Thousands of protestors from across Lancashire are expected to take part in a pro-Palestine rally this weekend.

The event is taking place on Sunday (3 March) with people assembling from 1.30pm at  Moor Park car park, close to the Deepdale Stadium in Preston.

The march is being organised by 'Children of the Ghetto' and organisers are expecting more than 4000 people to turn out.

Michael Lavalette from 'Children of the Ghetto said: "For close to 150 days, Gaza has been mercilessly bombed and tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed. We will be marching to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israel's genocidal war."

The march will proceed down Deepdale Road and through Church Street.  Marchers will include children from local towns who are expected to carry shrouds representing young Palestinian victims of the bombing of Gaza.

The procession will stop at the Flag Market where there will be a formal unfurling of the Palestinian flag, which is planned to be placed on a six metre pole and will fly proudly on behalf of the Palestinians.  

The event is being supported by a number of local groups including Lancaster4Palestine, Blackburn4Palestine, Chorley4Palestine, Accrington4Palestine, Stop the War, Lancashire Council of Mosques, the Lancashire Association of Trades Union Council, and the Friends of Al-Aqsa.

Shaheen Osmani from Blackburn4Palestine said: "For months now the Israelis have bombed schools, hospitals, churches and mosques and killed tens of thousands of men  women and children. We'll be coming from Blackburn to add our voice to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire."

Mukhtar Master from Children of the Ghetto added: "In solidarity with the Palestinian people, the following hour after the flag is put up will be considered to be free Palestinian territory at the Flag Market. I urge as many people as possible to join us in our symbolic display of unity and support with the Palestinians."

Eugene Doherty, chair of Lancaster and Morecombe Trades Council is planning to join the march

Eugene said: “We are travelling in a car-convoy from Lancaster to join the demonstration. It's vital that the people of Lancashire come together to demand an end to the Israeli attacks."

People hoping to join the march should assemble at Moor Park car park opposite PNE from 1:30pm.