Blanket with square for each child killed in Gaza brings silence to bustling Dublin street

A silent protest filled Dublin's normally bustling Grafton Street on Saturday afternoon as a handcrafted blanket, nearly 60 meters long, was carried through the crowds to remember the children killed in Gaza. Approximately 150 members and supporters of Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine and the Craftivism for Palestine group participated in the slow, wordless procession. The "Granny Square for Gaza" blanket has garnered international attention, featuring 3,000 crocheted or knitted squares. Each square, adorned with Palestinian colors and symbols, represents 10 children who have died in Israeli attacks since October 7th, 2023. Niamh Bonner, the project's coordinator, explained that the blanket started with 1,300 squares last May and grew to its current size, now weighing 40 kilograms. "We've had to stop at 3,000 because it's got so big, it's hard to move around," she stated, noting that it now represents 30,000 deceased children. Bonner expressed concern that the number of children represented might need to increase significantly, fearing that "eventually each square will represent, not 10 children, but 100 or more." The blanket has been displayed at 70 events across Ireland since July of the previous year, and Bonner believes it effectively raises awareness in ways traditional protests might not. "It's a visual representation that helps to explain how big the number of child deaths is," she said. "A number is just a figure but you watch how long it takes the blanket to go by and there's a much greater impact." She added that the visual display also attracts individuals who might be hesitant to join typical protests involving banners and chanting. Participants also carried messages urging the public to avoid Teva medical products, support Gazan students denied visas for Irish universities, and call on the Irish government to block the sale of Israeli war bonds in the EU. The protest highlighted the perceived complicity of Ireland in the war on Gaza, particularly concerning the upcoming resumption of facilitating war bond sales.

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We've had to stop at 3,000 because it's got so big, it's hard to move around so it represents 30,000 dead children.