Copenhagen venues raise over 40,000 DKK for journalists in Palestine
17 venues across the city took part in the Palestine Freedom Hours fundraising campaign to raise vital funds for journalists
On Thursday 27 November, cafés, bars and restaurants in Copenhagen participated in a city-wide initiative to support Palestinian journalists. Venues across the city donated proceeds from peak trading hours to raise funds for Palestinian journalists and stand in solidarity with those risking their lives to keep the world informed on what is happening in Gaza.
Thanks to the generosity of participating venues and the guests who dined, drank and donated in them, the Palestine Freedom Hours initiative raised over 40,000 DKK in a single day.
Seventeen venues took part, including Pulp Bar, Sorte Firkant, Casamadre, Arabica, Nr 30, Kate’s Joint, Kølsters Tolv Haner, Marias Kaffebar, FAR, Shawarma Almalek, Sankt Pauli Bar and Jolene.
For Omar Al Sayed at Marias Kaffebar, the campaign provided an opportunity to honour the work of Palestinian journalists and raise public awareness:
“We found ourselves really connected to this campaign at Marias Kaffebar. We’ve already been supporting the Palestinian cause, and when it comes to journalists, we know that without them we would never have learned what was really happening in Palestine.”
Jonas at Pulp Bar in Nørrebo highlighted that while bars are often considered spaces for escapism, they can also provide a space for communities to speak openly about bigger issues:
“The situation in Gaza means a lot for people in our neighbourhood and community. Just because we serve drinks, that doesn’t mean that we can’t also deal with the issues that are in the world today, and [the bar] is a place you can have conversations you can’t have other places. Sometimes it’s a natural venue to broach these subjects and open dialogues.“
Riccardo Gira Giraldo, co-owner of the Italian restaurant Casamadre, expressed how important it is to support journalists working under extreme pressure:
“We like to do our small part, and we think it’s important to support people who risk their lives to show what’s going on.“
The funds raised during the campaign will be directed through IMS partner Filastiniyat – a trusted local organisation that amplifies the voices of women journalists and freelance journalists in Palestine.
Since 2018, IMS’ work in Palestine has focused on strengthening journalists’ capacity to deliver vital information during the ongoing conflict, while also promoting accountability and prioritising journalist safety. The genocide and extensive destruction in Gaza since October 2023 and the worsening crisis in the West Bank have made this work increasingly difficult. IMS remains deeply grateful to its partners on the ground who continue to carry out this vital work.
The money will go towards providing journalists with emergency financial aid, safe workspaces, electricity, internet access, clean water and temporary shelter. It will also go towards emergency packages containing hygiene supplies, winter clothing, blankets and mattresses.
Part of the funds will be used to create job opportunities for freelance journalists and photographers who wish to publish their work through Palestinian and regional media.
To continue supporting Palestinian journalists so that they can continue their important work, you can donate via the link below:
