Ógra Shinn Féin organise Palestine Solidarity Vigil on Garvaghy Road

armagh | anti-war / imperialism | press release Tuesday January 27, 2009 21:34 by Free Palestine - Ógra Shinn Féin osfnational at yahoo dot ie

Upper Bann Sinn Féin organised a white line vigil last weekend on the Garvaghy Road, to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Amongst those in attendance were Sinn Féin's Craigavon Council Group and the local Ógra Shinn Féin cumann.

Vigil organiser and Ógra activist Gemma McKenna said,

“On behalf of the organisers I would like to thank those who participated in the vigil and the public for their generous response. The hour-long vigil was organised to highlight the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza where thousands of people are presently displaced from their homes and left without the essential basic requirements of survival. Information on the crisis and ways to assist are available from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Committee, whose website is http://www.ipsc.org/ .Donations can also be given through the Irish Medical Aid for Palestine organisation, which can be contacted at IrishMedPal@yahoo.com.”

Upper Bann Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd who attended the vigil commented,

“This vigil was one of a number organised by Sinn Féin to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children have been left in a state of total depravation. These civilian victims need food water, medical supplies, and shelter.”

The Sinn Féin Assembly Member continued,

“The political crisis in Gaza can only be resolved by creating the conditions that bring about a permanent end to hostilities. International political leaders created the conditions that brought about this conflict and their present day successors have a moral responsibility to bring about the conditions for a permanent end to the conflict. However in the here and now thousands are suffering and are aim with this vigil is to draw attention to the need for immediate aid to relieve that suffering.”