Midday on 6th of January, 2024 in front of St Peters Church, West Street
Like concerned citizens all over the world, a group of Drogheda people have been gathering outside St. Peter’s Church at Midday each Saturday recently to register their disgust at the mass murder of innocent civilians, including many thousands of children, in Palestine.
There is not much more that they as ordinary individuals can do about the situation. They have organised under the name of ‘Drogheda stands with Palestine’ and they’ll be gathering again this coming Saturday and would love as many people as possible to join them.
The ferocity of the war crimes being orchestrated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Palestine has horrified right thinking people around the world.
Stephanie Kirwan, a spokesperson for the Drogheda Stands with Palestine group, told Drogheda Life that since October 7th, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed the lives of over 31,000 people. Majority of the persons killed in this on-going war were Palestinian (30,000) with nearly 12,000 innocent children killed in the line of fire.
“Although it is noted that this war escalated on October 7th after the unprecedented Palestinian group Hamas attack, this conflict has been ongoing for more than 70 years” Ms Kirwan said. “Palestinians have been forced to live under occupation by Israel since 1948. Palestinians have been subject to continued killing, shelling and bombardment by the Israeli Defence Forces.
“Since the October 7th attack, the Israeli form of attack has increased to a level that we, concerned individuals could have never imagined. As we speak, a genocide is occurring.
“The people of Drogheda have been coming together each week to speak out against these horrendous attacks to say ‘Not in Our Name’. We have united in our concern as to what is happening to the innocent people in Gaza.
“We are coming together to say it is not OK to kill nearly 12,000 children in 86 days. It is not OK to kill nearly 6,000 women in 86 days. It is not OK to displace nearly 2 million people in 86 days. We are coming together to remember those who have died and fight for those who are living.
“We, a group of concerned individuals, are coming together every Saturday at 12pm on West Street to voice our concern and join the millions of people around the world calling for an immediate ceasefire.”
In the coming weeks, ‘Drogheda Stands with Palestine’ will be arranging a number of events to raise awareness of this ongoing issue and raise vital funds for aid agencies working on the ground in Palestine. A Facebook group has been established to inform people about these activities. You can join the group here.
“We hope to see the people of Drogheda join us this Saturday 6th at 12pm on West Street (outside St Peters Church). Please bring any flags/posters you may have” Ms Kirwan said.
