Athlone Stands With Palestine!
For the third year in a row, Éirígí activists in the Midlands assisted the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign in organising their annual New Year’s Eve Vigil.
Despite the horrendous weather, over thirty people turned up to take part in the vigil, assembling at the Athlone Brigade Monument in Custume Place.
Éirígí’s Midlands representative Mickey Moran addressed those in attendance at the start of the vigil,
“We have gathered at this spot over the last number of years for the annual New Year’s Eve solidarity vigil with Palestine, and it is fantastic to see so many people turn out again this year. We chose to hold the vigil at this statue as we feel it is a very apt place in which to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
Moran continued,
“The names on the side of this statue are those of the local men of the Athlone Brigade, Irish Republican Army. Those men were living under a brutal occupation too, and just like the heroic people of Palestine they rose up - they refused to accept their fate! Although the occupation of our country still continues, we will never forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the fight for Irish freedom. It is for this reason that we stand steadfast behind the Palestinian people in their fight against the Zionist occupation of their land.”
The vigil lasted for about 40 minutes, with many passersby lending their enthusiastic support. Some of the children in the crowd led the chanting, with those present giving a great response.
Check out the Facebook and Instagram pages of the Athlone Palestinian Solidarity Campaign to keep up to date with any future Palestinian solidarity events planned in Athlone.