Bloomberg Visit - Peace Vigil for Ballymote

sligo | anti-war / imperialism | news report Tuesday August 15, 2006 14:45 by Joe Flanagan - Sligo Anti War Group Ballymote, Co. Sligo. 087-6296899

The Sligo Anti War group and Palestine Solidarity Campaign will hold a Peace Vigil in Ballymote, Co Sligo, on Tuesday morning next (August 22nd) in solidarity with the people of Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq. Those participating are asked to assemble outside the Pastoral Centre (opposite the Catholic Church) at 10.30.a.m.

The peace demonstration will take place near the site of the Michael Corcoran monument, which is to be unveiled by Mayor Bloomberg of New York, at 11.00.a.m.

Anti War activist Mr Joe Flanagan, said today “the great majority of people in Sligo and Ireland have made it clear that they very much oppose Israel’s war against the Lebanese and Palestinian people. This is in stark contrast to the statement issued by Mayor Bloomberg in which he endorsed the Israeli war of aggression and in which he praised President Bush and his cabinet for their continued support of the Israeli regime.

“While we all hope and pray that the ceasefire will hold - the fact is that the Israeli regime, supported by the Bush administration, has committed massive war crimes against the defenceless civilian population of Lebanon. Over a thousand civilians have been killed, thousands more have been injured and nearly a million men, women and children have been displaced while Lebanon’s infrastructure has been almost totally destroyed.

“Given the circumstances we are disappointed that Deputy Perry has insisted on Mayor Bloomberg unveiling the monument to Michael Corcoran. We had hoped that he might have invited some other prominent person or a representative of the Sligo community in New York to do the unveiling.

“We are hopeful that local people from Ballymote will participate in the peace vigil. We are asking everyone, including our local elected representatives, not to attend the unveiling or any function where Mayor Bloomberg is the guest of honour. They have a choice. They can support Bloomberg, Israel and the Bush administration or they can stand with ordinary people in demanding peace and justice in the Middle East.” said Mr Flanagan.