86 Day Peace Walk started from Dublin
international |
anti-war / imperialism |
news report
Sunday May 13, 2007 16:43
by Justin Morahan
To end in London
A small core group of hardy walkers will walk from Dublin to London via Belfast, Faslane and Sellafield to remind everyone of the nuclear threat to the planet and its inhabitants. They started this morning.
The marathon peace walk for a Nuclear Free Future started from the General Post Office in Dublin at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday May 13 2007. The walk is being organized by Footprints for Peace and walkers are invited to walk from Dublin to Belfast, crossing to Scotland where they will vigil at Britain Trident base at Faslane and from there walk to London, where the walk will end on 4 August 2007. Although billed as an Inter-faith walk all are welcome to join for long or short periods. even for one or two steps.
In Dublin this morning over 30 walkers and well-wishers gathered to initiate the walk. Present were the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Aodhan O'Riordan, MEP Proinsias de Rossa, Aonghus Ó Snodaigh, TD, Senator David Norris, former MEP and Dáil candidate Patricia McKenna, all of whom addressed the walkers and wished them well on their journey. There were also individual impromptu speakers from AfrI, CND, IAWM, Peace People, and others.
Campaign literature says:"Today there is an urgent call for global action to break the cycle of mass destruction created by mining of uranium,enrichment process, nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons, use of depleted uranium, disposal of radioactive waste" The walkers hope to work with local communities to raise public awareness about the suffering and coercion that communities throughout the world face by the nuclear industry.
Points along the way: Swords (13th), Skerries(14th), Drogheda (15th) Ardee,(16th) Dundalk (17th), Newry (19th), Banbridge, (20th) Lisburn (21st), Belfast (22nd), Faslane (28th), Sellafield (22nd June), Leeds (5th July), London (4 August)
Contact 07881425531, emaik ka@footprintsfor peace.net
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Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Here are other pictures from Dublin's opening day
Sister Lelia and friend
Patricia McKenna
Aengus O Snodaigh
Impromptu drama
Gearóid Kigannon speaking
is Eoin Dinan, not Gearóid K
on the right, Colm Roddy was a bit late for the walk but caught up around Drumcondra where he proposed to spend some time with his poster outside the Taoiseach's office.
He told me that he and Mark Price had picketed the office during the week and when a car approached carrying the Taoiseach, a window opened and the words "Howya, lads" were spoken by Mr Ahern.
"Get those US military to hell out of Shannon" said Colm in response, at which point, he says there was an end to the joviality.
Dunmurry is less than 5 miles from Belfast and there are plenty of people in the vicinity who want to see a better world for children everywhere. Footprints for Peace are giving us the opportunity to say what we don't want for them - an unthinkable wasteland of nuclear war, weapons and waste. Let's play a part in saying "Yes" to a Nuclear Free World - come out and greet the walkers on 22nd May and if you are able, walk the walk to Belfast or even a few hundred yards through the village with them and spread the word to your friends and neighbours. The future depends on our present actions, help make it better.
Hey---good photos of the start of the walk. Congrats to those who have spent last few years to prepare for it, to those who will be walking and supporting and welcoming walkers along the way!
Yes, there are much to do to make this world a nuclear free one,however, we can walk towards it together.
Please remember that we all walk with you in spirit, always pray that each step be safe, send love and support to you all.
Peace!
Walkers in Dundalk....
Pics by Daniel Viesnik..
Greetings in Dundalk...
Walk for a Nuclear Free Future at the border....
Pics by Daniel Viesnik...
Crossing the border...
Mayor Michael Carr hosted the walkers in Newry.
About a year ago Mayor Carr and Newry councillors pssed the following decision....
The Newry and Mourne District Council is deeply concerned that a UK Government commitment to a new nuclear generation will perpetuate the risks carried out by communities in Ireland as a result of radioactive discharges to the Irish Sea, nuclear transportation through the Irish Sea and of nuclear accidents or possible terrorist incidents.
It could also create the conditions for nuclear development on the island of Ireland with associated direct operational hazards and radioactive waste arising.
Sellafield in Cumbria and Wylfa in Ynys Mon/Anglesey have both been suggested as possible locations for new nuclear power stations on the west coast of the UK, presenting particular risks tot he Irish communities as a result of their proximity.
Newry and Mourne District Council therefore opposes the construction of nuclear power stations throughout Britain and Ireland; urges the development of safe sustainable renewable energy generation and greater investment in decentralised energy generation and efficiency programmes that can create employment, improve living standards and more effectively tackle climate change that it is accelerating global warming and formally resolves to support the Nuclear Free Local Authority campaign.
Pic by Daniel Viesnik...
Altogether now...
Join the Walk and/or meet the walkers at the following points/events over the next few days....
Mon, 21 May: Banbridge – Lisburn via A1
4.30pm – arrival & civic reception at Island Centre, Lisburn
Tues, 22 May: Lisburn to Belfast via Belfast Rd/Lisburn Rd/Gt Vic St
8.15am – leave Market Sq, Lisburn
11.30am – leave Dunmurry Pk., Dunmurry
4pm – arrive City Hall
Wed, 23 May: Belfast programme day
7.30pm – ‘Peacekeeping and conflict intervention in military and nonviolent traditions’
Kevin McCormack, veteran Irish Army peacekeeper, Tony Kemspter, vice-president, International Peace Bureau.
Thurs 24 May: Belfast programme day (International Womens' Day for Peace & Disarmament)
9am – City Hall, walk to Stormont
7.30pm – Frederick St FMH. Benefit for Mordechai Vanunu, Israeli whistle-blower & information evening on the peace walk.
Contact walk organisers KA/Marcus: 0788 142 5531
More details:
make.trident.history@ntlworld.com
quaker.peace.committee@ntlworld.com