Cork Solidarity Vigil for the Slain Freedom Flotilla Activists, 1st June 2010.

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Tuesday June 01, 2010 23:05

by Ray - Cork WSM (pers. cap.)

Cork's Palestinian solidarity activists bear witness on Patrick Street to Israel's latest atrocity

Between 6p.m. and 8p.m. this evening a dozen or more of the city's Palestine solidarity activists held a vigil on Patrick St. To remember the people slain when Israeli commandos wantonly attacked the Freedom Flotilla on its way to Gaza to break the illegal blockade imposed by Israel and deliver much-needed humanitarian aid.

Die-in, picture 1

This evening's vigil followed a well-attended static protest against Israel's murderous attack on the international aid convoy at Daunt Sq. this afternoon. The people at that protest went on to briefly picket the main supermarkets in the city centre to persuade shoppers to boycott Israeli produce and force that murderous rogue state to respect human rights and desist from their oppression of Palestinians and end the occupation of their land.

The vigil this evening mostly consisted of a 'die-in' on the footpath of Patrick St., followed by brief speechers from local solidarity activists Caroline and Kate. Caroline spoke of people's shock at the events of the last two days, of remembering those who have died in Palestine in the struggle to end the occupation and the toll the siege and military assaults of Gaza has taken on that vulnerable population, most notably children. She also spoke of how Israel's actions yesterday and today have further undermined that state's legitimacy among the community of nations and how its survival in its current form and posture is now much less probable. Kate spoke of the response of the Irish government to the kidnap and sequestering of its country's citizens (including Cork's own Dr. Fintan Lane) and said that the Taoiseach Brian Cowen's threat of serious consequences for future relations between Ireland and Israel should the latter engage in the same wanton aggression against the Irish-registered MV Rachel Corrie or otherwise harm Irish citizens was a welcome development.
As a final act, outlines of nineteen bodies were lightly painted onto the pavement of Patrick St. to symbolise those brave aid convoy members whose lives were cruelly taken in that premeditated slaughter by Israel's so-called 'Defence Forces'(sic.). The vigil will continue for the rest of the week at 6p.m. each evening on Patrick St. unless developing circumstances require further public action.

Die-in, picture 2

Caroline speaking to vigil observers and passers-by

One of the many cardboard crosses at the vigil

Cork city children helping with vigil preparations

save preference

Comments (7 of 7)

More photos from the vigil

Tue Jun 01, 2010 23:10

The second selection of photos from tonight's solidarity vigil.

Free Palestine!

Pat The picket and Denis. Old hands but good hands.

Nineteen body outlines on the city footpath - 1

Nineteen body outlines on the city footpath - 2

Nineteen body outlines on the city footpath - 3

Sunny Cork

by Bazooka Joe

Wed Jun 02, 2010 16:14

Well done on this. It's great to see people taking action and using street theatre to bring an extra dimension to a demonstration. The crosses might not be the best idea though considering the history of the cross in Palestine. May you continue your excellent efforts.

Solidarity protest this afternoon, but no vigil tonight or Friday

Thu Jun 03, 2010 16:49

The Cork Palestine Link activists and supporters held a static protest on Patrick Street today between 1p.m. and 3p.m. this afternoon. there was a reasonable attendance and public reaction was good. Just to let supporters know that the planned vigils for this evening and tomorrow (Friday) evening have been cancelled due to numbers of supporters leaving to go the Rossport solidarity Gathering this bank holiday weekend, and to conserve energy for the planned march in the city this Saturday at 1p.m. There will be a protest however on Patrick St. tomorrow afternoon (on the wide stretch between the Moderne clothes shop and the Body Shop) starting at 4pm.. All supporters are cordially invited to attend.

Photo from Freedom Flotilla solidarity protest this afternoon, Patrick St.

Correction to above...

Fri Jun 04, 2010 00:15

The Freedom Flotilla solidarity protest for tomorrow mentioned above is going to happen at 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and not 1 o'clock as previously mentioned. All other details are the same. Sorry about the crossed wires.

the saturday protest

by Person

Fri Jun 04, 2010 00:22

Is the Saturday protest still at 1pm??

Saturday 1pm goes ahead

by John Jefferies - WP

Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:17

Just to clear up the confusion, Ray's message was posted late last night and he was referring to the Friday demo for 4pm.

Saturday demo goes ahead at 1pm as originally planned.

Today's Freedom Flotilla solidarity protest on Patrick Street

Fri Jun 04, 2010 22:34

This afternoon's protest ran from 4:30 until after 6:00. The reception from pedestrians on Patrick St. was very good, and many signatures were collected on the petition to expel the Israeli ambassador Dr. Zion Evrony. Leaflets were handed out publicising tomorrow's protest march at 1:00 p.m. assembling outside Brown Thomas on Patrick St.