Ballymena vigil held calling for end to Gaza violence

North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan and Ballymena Sinn Féin Councillor Bréanainn Lynas

A roadside vigil was held in Ballymena on Saturday, 6 September, as part of a global day of action calling for an end to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The event, which drew more than 100 participants, was organised to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The conflict escalated in October 2023 when terrorist organisation Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking hundreds of hostages, including women and children.

Israel responded with a sustained military campaign in Gaza, saying its actions were aimed at dismantling Hamas. Since then, civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza have continued to rise, drawing international concern and calls for a ceasefire.

North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan commended those who turned out in Ballymena and across Ireland to take part in demonstrations.

“Saturday was a global day of action and the people of Ballymena, and the people across this island, joined millions across the world who find the ongoing activities and genocide perpetuated by the Israeli government in Gaza as barbaric and want it to stop immediately,” he said.

Mr McGuigan added:

“For almost 2 years now the Israeli regime has targeted and killed women and children in Gaza, indiscriminately targeting civilian populations, schools and hospitals.

“We have now reached the stage were the UN have declared a famine in Gaza. Children are starving while the Israeli government blocks food, medicines and other necessary aid from getting in.

“This is a stain on humanity.

“It is a dark time for humanity, and it is a dark time for the world, and it must shock the world into action.

“As seen here in Ballymena and across North Antrim, thankfully there are many people who will continue to shine a light on the actions of the what is happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza until the actions of the Israeli government cease.”

Ballymena Sinn Féin Councillor Bréanainn Lynas also spoke following the event, emphasising the significance of the local turnout.

“Today in Ballymena, over 100 people came together to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and to call for an end to the ongoing Genocide,” he said.

“The turnout today showed that good people will not stand idly by and let evil win, we will not do nothing, we will not stay silent.

“83% of the deaths in Gaza are civilians. They are illegally occupied and blockaded since 2007. There is apartheid in the Westbank and East Jerusalem. Of course there is going to be resistance to that occupation and genocide, but that pales in comparison to the military power of Israel. They have decided to ethnically cleanse and kill the Palestinian people rather than negotiate with them because they have the power to do so.”

The vigil in Ballymena formed part of wider demonstrations across Ireland and globally, held to highlight calls for an immediate end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.