Camlough vigil to support nationwide ‘Hunger for Justice’ event in support of Palestinians

The aim is to highlight the ongoing campaign of genocide in Gaza and to raise funds for the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNWRA).

Mike Mathers, one of over 1,000 people throughout Ireland who have signed up for the 24 fast event, spoke about his participation in the ‘Hunger for Justice’ event.

He said: “The aim of the organisers of the ‘Hunger for Justice’ 24 hour fast is to get at least 1,000 people across the island of Ireland to participate and to encourage people not only to take part in the fast but to organise an event in their local area on the day.

"Monies are also being raised for the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) and a donations can be placed into our donation box which will be available at the Camlough candlelight vigil.”

Mike continued, “The ‘Hunger for Justice# 24 hour fast and our candlelight vigil in the village of Camlough, the home of 1981 Hunger striker Raymond McCreesh is open to all. It is a totally inclusive event.

"We want to solely to highlight the ongoing genocide and to attract the greatest number of people to participate and to raise funds for UNRWA.”

Pat McGinn, from the ‘Gaels Against Genocide’ group which is coordinating the Camlough vigil event, explained: “In August, Laurence McKeown along with three other 1980/1981 republican hunger strikers - Jackie McMullan, Leo Green, and John Pickering - took part in a 24-hour fast to highlight the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

"They organised it in conjunction with the Nenagh Friends Of Palestine group who had, by then, been organising 24-hour fasts each day since April 15.

"Given that they were former H-Block hunger strikers their fasts attracted much attention.

"As a result of the success of the August fast they decided, again with Nenagh Friends Of Palestine, to organise this 24-hour fast where all participants would engage in it on the same day.

"Any funds raised will go to UNRWA, who Apartheid Israel have recently banned as part of their longstanding campaign against the right of return. As UNRWA is the main provider of aid in the region thousands will now face malnutrition and starvation. Mike Mathers who is participating in the 24 hour fast will be collecting donations for UNRWA at the Camlough vigil.”