Thanks to the town elders for standing up for Peace in the Middle East at the weekly Salisbury Peace Vigil.
There is a group of people in Salisbury who have given their time to spend 97 Saturdays in a row standing outside the library at 5 pm calling for peace for all those in the Middle East, particularly for the people in Gaza.
I am proud of these, mainly elderly, citizens for standing quietly and with dignity, to bear witness to the horrifying events we have seen every day on TV and on our phones and to call for it to stop.
Last week at the Vigil, I heard a passerby ask why it was all old people standing there. Perhaps it's because they are a generation who lived closer to World War 2 with parents who were directly affected by the senseless horror of war. Perhaps they can imagine what it means when UNICEF reports that "an average of 28 children are killed in Gaza every day, the equivalent of an entire classroom". Perhaps they just have more wisdom than the rest of us and know "hate breeds hate", as one of their posters reads.
Salisbury Elders stand up for peace(Image: Sarah Nicholson Barbour)
This is not a demonstration but rather a silent vigil. As one of the group says, "silence is more powerful than words". There are no chants and no arguments.
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As the weeks have passed, more people attend, and sometimes there have been more than 50 people there. Now the world waits as we hope the fragile ceasefire will hold. I think that the group will continue to bear witness to the actions on all sides. We hope for a just peace and safety for all.
The group would love to have more younger members. Growing our numbers is still important even with the ceasefire, as the situation is not resolved. Our government must take notice that UK citizens want it to fulfil its pledge to support a viable Palestinian State.
On November 1, the 100th Peace Vigil will take place. Will you join us outside the library at 5 pm and give 30 minutes of your time?
See Facebook page: Sarum Concern for Israel / Palestine
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