Glasgow activists commemorate Rachel Corrie anniversary
Anon | 19.03.2007 21:56 | Anti-militarism | History | Palestine | World
A small but dedicated contingent of Glasgow activists gathered on Friday afternoon in Glasgow city centre to mark the 4th anniversary of the tragic death of American human rights activist Rachel Corrie.
Corrie was killed on the 16th March 2003 by an Israeli army bulldozer while helping to highlight the plight of the oppressed Palestinians and prevent the unlawful demolition of homes in the Gaza strip.
At the time her death caused international outrage, and the purpose of the afternoons' event was to commemorate her death and offer a moments reflection for both Rachel's life and the suffering of the Palestinians living under the continuing grip of Israeli occupation.
Around 20 people braved high winds and heavy rain to attend the event, including representatives from the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign and Scottish Jews for a Just Peace.
Owing to a packed schedule and prior engagements, a brief, whistle-stop appearance at the event by the Ambassador of the Palestinian General Delegation to the UK, Professor Manuel Hassassian of Bethlehem University - who was on a visit to Scotland - failed to materialise.
However, heartfelt well wishes were received from the Ambassador, including a call to "keep up the good work" to the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign who help financially support (through public donations and sales of Palestinian crafts and Middle Eastern themed goods) a number of students and projects in Palestine, including a nurse studying at Bethlehem University.
The Ambassador attended a number of important functions in the city during the course of the day, including a visit with the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Liz Cameron in the splendid surroundings of the city's magnificent municipal hall, the City Chambers; a religious reception with Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Conti at the Archdiocesan headquarters; an academic reception hosted by Glasgow University and attended by representatives from both the University, the Scottish Parliament and elsewhere; a public meeting hosted by Palestine Solidarity Campaign (UK) - Glasgow Branch; and an official dinner with city dignitaries, politicians and grassroots activists at historic Glasgow hostelry, The Millennium Hotel.
Formerly known as the Copthorne Hotel, Winston Churchill and President Franklin D Roosevelt's Special Adviser and de facto Deputy President, Harry Hopkins, have both walked its hallowed corridors, holding an important meeting there at the height of the Second World War where they discussed and finalised America's eventual support for the allied forces, which proved crucial in helping defeat the genocidal tide of Nazi aggression, and completely changed the map of Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
A representative from the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign, respected supporter and Glasgow businessman, Mr Mohammed Elias, attended the Ambassadorial dinner on the campaign's behalf.
Two long-term members of the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign, who were both in attendance at the Rachel Corrie event, also helped man both a vigil and a fund-raising stall during the outdoor commemorative event - despite recent serious ill-health - and were also joined by two close friends of Rachel Corrie who were present with her in Palestine when she was tragically killed.
One of Rachel's friends, together with a fellow member of the Scottish Jewish community - a senior lecturer at Glasgow University - movingly recited the Jewish mourner's Kaddish prayer, while two members of Glasgow's Muslim community performed a similar act of reverence and respect according to Islamic tradition. Individual representatives from Glasgow's Christian and secular communities were also in attendance.
The event closed, as it began, with a distribution of flyers containing extracts from some of Rachel's many email dispatches - written while she was in Palestine before her death - where she very eloquently, humanely and sensitively described the complex and horrific situation in the country.
At the time her death caused international outrage, and the purpose of the afternoons' event was to commemorate her death and offer a moments reflection for both Rachel's life and the suffering of the Palestinians living under the continuing grip of Israeli occupation.
Around 20 people braved high winds and heavy rain to attend the event, including representatives from the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign and Scottish Jews for a Just Peace.
Owing to a packed schedule and prior engagements, a brief, whistle-stop appearance at the event by the Ambassador of the Palestinian General Delegation to the UK, Professor Manuel Hassassian of Bethlehem University - who was on a visit to Scotland - failed to materialise.
However, heartfelt well wishes were received from the Ambassador, including a call to "keep up the good work" to the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign who help financially support (through public donations and sales of Palestinian crafts and Middle Eastern themed goods) a number of students and projects in Palestine, including a nurse studying at Bethlehem University.
The Ambassador attended a number of important functions in the city during the course of the day, including a visit with the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Liz Cameron in the splendid surroundings of the city's magnificent municipal hall, the City Chambers; a religious reception with Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Conti at the Archdiocesan headquarters; an academic reception hosted by Glasgow University and attended by representatives from both the University, the Scottish Parliament and elsewhere; a public meeting hosted by Palestine Solidarity Campaign (UK) - Glasgow Branch; and an official dinner with city dignitaries, politicians and grassroots activists at historic Glasgow hostelry, The Millennium Hotel.
Formerly known as the Copthorne Hotel, Winston Churchill and President Franklin D Roosevelt's Special Adviser and de facto Deputy President, Harry Hopkins, have both walked its hallowed corridors, holding an important meeting there at the height of the Second World War where they discussed and finalised America's eventual support for the allied forces, which proved crucial in helping defeat the genocidal tide of Nazi aggression, and completely changed the map of Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
A representative from the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign, respected supporter and Glasgow businessman, Mr Mohammed Elias, attended the Ambassadorial dinner on the campaign's behalf.
Two long-term members of the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign, who were both in attendance at the Rachel Corrie event, also helped man both a vigil and a fund-raising stall during the outdoor commemorative event - despite recent serious ill-health - and were also joined by two close friends of Rachel Corrie who were present with her in Palestine when she was tragically killed.
One of Rachel's friends, together with a fellow member of the Scottish Jewish community - a senior lecturer at Glasgow University - movingly recited the Jewish mourner's Kaddish prayer, while two members of Glasgow's Muslim community performed a similar act of reverence and respect according to Islamic tradition. Individual representatives from Glasgow's Christian and secular communities were also in attendance.
The event closed, as it began, with a distribution of flyers containing extracts from some of Rachel's many email dispatches - written while she was in Palestine before her death - where she very eloquently, humanely and sensitively described the complex and horrific situation in the country.
Anon