Cross Vigil Day 34

DAY 34: Saturday 17 October

Today is a day we had been looking forward to. This was the day for our Human Peace Wall. Thankfully the sun was very kind to us, but more than that, the people came together. We wondered would it ever happen. Would people really come together from across the dividing all? But regardless of the apprehensions and the difficulties, they did. Several hundred linked arms as they stretched through the gates. This turned out to be an amazing event.

We were a bit concerned that for media attention we were competing against the opening of the City Hall after the government spent £11Mil on refurbishment, and the funeral of Stephen Gately of Boyszone was taking place in Dublin, but the newspapers and the main television companies were out in force. During the 15 minute event one woman sat in her car because politically she did not feel it was appropriate to be part of the Human Peace Wall. She afterwards she wished she had joined in and that she sat and cried her car as she saw the people coming together as they did. I think says it all about politics in Northern Ireland! or I suppose the world over!

Symbolic bridge over the gates. Peter Corry (with sunglasses) our guest celebrity checking out the platform.

 Some of the crowd starting to gather, including Leo the Lion

          Gathering on either of and between the gates

After a 10 second countdown the people move onto the road

   The line of people stretches through the gates that have divided the people for 40 years

After a few moments of silence to respect the passing of Stephen Gately, whose funeral was taking place at the same time in Dublin, four young Catholics and Protestants climbed the symbolic bridge from either side and greeted one another at the top before loosing a banner with the words United in Hope. They stayed on the bridge as Peter Corry took to the mic, having been formally introduced by a very nervous looking Patricia Lewsley who had climbed to the top of the bridge to stand alongside the young people.  

   Peter entertains the people with two amazing songs that concluded with the release of 400 coloured balloons

On the right is the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young, Patricia Lewsley, who attended the event and introduced Peter Corry, receives flowers from Tracey Seawright and Leoni Scott.

Thanks to everyone who came along and joined in; to those who participated in the event, and to those who helped with the set up of the symbolic bridge, the banner, the sound and the balloons etc.

After the event was over it was back to standing with the cross until 3 pm.

Still being a God influence.

Jack