International Day of Peace: No to War

On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, a great moment of gathering for peace », with in particular « an important initiative in Paris » this Saturday, September 21.

« To make the International Day of Peace 2024 a great moment of gathering », the National Collective of Peace Marches will organize a mobilization on Saturday, September 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Place de la République, in Paris.

« Whether in the Middle East, Africa, Yemen, or Ukraine, wars continue, each one as cruel as the other, with their processions of destruction, massacres of civilian populations including thousands of children », points out the collective which brings together more than 200 organizations, including associations (Peace Movement, Human Rights League, MRAP, UJFP, Attac, Apeis, Femmes solidaires …), unions (CGT, FSU, Solidaires …) etc. « We cannot remain silent in the face of this tragedy that is affecting Palestinian civilians, » he said.

Several hundred protesters gathered this Saturday afternoon at Place de la République in Paris, to call for peace and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The protesters held up placards with messages such as « Solidarity with Gaza », « Palestine will live, Palestine will win », and « Stop the occupation ». Chants such as « Gaza, Paris is with you » echoed throughout the afternoon.

The organizers of the demonstration hope that this call for peace will be heard and that the international community will finally take concrete measures to end the violence in Gaza.

This demonstration in Paris comes in the context of Israeli violence that has been ongoing for more than 11 months in the Gaza Strip, following a cross-border attack by Hamas. More than 42,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in the war waged by Israel, and more than 95,000 others injured, according to data from the Ministry of Health of the Gaza government.

While after the attacks in Lebanon, the Middle East is looming and after more than two years of war in Ukraine, the diplomatic path is still struggling to find its way, the collective wants to send a strong message in order to « stop an escalation of wars and conflicts that will inevitably lead to even more deaths, injuries and destruction, or even to a global extension of the war and the crazy, but possible, use of nuclear weapons ».

« The logic of war only leads to failures. They lead to chaos and give birth to monstrosities of which civilian populations, and first and foremost women and children, are always victims,” add the signatories who denounce the “unacceptable increase in global military spending which has just reached the staggering and unprecedented amount of 2,420 billion dollars in 2023.”

To convey this message, multiple demonstrations and rallies are being organized on Saturday, September 21 across France, before the peace rally in Paris from September 22 to 24.

The 38th international peace meeting will be held in Paris from September 22 to 24. This gathering of heads of state, representatives of different religions, academics and members of NGOs aims to seek together a common path towards peace.

The Archbishop of Paris, Mgr Laurent Ulrich and the President of Sant’Egidio, Andrea Riccardi see the Paris Olympic Games as an inspiration. The feeling of unity experienced this summer through sport is a source of inspiration for both men. The speakers will be inspired by this group spirit to reflect on a common future under the banner of peace.

Understanding then the interest that the different actors have, whether they are heads of state, religions, NGOs, to engage in dialogue to collectively seek peace, the French president joined forces with the Archbishop of Paris when he invited the community created following the Vatican Council II to organize the 38th international gathering for peace in Paris.

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Gabriel MIHAI

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