“The Bangor Peace Movement is bringing people from across our community together in a series of events and vigils, initially spurred by the unrelenting suffering in Gaza.
We are a strictly non-politically-affiliated gathering of individuals from diverse backgrounds. While we hold different beliefs, what unites us urgently in this moment is a shared commitment to humanity and the sanctity of life. We believe it is vital to create a space here in Bangor where anyone who feels the urgency of this crisis can stand up simply but strongly for humanity.
There is a lot of pressure to “take sides” in a conflict but we say it is incumbent on us all to stand on the side of life, of peace, and of international humanitarian law. To that end, we avoid flag symbolism and instead emphasise internationally recognised symbols of peace – a dove, candles of remembrance, flowers.
Our aim is to stand against the suffering inflicted on our fellow human beings.
We uphold the core principle of the value of human life.
We promote the principles of negotiation and nonviolence.
There must be no place for starvation, brutality against children, or the targeting of innocent civilians.
We support calls for the release of all captives.
We stand on the side of peace and humanity.
That such horrors persist today, despite international agreement on human rights since World War II, demonstrates a serious erosion of our shared values of compassion and love. International law must be applied consistently.
Children are always innocent, whether they are a Palestinian child, an Israeli child, or a child from Sudan, Congo, Ukraine, Iran, Lebanon or any other conflict zone.
We lament the descent into conflict with Iran.
History has shown us, again and again, that so-called “justified” or “necessary” wars, whether described as having the aim of regime change, or any other reason, are paid for with civilian lives.
We oppose ideological divisions that fuel suffering, and condemn both antisemitism and Islamophobia, affirming our shared humanity.
The world needs peace. We are calling for an end to the violence that steals our hope for a better future.
We invite everyone to join our peace vigils, to show how widespread this call is, and urge our government to take meaningful action to get aid in now, before more people die of starvation and lack of basic medicines. The need could not be more urgent.”
