#clwyd

My former life...

Swallow Falls, Clwyd, Wales (flickr)

Llandudno is home to a 700 meter, Grade 2 listed pier which began life in the latter half of the nineteen century and was voted "Pier of the Year" in 2005.

It is home to an amusement arcade, several stores and a a cafe. There is also a landing stage which used to accomodate vessels from the Isle Of Man.

A large-scale demo in Rhyl calling for peace in Palestine attracted about 500 people. Prestatyn’s Voices for Peace and other peace groups across North Wales organised the march which took place on Saturday, April 13.  Participants walked through Rhyl Town Centre to a rally at the Events Arena. Banners and Palestinian flags were waved in the sunshine and people chanted ‘Free, free Palestine’ and ‘Ceasefire now’.

Many shopkeepers came out to cheer the marchers on.  Catherine Platt, Chair of the Prestatyn group, said: “Saturday’s march was a historic day for North Wales, where hundreds of people came from far and wide to call for peace in Palestine. Their calls were unified, the suffering must stop.   "Some of the speakers have first-hand experience of the horrors that have been taking place in Palestine for over six months now, their testimony must be heard. We hope our leaders listen to these cries.”

Dr Sian Arfon-Miners, from Bangor, said: “The event shone a light on the terrible suffering experienced by the Palestinian people. As well as over 33,000 deaths, there have been 158,000 injuries many of which have affected children. These injuries often include fractures, nerve and spinal cord injuries, amputations, brain trauma and burns.

“In addition, 30 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals have been bombed, many repeatedly, even while medical staff, patients and civilians seeking shelter remain inside. It is simply an unimaginable level of suffering, and it is vital that the conflict ends immediately.”

[...]

David McKnight, of Stop the War Cymru, said: "As the events of the last week have made clear, the war in Gaza risks igniting the entire region.” “The only way to prevent this escalation is to end the genocide in Gaza and for western governments, particularly our own and the US, to cease supplying weapons to Israel.”

“We often talk about Wales’s proud history of peace campaigning, anti-militarism, and international solidarity. That’s why we’ll continue to march, to hold vigils, rallies, and demonstrations, to ensure that we build a future of peace, and a world without war, together.”