Pax Christi vigil at Foreign office in memory of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh
Members of Pax Christi, the International Catholic Movement for Peace, held in a silent vigil outside the Foreign Office in London yesterday (Thursday 11th May), in memory of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
A year ago, on May 11th, Shireen was killed as she and her Al Jazeera colleagues were covering an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) raid on Jenin Refugee Camp in the West Bank. On a visit to Palestine earlier this year, a Pax Christi Delegation met with members of Shireen’s family who have been friends of Pax Christi for a number of years. Tony, Shireen’s brother, was able to tell the delegation more of the story of the events surrounding her death and her funeral which you can read here
Since her death, Shireen’s family have worked tirelessly, calling for justice for her killing yet feel they have been abandoned by the International Community. The PCI delegation promised that Pax Christi would both mark the anniversary of Shireen’s death and call for accountability and Justice.
Twelve months on from her killing, Pax Christi is asking members and supporters to pray and take action to support the family’s campaign. Here are some suggestions for the action you could take:
- watch a short biography of Shireen here
- tell Shireen’s story;
- light a candle and hold in prayer the family and friends of Shireen Abu Akleh who, a year on, are still asking for accountability and for Justice;
- include prayers and hold silent vigils in your community for justice and for an end to the occupation of Palestine;
- send messages of solidarity and prayer to Shireen’s family via her family member in our Pax Christi Partners in Bethlehem aei@p-ol.com or to us at info@paxchristi.org.uk
- download this Small Poster
