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The annual Camlough Mountain Christmas morning climb will return for its 16th year on 25 December, offering participants a chance to show solidarity with the Palestinian people while raising funds for Gaza relief efforts.
The climb up Sliabh gCuircin will begin at 9am on Christmas morning. Before setting off, there will be a gathering at the Raymond McCreesh mural at 8.45am in an act of solidarity with pro-Palestinian prisoners currently on hunger strike in British jails.
Councillor Declan Murphy said it was extremely concerning that eight pro-Palestinian prisoners have felt they have no other recourse than to protest their prison conditions by going on hunger strike. The Sinn Féin representative explained that these prisoners are protesting their prolonged pre-trial detention, with some having been held for over a year without trial. He said the right to a fair trial, including reasonable bail conditions, is an absolute right that must be protected in any democratic society.
Cllr Murphy added that with every passing hour, this situation becomes more dangerous, endangering the lives of the protesters, and it is time for the British Prime Minister to find an immediate resolution to this protest. He concluded that no one should be criminalised for legitimately protesting against war crimes, adding that in a world that has failed to prevent a genocide against the Palestinian people, we will always stand with those who strive for justice.
Pat McGinn, speaking about the popular climb, said that all are welcome on Christmas morning. On return to the village, the management and staff of Café Mon Abri invite all to call in for a hot drink and refreshments. There will be donation boxes in Café Mon Abri for anyone wishing to make a donation to the Palestine Medical Relief Society.
McGinn added "Our annual climb up Sliabh gCuircin (Camlough mountain) will once again express our unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people. We can never accept the normalisation of genocide".
