THREE Clare activists will be among the speakers for an online event honouring South African humanitarian and anti-apartheid campaigner Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Irish peace and human rights organisation, Afri are organising the event which will be held online on Thursday (December 30th) from 8pm to 9pm to celebrate Tutu’s life.

Lahinch author and activist Ruairí McKiernan, South African activist and Knockalisheen Direct Provision centre resident Bulelani Mfaco, and Bellharbour poet and activist Sarah Clancy are among those involved in the event.

Archbishop Tutu was the patron of Afri for almost thirty years, after it hosted his first visit to Ireland 1984. Since then, Afri hosted the revered human rights leader several times, including in 1991 when he led the annual Afri famine walk in Doolough, Co Mayo. Afri helped lead the Irish campaign against apartheid and arranged for the Dunnes Stores strikers, who refused to handle South African fruit, to meet Tutu in London while on his way to collect the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. This meeting famously helped internationalise the campaign against apartheid, and the Irish campaign was later recognised by Nelson Mandela and others.

Ruairí said the event will be an important moment of reflection for one of the true great giants for peace and justice in the world. “At a time when we need more hope in the world, we need to look no further than the life of Desmond Tutu. He experienced the worst of humanity in apartheid South Africa, but despite everything, he persisted and led with courage, conviction, and joy. I remember hearing him speak in Galway in 2009, and he radiated an inner strength that I will never forget.

He was someone I looked up to, someone who wasn’t afraid to stand up for the people in Rossport, County Mayo when they were being beaten and abused for standing up to Shell. He stood up for the rights of the LGBT community and the Palestinian people. He campaigned on climate change, militarisation, and for a waiver on vaccine patents, something the Irish government has shamefully opposed. I think his legacy and his spirit will live on, and it is important that we gather to remember this great human and his unrelenting message that change is always possible when we are brave enough to act”.

Registration for the Celebration of the Life of Desmond Tutu event is free and information can be founded on Eventbrite.ie or at www.afri.ie

Related News

patrick larkin-2
Victim of serial West Clare sex abuser urges others to come forward
Feature image
Win Paris flights as a Clare Echo subscriber
le19 pat burke
'I fear for rural Clare's future' admits Burke
shane gilligan 1
Gilligan heads up digital & design at The Clare Echo
Latest News
newmarket celtic a 1
Newmarket Celtic finish off Ferrybank to catch spot in Munster Junior Cup semi-finals
clare v cork 19-03-23 seadna morey diarmuid ryan
Clare & Cork share spoils in lively league encounter
clare v derry 25-06-22 27 ciaran russell jamie alone
Derry dent Clare's hopes of staying in Division 2
lyndsey clarke
Clarke named in Irish U18's squad
shane gilligan 1
Gilligan heads up digital & design at The Clare Echo
Premium
clare v derry 25-06-22 27 ciaran russell jamie alone
Derry dent Clare's hopes of staying in Division 2
clare county development plan 1
'This is not our plan' - councillors criticise outside influence behind County Development Plan
caravans sixmilebridge train station encampment
Encampment at Sixmilebridge train station holding authorities 'to ransom' - claims Cllr
clare v galway minor 21-05-22 12 matthew o'halloran
Minors hoping to follow in their father's footsteps
galway v clare camogie 04-03-23 caoimhe kelly 3
Third defeat on the trot leaves Clare facing relegation battle

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top
Enable Notifications for the latest news and updates OK No thanks