Hurler walks from Kildare to Clare for Palestine
Former Clare hurler Tony Griffin
A FORMER All-Star hurler living in Kildare has started to Clare as a fund-raiser for Palestine Solidarity.
On Saturday (2 August) well-known former Clare All-Star hurler Tony Griffin set out on a 200km walk from his home in Ballymore-Eustace to his native Ballyea, Co. Clare - a personal act of solidarity with the people of Palestine.
A writer and co-founder of the youth charity Soar, Tony is undertaking the journey to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to call for urgent action on the ongoing starvation and displacement of the Palestinian people.
"I have decided to walk in solidarity with the people of Palestine from my current home in Ballymore Eustace to my native Ballyea, County Clare," said Tony.
"It’s a walk from one side of Ireland to the other in solidarity with their suffering.
“It is a 200km walk and I hope to complete it over four or five days, travelling through counties Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Limerick, Tipperary and into my native county Clare.
“While this walk will test me, it’s nothing compared to the daily suffering, bombardment, and forced displacement endured by Palestinians.
"Like many people, I watch the children and families being killed in Gaza and the West Bank and feel sadness and helplessness.
“I shake my head at how world leaders are letting this happen, and I’m angry that innocent children are being targeted."
Watching the widespread coverage of the devastation in Gaza and the systematic targeting of Palestinian families, Tony felt compelled to respond with action, not just words.
He said: "The tipping point for me was watching a video where a grandfather cried as he told of how all his grandchildren had been killed.
“The images of children, emaciated from starvation while stockpiles of food are withheld from them, made me think of how they could be my own children.
“How can we allow the Palestinian people to be forced from their homeland?"
Tony acknowledged the enormity of the crisis yet believes every act of solidarity has meaning.
"What difference will it make? I am not sure. I want the people of Palestine to know that we have not forgotten them. Whilst this is a personal solidarity walk, I hope to raise some funds for organisations on the ground in Gaza and throughout Palestine."
