Belfast students hold peace rally

SOME 1,000 students attended a candle lit peace rally at Queen's University Belfast, which lasted 17 minutes to represent the…

SOME 1,000 students attended a candle lit peace rally at Queen's University Belfast, which lasted 17 minutes to represent the 17 months of peace.

The students' union president, Mr Colm McGivern, told the rally last night young people would not "sit idly by and allow our lives and livelihoods to be ruined".

The possible futures for this country are manifold and every single last one of them is easier to stomach than a return to violence, no matter what your politics. One more life lost is one more too many," he said.

"We reiterate our message to the men of violence. The conflict must stop. Allow us to decommission our fears."

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Prayers for peace were said by the Catholic and Methodist chaplains at the university.

About 150 people took part in a `No Going Back' peace rally at Belfast City Hall at lunchtime yesterday. It was organised by Militant Labour, Youth Against Sectarianism and the Young Socialists.

Mr Peter Hadden of Militant Labour said another bomb should be greeted with "dialogue and militancy for peace, not sectarianism". He called for a general strike by workers if there was another attack.

. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions will hold a lunchtime peace rally at Belfast City Hall tomorrow. Speakers include the ICTU president, Mr John Freeman, and the general secretary, Mr Peter Cassells.

. Fermanagh Council of Trades Unions is also organising a rally in Enniskillen tomorrow. A spokesman, Mr Davy Kettyles said that a "small minority acting only for themselves" could not be allowed to kill the peace process. Mr Kettyles is asking shops in the town to close from 1 to 1.30 p.m. in solidarity with the rally.

A vigil for peace in Armagh city centre tomorrow at 1 p.m. has been organised by the local Protestant and Catholic clergy. The churchmen said it was the duty of everyone, not least those in positions of influence, to work and pray for peace, justice and reconciliation.