ARTISTS living and working in Galway lay down on the pavement at Eyre Square yesterday and in silence remained there for 20 minutes as a mark of solidarity with those who died in the Qana massacre in south Lebanon.
Those who took part included actors, painters, musicians and entertainers with many from the city's street theatre troupe, Macnas, and the Galway Arts Festival. It was described as "a symbolic act of street theatre".
The people who took part wore plastic bags and, according to one of the organisers, the mime artist, Little John Nee, it was "a simple gesture with no need for political speeches".
A short statement handed out said: "The massacre in Qana was an unspeakable act against humanity. Today's silent protest is a simple gesture of solidarity with the people of Qana.
Among the participants was Yossi J. Valdman, a musician living in Galway since 1981 who served with the Israeli army between 1974 and 1978. "I'm absolutely disgusted and ashamed by what happened in Qana. I don't think military action is an option and in the context of retaliation I don't think it will solve anything", he said.