Day 39 of Hunger Strike for "Freedom and Unity in Korea".
Okhwan Yoon is now on day 39 of his hunger strike outside the Houses Of Parliament, here in the UK.
http://london.indymedia.org/articles/9548
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kTj-00cj1U
Okhwan
Years on a bike. Is it enough?
Ministers from Westminster Abbey and the Methodist Central Hall are praying for Okhwan.
Okhwan Yoon. Photo taken on day 34 of his hunger strike
Okhwan Yoon has now been on hunger strike at Parliament square for 37 days. On Monday a Minister from the Methodist Central Hall came to visit him and offer comfort. They have been trying to contact a Korean speaking Minister but have had difficulty in doing so, due to the August holiday period, when so many people are away or are uncontactable.
It is similar to the Tamil Protest and hunger strike in 2009 when the Government was on holiday and it was impossible to contact anyone in an official capacity.
PLEA FOR PEACE IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE
We urgently NEED to make the Peace in Parliament Square,for the sake of the people on who’s behalf we are suppose to be campaigning for.
There are deep rooted grievances at the Square that should be put aside if we are to have any real chance of working effectively for peace.
Any personal allegations made against individuals in the Peacestrike Campaign can be dealt with and we are willing to do so. We can defend our actions if required.
Peacestrike is working to promote peace for all people. We do not promote any acts of confrontation or abuse, aimed at anyone. We do not encourage any abuse of ANY individual, regardless who they are. We may have made mistakes. If we have faltered, then we have apologised. We are open to discussion and indeed we would like open dialogue with everyone at the Square. If there is a problem then we….
NEED TO TALK!
With the impending threat of the new ‘POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL’ going through Parliament right now, this would be a good time to unite for the common cause of defending Parliament Square for the RIGHT reasons. Surly we can do that?
BOTTOM LINE…..IF WE ARE UNABLE, AS A PEACE MOVEMENT,TO SORT OUT OUR OWN HOUSE, HOW ARE WE SUPPOSE TO RECONCILE THE TRAGIC ISSUES OF ISRAEL, PALESTINE AND AFGHANISTAN ETC?
We are not asking people to come down to the Square and take sides or get involved in all the “negative” issues. We send out this plea for people to come down to promote peace and spread some love, in order to lift the very heavy atmosphere that hangs over the place at present. There is also quite a large group of homeless people. They are disenfranchised and distressed at times. However, they are trying to survive, and are generally in good humour, despite obvious struggles and issues. We all need support and encouragement…..It is not our place to say whether they should be at the Square or not. The point is, until they are moved on, for whatever reason, they are entitled to be there. At present, it is their home.
The peace movement is not Parliament Square, it is made up of all the campaigns, groups, and individuals who speak out against oppresion and injustice. We are all a part of the on-going struggle, and we are all linked in the work we collectively do. We are not separate, and we all need each others support. No one does it on their own!
We may not be able to heal the individual relationship breakdowns that have taken hold in the Square, but we must not allow it to become a “NO GO ZONE! Come along and bring some peace, positive thoughts and views. Above all, don’t go away disenchanted! Without effort and goodwill there is no hope for change.
WE HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL DUTY, AND RESPONSIBILITY, TO ALL VICTIMS OF WAR AND OPPRESSION, TO SET ASIDE OUR PERSONAL DIFFERENCES.
This message goes out in good faith.
Maria Gallastegui
Peacestrike Campaign
Parliament Square
15th June 2011