Limerick artists sign open letter to President Joe Biden

Rebecca Lenihan, 28 Dec

A NUMBER of Limerick artists have signed an open letter to the Joe

Biden, President of the United States of America for a ceasefire in

Gaza.

Composer Bill Whelan signed the letter as well as popular Limerick band

Hermitage Green.

Limerick producer Martin Atkinson is also among 100 other artists who

have signed the letter from across the country.

The letter was initiated by Sadaka - The Ireland Palestine Alliance and

sent on behalf of the artists by Sadaka coordinator Fiona Fitzgerald

who grew up in Rhebogue.

In the letter the group wrote: “As musicians, song-writers, artists and

writers we find ourselves at a loss in how to address the immediate and

urgent needs of the people of Gaza.

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Hundreds of Christmas hampers distributed to families across Limerick

“We write to you as the president of the United States of America, the

world’s most powerful nation and with the influence and authority to

bring about an end to this tragic situation.

“Gaza City has been destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands of people

homeless and with no hope of being rehoused.

“Despite appeals from virtually all quarters, including the United

States, essential humanitarian aid trickles into Gaza, just a fraction

of what is required to assist the 1.8 million displaced people.”

The artists concluded the letter with lines from The Cure at Troy by

Irish poet Seamus Heaney.