Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - News

16 October 2009

On Saturday 17 October at 12 noon, several community groups and churches from both sides of the wall will build a "Human Peace Wall" between the Shankill and the Falls. This Human Peace Wall will physically link the Shankill and Falls as people stand together while linking arms for 15 minutes in the centre of the road through the dividing gates and along Northumberland Street.

This is an opportunity to show in a tangible way that people really do want to reach out. The 20 foot concrete wall between the Shankill and Falls is often referred to as the "Peace Wall", yet it speaks more of division than of peace. The only real "Peace Wall" is that which is built between people and by the people.

This will start at 12 noon and end at 12.15 pm. As part of this event a symbolic bridge, using scaffolding, will be built between the gates in Northumberland Street. Young people will ascend this symbolic bridge with the help of the Belfast Activity Centre (BAC); a banner will be unfolded with the words United in Hope, and 400 coloured baloons will be released into the air; 10 balloons for each year the walls and the gates have been up. Northern Ireland singer Peter Corry, representing Unite Against Hate, will sing during this event.