Palestinians to receive Spirit of Mother Jones award

The Cork Mother Jones Committee has announced that the 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Award has been awarded to the people of Palestine.

The award will be presented to Ms Zeina Alazzeh, of the embassy of the state of Palestine, at the Dance Cork Firkin Crane on Friday evening, after the “Stories of Palestine” meeting at 7pm.

Ms Alazzeh has been nominated by the ambassador of Palestine to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, to accept this award.

A spokesperson for the committee said: “The Cork Mother Jones Committee is pleased to present the 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Award to the people of Palestine. We remain honoured by the decision of ambassador Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid to accept this award on behalf of the State of Palestine.

“Although, in practical terms, an award such as this remains almost a trivial offering, we believe it represents a symbolic and heartfelt gesture of support by many Cork people to an entire population facing genocide, in that we are recording the fact that human beings everywhere should bear witness to the sufferings of Palestinians.

“Along with the many thousands of people who have marched through Cork city each week and across Ireland since October 2023, we wish to also add our support for the people of Palestine by conferring on them the Spirit of Mother Jones Award.”

Accepting the Spirit of Mother Jones award, Dr Abdalmajid wrote in her letter to the committee: “I am so pleased to accept this award which honours the people of Palestine.

“During this difficult time, and while our people in Palestine are experiencing the highest form of misery and catastrophe, we find a glimmer of hope through the Irish people’s support and solidarity.

“It is heart-warming that there are still nations that stand up for basic human rights, but sadly this is not the case everywhere.

“Mary Harris was a brave mother like thousands of Palestinian mothers who lost their children. It is the loss of a mother’s child, and how she could hold back her grief and despair to create a better life. Her commitment to standing up against injustice holds great values that are reflected in this award and we are honoured to be credited with it.”

FESTIVAL

The opening of the 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival and summer school will take place on Thursday at 1pm at the Maldron Hotel.

Almost 30 events will take place at this year’s three-day festival in and around Shandon.

This opening of the annual festival and summer school will again be showcased by the performance of the Kalyna Ukrainian Community Choir, who will give a rendition of Ukrainian songs interspersed with Irish ones.

This festival, which celebrates the life and activities of Cork-born Mary Harris — known throughout the world as Mother Jones.

Full details can be obtained at www.motherjonescork.com.