‘Stand 4 Truth’ rally in Athlone

KAYLEY HARDIMAN

A 'Stand For Truth' rally took place in Civic Square, Athlone last Sunday to show support to victims of clerical abuse. Similar events were held in Kilkenny, Maynooth, Dundalk and Waterford with the largest being hosted by the main figure Colm O'Gorman in Dublin with 5,000 people in attendance. Athlone based John Madden decided to organise the event when he saw the response coming up to the rally in Dublin. “I had a strong inkling that a lot of people would want to go to something like that. I sent a quick message to Colm and he was very receptive.”

John described it as a sister event for people who couldn't make it to Dublin. As part of the event a vigil was held at Civic Square around 3pm. Attendees brought signage and posters to highlight certain aspects of what this 'Stand For Truth' event was all about. The slogan of 'Stand For Truth' is 'Truth, Justice, Love' and many people in attendance held signs with the trademark phrase. John spoke about one particular piece which incorporated all the names of the children still within the grounds at Tuam. “It was a clothes line which stretched from one end of the square to the next. When you can see it written down and the extent of the names going across it's eye-opening and has a strong visual impact.”

John gave a short introduction at the beginning touching on how the 'Stand For Truth' rally was being held to stand with survivors and was very much pro truth. The reason behind the event was “to stand for people who may not have been acknowledged over the weekend.” Padraig Hegarty spoke about ongoing issues that are happening in the country before Coosan native Anthony Keane delivered a poem followed by another recitation by Caoimhe Kenny. Then there was a moment of silence in which attendees were invited to engage in reflection, prayer or meditation. The event was 45 minutes long with about 80 in attendance and people walked around afterwards to look at the various pieces on display.

A core group of 8 people was set up to help organise this 'Stand for Truth' rally and a meeting was held 10 days prior to the event. In conclusion, John said it was about “shining a light on what's happening and what needs to happen.

The Facebook event created to make people aware of the 'Stand For Truth' rally prior to its taking place articulated that people were invited to “stand with us in solidarity, for truth, for justice and for love. We are a different Ireland.”