Famine Walk
mayo |
environment |
news report 
Friday June 10, 2011 10:22
by DD - Adri
Planting Seeds of Food Sovereignty
While in previous years the weather has been typically sunny and dry – apart from the unforgettable rain, cold and high winds of 1991 – it is sobering to remember that the original famine walk occurred in weather that would have been worse than that experienced this year, taking place in bitterly cold and hail storm conditions in March 1849.
Due to the inclement weather the speeches were held in the local community hall, before everyone was transferred to the start of the Walk at Doolough. This year our walk leaders were Juan Carlos Contreras, a Guatamalan Community leader, Choctaw Gary Whitedeer, who is well known and loved by many Afri supporters and friends, and Gemma Hensey, of the Westport branch of Grow It Yourself. Their speeches highlighted how the injustices that led to the Irish Great Famine are very much alive today in terms of the unequal food distribution in the world, and the fundamental importance of being in control of our food supply.
Justine Nantale, who previously sang at our hedge school as well as at the ‘Possibilities’ summit with the Dalai Lama, provided some stirring music and set us on our way with some beautiful African songs.