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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
James Martin McCarthy

'Human Peacewall' at interface to mark Good Friday Agreement anniversary

A 'human peacewall' event at a Belfast interface is set to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Organised by the New Life City Church and Falls Residents' Association, the event will see residents from the Falls and Shankill come together at Northumberland Street to form a line of solidarity between the two communities this Friday from 12pm.

Speaking ahead of the event, Pastor Johnny McKee said that he hopes people can come together to mark this significant event, no matter their opinion on the agreement.

Read more: U2 Belfast gig helped secure Yes vote in Good Friday Agreement – Durkan

"Over the last few weeks New Life City Church have been doing what we call a Cross Vigil between the gates where the church building is at Northumberland Street," he said.

"We have been sharing the news of Jesus and what we think of Good Friday when it comes to the cross.

"With this being 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, we wanted to do something a little bit different so we have invited people to come along and remember in their own way the signing of that agreement whether they thought it was good or bad.

"I think for the country, we believe that it was significant so this will be an opportunity to remember that."

Pastor McKee said that the event will involve people coming together from both sides of the community to join arms in a sign of solidarity.

"This is to show that there is unity in parts of the city where there is still a bit of mistrust and animosity. It will show that there actually are people who are moving forward and have hope for the future," he added.

Robert McClenaghan from the Falls Residents Association said that this event marks a continuation in the development of good relations between the two communities.

"We have been working with the community of the Shankill for some time now and in particular with Pastor Johnathan at New Life City Church," he said.

"Friday's event will be the latest in a series of events which have brought the people of the Falls and Shankill together to show that there is more that unites us than divides us."

The event will take place at the Northumberland Street security gates from 12pm with live music followed by the human peacewall.

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