Hundreds remember Lyra McKee with three-day memorial walk
Hundreds gathered in the streets of Belfast today (25 May) for a three-day memorial walk for the late Lyra McKee.
Members of the dissident republican group, New IRA, allegedly shot journalist McKee to death while she covered riots in Londonderry – also known as Derry – on 18 April.
This weekend (25-27 May), friends, family and sympathizers will walk 67.8 miles (109.1km) from Belfast to Derry. They’re peacefully protesting, while warning against further violent clashes.
Organizers are calling it Lyra’s Walk.
A group of around 300 gathered to walk from Belfast to Derry in memory of Lyra McKee @BBCNewsNI @bbcnewsline #NotInMyName pic.twitter.com/LtjD4snFxU
— Kelly Bonner (@KellyBonner) May 25, 2019
At 9am, they gathered and then set off at Writer’s Square in Belfast, wearing t-shirts and carrying flags with messages of peace.
McKee’s partner, Sara Canning, chose the starting location.
It’s the same place where McKee’s funeral took place, attracting UK-wide leaders, including gay leader Leo Varadkar, PM Theresa May and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Snow Patrol’s frontman, Gary Lightbody, is due to join the walkers on the last leg on Monday before a rally at the Guildhall in Derry.
A charitable cause
Lyra’s Walk is trying to raise money for the running costs of the event.
According to the GoFundMe page, crowdsourced funds will pay for first aid equipment, event insurance, campsite facilities, transport, printing costs and fuel.
The event page stated: ‘Any surplus donations will be donated to the Suicide Prevention and mental health awareness charity Mindskills, at the request of Lyra’s family.’
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Treasurer Christopher Pattison wrote: ‘We just want to extend the deepest gratitude for all the extremely generous donations and lovely words of support for what we are doing for Lyra’s memory, her legacy and for peace.’
He then added: ‘Thank you. Please continue to spread the word.’
People from Derry/Londonderry joining Lyra’s Walk for peace from Belfast to their home town … #lyraswalk #notinourname #teamlyra #lyramckee #westandwithlyra pic.twitter.com/llrEy6Oh2B
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 25, 2019
‘I want my nieces and nephews to grow up in peace,’ one walker said today. ‘Not the way that we grew up with a lot of trouble.’
She then said: ‘I just don’t want that for the young people of today.’
See also
Lyra McKee’s partner to lead marriage equality rally in Northern Ireland
Two men appear in court charges on night Lyra McKee killed
Former NI Secretary calls for marriage equality in honor of Lyra McKee
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Author: James Besanvalle
