Gaza war: 150 join march in Prestatyn calling for ceasefire

Prestatyn’s Peace for Palestine group held the march on Saturday, March 2. 

Families, teenagers and older people carried placards calling for peace and chanted 'Peace for Palestine' as they marched the length of Prestatyn High Street to Ty Pendre Gardens.

Speakers from different faiths made short speeches and gave readings before heading to Nant Hall Church for reflection. 

Prestatyn’s Peace for Palestine group with guest speaker David McKnight (Image: Submitted)
David McKnight, guest speaker, shared his personal experience of being in Palestine on October 7 and subsequent days.

After the speeches, people were invited to call at five churches in the areas and lay roses. Candles were also lit and people paused to think about children caught up in the conflict.

Churches included Trinity Methodist, St Frances, Rehoboth Presbyterian, Christ Church and Nant Hall Presbyterian.

Catherine Platt, group secretary, said: “We were delighted to see so many people joining the Peace Walk. It showed how much local people care about this issue.

"We hope our local leaders will reflect the views aired during our event within the council, Senedd and Westminster. Our voices were clear, the suffering must end.”

Coral Smith, group chair, said: "Our peace march was a historic day for Prestatyn, orchestrated by an incredible support group.

There was a great deal of support for the peace march (Image: Submitted)
"Our community stood together against the devastating toll of the Israel-Hamas conflict which has claimed thousands of innocent lives.

"Our wish for peace transcends borders, religions, and politics.

"We demand an end to this senseless violence, advocating for peace and justice, I pray our leaders hear our message.”

Ataur-Raziq Gonzalez, committee member and member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, said: "This is a crucial time in our history and the actions of our community by being present will stand apart from those who have been too hesitant to do anything about it.

Even pets wore placards (Image: Submitted)
"We gathered to show those leaders what unity looks like.

"We implore them to to hear our voices, to hear our cries and act accordingly.

"How many more children have to die the most brutal deaths before enough is enough?"

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• Prestatyn's 'Peace for Palestine Walk' to be held in March

Former Prestatyn councillor Paul Penlington, committee member, and Plaid Cymru Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd East, said: “Greater numbers of children than the population of Prestatyn have already been killed, greater numbers than the population of this constituency have been maimed and orphaned, people are sickened by the seeming complicity of Westminster in this genocide.

"This is the first real protest march Prestatyn has ever seen, the fact even a quiet seaside town like ours has been spurred to take a stance sends a very clear message, people are passionately opposed to genocide and are calling on local politicians to step up and demand a permanent cease fire now."