Honouring the Lost: A Call for Justice and Action

I am utterly devastated by the ongoing atrocities and the overwhelming loss of innocent lives. Each name on the list represents a person - someone who had dreams, hopes, and aspirations, cruelly cut short. These were real people with families, ambitions, and futures. Every single life taken is a personal tragedy, and collectively, it is an unimaginable loss. We must not forget that behind every statistic is a human story, one filled with love, laughter, and potential that will never be realised.

Yesterday, as we rolled out the "Naming the Dead" banner at the Newport Civic Centre, it felt as though we were laying out the dead before us. The sheer number of names—20,000 civilians—was utterly heartbreaking. Standing there, looking at those names, I could feel the weight of each life lost. Tears were hard to hold back. And what makes it even more horrifying is knowing that this list is only a fraction of the real devastation. The actual death toll could easily be four times higher, with many more names that remain unrecorded, unspoken, and forgotten.

What struck me most as I stood in front of that banner were the names of children. So many young lives, full of innocence, taken far too soon. Children who had barely begun to live, who should have been playing, laughing, and learning, were instead caught in the horrors of violence. It’s unfathomable to think that these children, who represent the future, will never get the chance to grow, to pursue their dreams, or to live out their potential.

As a society, we cannot stand by and allow this senseless loss of life to continue. We must demand an immediate end to the genocide that is unfolding before our eyes. We must call for a ceasefire, for urgent humanitarian aid, and for medical support to reach those who are suffering. Too many families have already been torn apart, and too many lives have been destroyed. People deserve the chance to live without fear, to rebuild their homes and communities, and to hold onto hope for a better tomorrow.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who stood with us yesterday. Your presence was powerful, and it gave me hope in a time of deep despair. Thank you to those who helped display the banner, who brought these stories to life, and who continue to fight for justice. Your commitment to this cause is invaluable, and your voices are needed now more than ever. Together, we can make a difference.

But the fight doesn’t end here. We need to keep pushing for divestment from companies that are complicit in war crimes, and we need to demand real change from those in positions of power. Every day that passes without action is another day of suffering for countless innocent people. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the tragedy. We must continue to speak out, to raise our voices, and to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering.

Let us not stay silent. Every life lost is a tragedy, and every voice raised brings us one step closer to ending this nightmare. Together, we can bring attention to these atrocities, and together, we can push for a future where no more names need to be added to that banner.