Cork 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Award to be presented to people of Palestine

Award to be presented to  Zeina Alazzeh, research and policy officer of the Embassy of the State of Palestine

The Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign during a protst march in Cork city centre. Picture: Larry Cummins

The people of Palestine have been awarded the Cork 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Award in what organisers said was “a gesture of support to an entire population facing genocide”.

It will be presented on Friday to Zeina Alazzeh, the research and policy officer of the Embassy of the State of Palestine, at the request of the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, who is out of Ireland at the moment.

The ambassador has said she intends to attend the festival in person next year to thank the people of Cork.

The formal presentation will take place at the Firkin Crane on Friday after the Stories of Palestine meeting which begins at 7pm.

James Nolan, the spokesperson for the Cork Mother Jones Committee, said while in practical terms, such an award is almost trivial, they believe it represents a symbolic and heartfelt gesture of support.

“Along with the many thousands of people who have marched through Cork city each week and across Ireland since October 2023, we wish to also add our support for the people of Palestine by conferring on them the Spirit of Mother Jones Award,” he said.

The award was established in recognition of the tireless campaigning of Cork-born, 19th century American labour activist, Mary Harris, also known as Mother Jones, who in 1902, was called "the most dangerous woman in America" for her success in organising miners and their families against the mine owners.

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In her letter of acceptance of the award, the ambassador said while the people in Palestine are experiencing “the highest form of misery and catastrophe”, they find a glimmer of hope through the Irish people’s support and solidarity.

“Mary Harris was a brave mother like thousands of Palestinian mothers who lost their children," she said.

“Her commitment to standing up against injustice holds great values that are reflected in this award and we are honoured to be credited with it.”

Previous winners of The Spirit of Mother Jones Award include British trade unionist Mick Lynch; Hillsborough campaigners Margaret Aspinall and Sue Roberts; and civil rights lawyer Gareth Pierce.