Dublin’s Lord Mayor Michael Mulcahy has launched a campaign called “Shoulder to Shoulder” in solidarity with the people of New York. The “civic solidarity campaign” will see plaques erected at Dublin fire and garda stations in memory of those who died in the September 11 attacks.
It is also hoped that at least 100 firefighters and police who were injured or traumatized by the events in New York will be given a holiday in Ireland over the summer.
“We are asking Irish sporting organizations to hold events in New York, and we are also organizing that Irish firemen march in the St Patrick’s Day parade there on March 17,” Michael Mulcahy told The Irish Voice. The Mayor has already invited the outgoing Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, to march in the next St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.
A committee was set up in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks to work on the new campaign. “We want to express our solidarity with New York. We would like to repay the people of that city for all that they have given us over the years,” said the Lord Mayor.
“Obviously tourism has taken a big hit in New York, and Manhattan has been devastated economically, in terms of its shops and theaters and restaurants, so we would like to do our bit to help them bring back the buzz to Manhattan and New York.” ♦
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