Societies show solidarity in anti-terrorism vigil

Fourteen societies and the Students’ Union collaborated together in a candlelit vigil against terrorism yesterday evening. 

The event, which was held outside the Main Building, was attended by approximately seventy people. Speeches were given by organisers of the event Vaishnavi Sayal and Anusha Sriram, SU President Claire Blakeway and Pakistani Society President Harris Ali Din.

Attendees were given candles to hold

The fourteen societies that contributed to the event were: YUVA Indian Society, Model UN Society, Pakistani Society, Red Cross Society, Islamic Society, Sikh Society, Real Ale Society, Bollywood Dance Society, Levant Society, UNICEF on Campus society, AIESEC Society, Palestine Society, Debating Society and AhlulBayt Society.

Harris, President of the Pakistani society, said: “The turnout was impressive with a diversity of societies. I hope this will help towards a more multicultural university, events like this will help us to come together and overcome the effects of terrorism.”

People gathered outside the Main Building at 8pm yesterday

A board was displayed for participants to write messages of solidarity to terror attack victims. This board will later be placed in the Students’ Union for those who were not able to attend. Attendees were also encouraged to bring candles to hold during the speeches.

Claire Blakeway, President of the Students’ Union, commented: “This isn’t an issue that’s just affecting people in Cardiff, it’s an issue that is affecting people globally and we have stand together, it’s about solidarity, we have to pay our respect to what has happened around the world.”