Kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls haunt Hamilton

The fate of hundreds of kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls continues to haunt the world nearly a month after their capture by an extremist group. rallies across the globe continue to call for international intervention and one in front of Hamilton City Hall on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May,11th) was particularly emotional.

Many mothers got choked up talking about the travesty going on across the world.

With hundreds of women, men and children were in front of Hamilton City Hall singing, chanting and crying. the whole event was organized and promoted on social media and it was clearly effective; the hope is the movement will continue to trend online so that governments are prompted to act. Many women told their children this was all they wanted for Mother’s Day.

“I love it,” one daughter said “She’s my mom, I couldn’t imagine being a daughter and not being there.”

Evelyn Myrie was the first to rally her friends on twitter. Wondering why we were talking more about Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford than the 276 girls taken during a raid at a boarding school, by a terrorist group opposed to education. The militants have said they will sell the girls into slavery.

“We’re here and our kids are around making us feel special, and they have no daughters,” myrie said “They’re weeping and wailing for their children, we want to stand with them today.”

In Nigeria, mothers continue an agonizing wait. Amnesty international says the country was aware of the impending raid by Boko Haram, but failed to act. The United States says Nigeria only recently accepted offers of help.