Irish American Unity Conference

GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT 15TH ANNIVERSARY SYMPOSIUM

iauc — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:08:06 +0000

ALERT

Thursday, May 23, 2013 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
COOPER UNION GREAT HALL/ THE FOUNDATION BUILDING
SEVEN EAST 7TH STREET BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH AVE
NEW YORK, NY

This event features Senator George Mitchell who will be the keynote speaker on the 15th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement ratification by the Irish People on May 23, 1998. An expert panel discussion with Members of Congress and other leaders who have supported the peace process will follow Senator Mitchell’s address.

The Good Friday Agreement ranks among the most significant peace accords in history

ADMISSION IS FREE

Seating is Limited to 900, so tickets must be issued. Please complete the survey to print your ticket

Survey links are below and may be accessed via Facebook or the Web

For manual web link:
https://www.research.net/s/Z2ZTF9J

For Facebook link:
https://www.research.net/s/WRSKC5H

For more information, contact Sean Pender, AOH National FFAI Chair or Dan Dennehy, NYS FFAI Chair.
This event is sponsored by the AOH, Brehon Law Societies, IAUC, numerous Irish organizations & the Cooper Union Office of Continuing Education

Hotel information is forthcoming for those in need of assistance.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

iauc — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:03:54 +0000

The IAUC National Board wishes all a blessed and Happy St. Patrick’s Day. May there be much love, joy and laughter shared by all on this, the most special day of the Irish, the feast day of our patron saint.

Francie Malloy wins mid-Ulster by-election

iauc — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 14:00:58 +0000

Congratulations to Francie Malloy for winning the seat vacated by Martin McGuinness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gzDR_T5ufU&feature=youtu.be

Pittsburgh Chapter – Free Talk on Feb. 16th 3:00PM Speaker: Jon McCourt All Welcome

iauc — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:55:19 +0000

Jon McCourt has been a community Peace Activist and a member of the Peace and Reconciliation Group in the City of Derry for over 30 years. As a young man he went on the first Civil Rights March in Derry in October, 1968. He has been actively engaged in almost every aspect of the conflict that arose as the result of that march. Jon took part in the Battle of the Bogside, when the police laid siege to Catholic/Nationalist of Derry for three days. He saw the first soldiers arrive on the streets of Derry in August 1969 and witnessed the murder of friends and neighbours on Bloody Sunday when 14 people died at the hands of the British Army’s 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment.

Since 1978 he has worked at building bridges between the two major communities in Derry; encouraging and engaging in cross community activities that have assisted in rebuilding contact, trust and cooperation across the city. Jon played a major part in the development of the Community Awareness Training Programme used by the British Army which contributed to the reduction of soldiers on the streets, through a process of de-escalation and disengagement locally.

Jon co-founded and established the first Victim Support Service in Northern Ireland in 1986 and his story was one of several that became the first “Theatre of Witness” ground-breaking production “We Carried your Secrets” (www.theatreofwitness.org) and has facilitated study visits from the U.S and elsewhere, giving students an insight into the impact of the Northern Ireland Conflict. He has travelled to and worked with those involved in conflicts in other areas of the world, including Bosnia, the Middle East, Rwanda and other countries in Africa.

Jon will discuss struggle, loss, division, polarization, hope and healing and share personal moments and reflections in the forthcoming presentation. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2013 3:00PM TO 5:00PM UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH DEPT. OF HISTORY LOUNGE 3711 POSVAR HALL (3^RD FLOOR)

For more information contact: Sarah McAuliffe-Bellin 412-512-9388 or sarahm1916@comcast.net.

Parking available on-street and at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Posvar Hall is located at the corner of South Bouquet and Schenley Drive next to Hillman Library. From Forbes Avenue turn right onto to Schenley Drive. The building is also directly across Schenley Plaza from the Carnegie Library

Gerry McGeough Freed – Finally!

iauc — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:28:16 +0000

From Republican News – Political prisoner Gerry McGeough has been released from Maghaberry Prison after serving two years of his sentence for his part in an IRA action more than 30 years ago. The former Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle member was arrested in 2007 at an election count centre after he stood for election to the Stormont Assembly as an independent republican. He was handed a 20-year sentence in 2011. Although suffering from ill-health, Mr McGeough took part in the dirty protest by non-conforming prisoners at the jail, and a global campaign was fought by republican and human rights activists to win his freedom. Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, McGeough qualified to apply for early release after serving a minimum of two years. However, there had been concerns that the veteran republican might not be released. Former publicity director of the Irish Northern Aid Committee Martin Galvin, joined Mr McGeough as he was freed and will address a function tonight in Dungannon to welcome him home.He said: “Gerry McGeough is seen by many nationalists as a victim of British injustice. ”The British soldiers who shot dead 14 unarmed civilians on Bloody Sunday have never been charged yet the Crown showed no hesitation in moving against this respected republican on decades-old charges.”

IAUC Congratulates Denis McDonough as New Chief of Staff for President Obama

iauc — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:38:48 +0000

IAUC President Tom Burke and the Irish American Unity Conference congratulates fellow Minnesotan Denis McDonough on his appointment as President Barack Obama’s new Chief of Staff. Mr. McDonough has close ties to Ireland and did his Master’s Thesis on the Irish Peace Process. The IAUC wishes Mr. McDonough well and hopes he will keep the lines of communication open with Irish activists during his tenure.

Condolences to the Family of Dolours Price

iauc — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:04:42 +0000

The Irish American Unity Conference would like to extend its sympathy and condolences to the family of Dolours Price who passed away earlier this week. She was deeply committed to the Republican struggle and endured much hardship, torture and sacrifice for her beliefs. It is sad and regretable that she is gone from this world too soon. May she be at peace.

The IAUC also again, demands the release of her sister Marian immediately from her unlawful imprisonment.

Loyalism – The Lost Opportunity Redux

iauc — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:01:01 +0000

http://plutopress.wordpress.com/2013/01/15/the-lost-opportunity-redux-tony-novosel/

The Lost Opportunity Redux – Tony Novosel

15/01/2013

When I finished writing Northern Ireland’s Lost Opportunity, I hoped it would begin a serious reappraisal of loyalism and move us away from what Graham Spencer calls, “the standard one-dimensional representation of loyalism that so dominates the media and popular imagination” as well as open the door for other researchers to walk through. I never anticipated that its release would coincide with the crisis that has developed in Northern Ireland over the flying of the British flag at City Hall nor have as much relevance to present day events on the ground in Northern Ireland. What is particularly relevant to this study of loyalism and today’s problems is the re-enactment of the all too familiar play that is Northern Ireland’s history.

In this play, the established Unionist parties warn about a real or perceived threat to Northern Ireland’s place in the UK from Republicanism/Nationalism and that it is necessary to prepare to defend Ulster and/or their British identity. The Protestant working class, a class that has benefited little from its relationship to Unionism and the old Unionist state, suffers from poverty, social deprivation, and alienation, then takes its actions to the street to fight for their flag and culture. Then once the “troubles” are over the politicians sort everything out and the working class goes back to its way of life with little to show for its loyalty. This occurred in the 1920s, 1930s, 1960s, and throughout the period of the “Troubles.”

In a subplot of these plays, we witness the emergence of a political leadership from within the working class, which while believing it is necessary to fight for Ulster, also believes that the working class needs its own political voice, a voice that focuses on social issues as well as the border. This voice is much more conciliatory and moderate in terms of relations with the nationalist population and in fact, calls for an inclusive society that is social democratic in nature. This occurred in the 1930s, the 1970s, the 1980s and in the present era. However, the forces of reaction coming from within unionism and in some cases loyalism itself usually drown out this voice blunting any progress for the Protestant working class and the working class as a whole in Northern Ireland. As David Adams argues, “there is always room for the voices that are opposed and are moving to the right, but there is very little room for the moderate voice, which tends to get stymied. If you are preaching a harder message, you will always find an audience and an acceptance.”

In the present crisis in Northern Ireland, this play has begun once again, this time over the flying the flag at City Hall. In the prologue, the SDLP and Sinn Fein, who, for their own reasons, wanted to take the flag down permanently, accepted a compromise deal brokered by the Alliance Party, which allowed the Union Jack to fly on 17 designated days at Belfast City Hall.

In Act One, the DUP and the UUP, instead of accepting the vote in City Hall and working politically to overturn that decision, chose to print 40,000 leaflets targeting the Alliance Party, its members and its offices. Then, performing its part in this play, many within the Protestant working class, enraged by this decision, for over six weeks now have been on the streets to protest the City Councils’ decision and to defend the flag as part of their culture and identity. Appeals, from political leaders from within loyalism, in this case people such as Jackie McDonald and Billy Hutchinson, for people to work politically to overturn the decision, have largely been ignored. As Adams put it above, and as I found in my research, and as we see today, those who have thought little about politics, let alone progressive politics, have gotten the ear of the people, brought them onto the streets, and kept them there, while those with a political vision have been relatively sidelined.

Examples of this retrograde thinking have appeared in various social media, in particular on Facebook. One post called for the expulsion of the Irish from Ulster and another for a “new Troubles.” Other posts complain that the government does not listen to them and the police are not theirs anymore, going so far as to call the police the “PSNIRA.” Consequently, they argue that the demonstrations are necessary to force the government, “SF/IRA” and the other parties to negotiate over the flag with the “PUL people.” At the same time, the crowds and their leaders lack an awareness of the political and practical impact of their actions, as was clearly illustrated on 11 January when a crowd prevented an elderly man from visiting his terminally ill wife near Whiteabbey and a doctor from getting through to a patient.

If these comments and actions represent the thinking of those on the streets it begs the question of where the conscious and progressive political leadership is in these demonstrations and riots or will come from. If there is none, then who will represent the PUL if/when there are talks and negotiations? Will it be the DUP and the UUP again in the guise of the Unionist forum? Will it be those on the streets or writing the posts cited above? Where is a political programme or plan of action that goes beyond returning the flag or reinforcing their identity once the demonstrations are over? Without positive answers to these questions the Protestant working class will most likely find itself, once again, gaining little if anything because it has rejected or ignored the progressive political leadership emerging from its own community. (Note: There is evidence that this tide may be turning now and people are looking to act in a political manner, but it is too early to tell.)

In the second act, Unionism then steps back and proceeds to criticize those who, with its encouragement had converged on Alliance offices, threatened the Alliance members, and taken over the streets of Northern Ireland to get the flag back. They then attempt to take back control of the situation from those on the street.

In the final act, as illustrated above, the Protestant working class having no political programme or progressive political leadership, no clear idea of itself, and what it really hopes to gain, other than returning the flag and stopping Sinn Fein, finds itself in the same position as it was before the crisis.

So, if the script runs true to form, what we are witnessing once more is the play in which the Protestant working class comes on to the streets, in this case, to get the parties to negotiate the return of the flag. And if by chance, the protests lead to serious talks the politicians will take over once more and the Protestant working class will return to a life where the really important issues of political, economic, and social marginalization, along with educational underachievement and social deprivation will continue to exist and may even be worse.

Even more damaging to the working class is the fact, just as my research has shown, is that unless something within the community itself changes dramatically, it will remain without a coherent and forward thinking political leadership and will be at the mercy of those who, as one of my interviewees said, “do not have our best interests at heart.” Consequently, if the Protestant working class does not begin to engage constructively with politics and more importantly with its progressive political leadership, then it will once more find itself adrift and returning to, as Gusty Spence put it in his 12 July 1975 speech in Long Kesh, the “domestic serfdom” that it had endured for fifty years.

Tony Novosel is a senior lecturer in History at the University of Pittsburgh. He is involved in ‘common history’ projects in Belfast. He is the author of Northern Ireland’s Lost Opportunity: The Frustrated Promise of Political Loyalism (Pluto, 2013).

Northern Ireland’s Lost Opportunity

The Frustrated Promise of Political Loyalism

Tony Novosel

Unique in-depth investigation into working-class Loyalism in Northern Ireland as represented by the UVF and RHC and their political allies.

“A significant contribution. Novosel exposes the limitation of commonly held views that loyalism was apolitical and merely sectarian.” – Professor Peter Shirlow, School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast

“Novosel’s study of the UVF and its attempts to develop a politicised loyalism challenges the standard one-dimensional representation of loyalism that so dominates the media and popular imagination.” – Graham Spencer, author of The State of Loyalism in Northern Ireland

~~£17.99~~ only £16.00 on the Pluto site

Gerry Adams: Demographics Are Crying Out for a New Border Poll

iauc — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:24:58 +0000

17th January 2013: This weekend Sinn Féin will hold a major conference in Dublin to launch the party’s campaign for a Border poll. The poll – of all voters in the North – is possible because of the Belfast Agreement, which is 15 years old this Easter. It allows for a Border poll and a simple majority vote to determine the constitutional status of the North. Such a poll would provide an opportunity for a historic debate on the future of this island. Sinn Féin believes that the time is right to seek a Border poll to end partition. The adverse impact of partition means that the economic potential of the island of Ireland has been severely stunted. The additional and unnecessary costs of running two competing economies and states on an island this size; the inefficiencies in the duplication of essential public services; and a relatively small population have added significantly to the financial, political and social consequences faced by citizens.

Partition created two conservative states on the island. In the North, this led to institutionalised and structured discrimination and sectarianism, and to nine decades of division and conflict. However, despite the efforts of tiny minorities to cling to the past, the peace process has dramatically changed the situation. One consequence of this is that the political geography of the North has begun to change. The Northern state was gerrymandered to allow for a permanent unionist two-thirds majority.

Census evidence But the recent census figures reveal a shift that gives hope that political dialogue, stability and persuasion can achieve even more deep-rooted change. For too long there has been a presumption that Protestants are unionists and Catholics are nationalists or republicans. It was never that simple. Now, for the first time, statisticians have been able to ask a question about identity. Less than half the population (48 per cent) designated themselves as British and northern Irish or Irish, while 40 per cent stated that they had a British-only identity. A quarter stated that they had an Irish-only identity and just over one-fifth (21 per cent) had a Northern Irish-only identity. That’s 46 per cent with some form of Irish-only identity.

Statisticians and politicians will argue over the significance of this. But what is certain is that the North is in transition. It is no longer an orange state. In addition, there is a closer scrutiny taking place of unionist claims that Irish unity is uneconomic. The £10.5 billion subvention figure is often cited by unionists and the British. However, the British refuse to reveal how much revenue is generated in the North. An analysis of Department of Finance figures suggests the figure is likely to be closer to £4.5 billion.

Societal shift Sinn Féin believes all parts of the island will financially benefit from an end to the duplication of services on the island and from an all-island economy. In the South, the enormous economic changes of recent decades, the diminished influence of the Catholic hierarchy, and the disclosure of corruption in the golden circles and in politics, have dramatically and fundamentally changed societal attitudes.

So, politics across this island is in flux. A new Ireland can be what we make it. The Border poll is a key element of this. It provides an opportunity to focus on the future: to build a modern, dynamic, new Ireland – in which there is genuine reconciliation, and out of which a more equitable society can emerge. Of course this is a huge challenge. Change is not easy. But change is necessary. And those of us who want to shape that change, so equality and a rights-based society can prosper, have a duty to proactively listen to the concerns of unionists.

They are fully entitled to be part of this process and the new Ireland which emerges has to be one that reflects their rights alongside the rights of other citizens. That in many ways will be the test of our endeavours.

Press Release from IAUC, AOH & Brehon Law Society on Boston College

iauc — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:33:08 +0000

CLINTON & HOLDER PRESSED ANEW ON SUBPOENAS OF BOSTON COLLEGE RECORDS

COLLEGE PRESIDENT & MEMBERS OF CONGRESS URGED TO OPPOSE

January 18th New York City & Wash, D. C. The first session of the 2013 Congress is just starting and a new term for President Obama is beginning but a coalition of Irish-American groups are vigorously pursuing their three year campaign to convince Attorney General Eric H. Holder and Secretary of State Clinton that the British request for Irish records at Boston College is wrong. It constitutes a violation of the US-UK Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), violates American values of justice, contradicts British assurances and undermines the Irish peace process which is the settled public policy of three U. S. President’s.
“We recognize,” stated National Ancient Order of Hibernians President Brendan Moore, “that Britain is a valued partner in the investigation and prosecution of major money laundering, drug trafficking and terrorist crimes. This request, for records in Boston College and presumably in aid of a 1972 criminal investigation that never happened is a misuse of MLAT and an abuse of American goodwill and trust.”
Robert Dunne, President of the Brehon Law Society elaborated: “Just last month Prime Minister Cameron described the Police Service of NI (PSNI) collaboration with loyalist terrorists in 1989 to kill attorney Patrick Finucane as “shocking” and “appalling”. This is the police force that has requested these subpoenas. Until the re-hiring of retired PSNI officers (some of whom may well have been in on the collusion to kill Finucane), the PSNI had shown more transparency and professionalism. This request suggests the ‘bad old days’ have returned. ”
The President of the Irish-American Unity Conference, Thomas J. Burke Jr. an attorney in Denver, CO observed: “The ‘special relationship’ invariably comes under the most stress and closest scrutiny when Britain’s actions in Ireland are involved. But this episode is purely an American issue. We are asking Mr. Holder not to rubber stamp the request but to scrutinize more carefully the purposes of MLAT and to engage in a more in depth dialogue with the Department of State as MLAT provides.”
Litigation involving the researchers of the Belfast Project and Boston College in opposition to this request of Attorney General Holder argues not only that this request is a misuse of MLAT
but that important constitutionally protected academic and journalistic freedoms are also involved. A Writ of Certiorari is currently being reviewed in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.

-30-
For further information please contact the President’s as noted in the attached or saoirse64@hotmail.com.

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS BREHON LAW SOCIETY IRISH AMERICAN UNITY CONFERENCE

　
January 19, 2013
Eric H. Holder Jr., United States Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General, Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Rm. 5115
Washington, D. C. 20530
Dear Attorney General Holder:
It is now almost three years since the British government made an ill-advised request on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for records held in the Irish archives of the Burns Library at Boston College. We respectfully use the term ill-advised because the request does not qualify for the use of the US-UK Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).  It contradicts specific intentions and assurances the UK has given to U. S. Senators and others regarding the 1998 Belfast Treaty and US-UK extradition treaties; and, if it is honored, would constitute a betrayal of American values of justice and the rule of law.
You are aware that the Supreme Court is currently considering a Writ of Certiorari filed by the litigants Ed Moloney and Anthony McIntyre which challenges this misuse of the US-UK Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty(MLAT) and asserts the infringement of journalistic freedom and academic integrity. It is the resolution of this case which you have claimed in letters to our coalition and to Members of Congress prevents you from withdrawing enforcement of the subpoenas. Nothing in the MLAT requires a rubber stamping of the British request. In fact there are several determinations that are to be made, in consultation with the Department of State, before acknowledging and enforcing any request.
While we belive the arguments we have made in our previous correspondence (see attached) are sufficient to deny the UK query, we wish to bring to your attention two other issues for your consideration. In December last, the UK released the de Silva report, a review of documents, related to the murder of Irish attorney Patrick Finucane in 1989. Prime Minister Cameron stated in Parliament that the collusion of police, military and intelligence forces in the assassination of attorney Finucane, an officer of the court, was “shocking” and “appalling.” Unfortunately it was not shocking enough for anyone to be held accountable for their crimes. This is the police force Mr. Holder, that has made the dubious request for records in Boston College. More damning still is the fact that due to a policy of rehiring retirees by PSNI the very same officers involved in the collusion to murder Finucane, and most likely attorney Rosemary Nelson, could very well be back on the force and the source of this MLAT initiative.
Recently English jurist Lord Moses refused to approve, pursuant to the US-UK Extradition Treaty, the return to the U. S. of a fugitive child molester because he thought United States laws in dealing with such crimes too harsh. It occurs to us that with evidence of State sponsored murder of an officer of the court by government forces and no one held accountable, the first duty of the chief law enforcement officer of this nation is NOT to cooperate with those forces until there is accountability. Further you must give weight to our arguments that there are murderous elements of the PSNI that are determined to raise havoc with the Irish peace process by means of the subpoena request and other means.
We ask again that you not enforce but withdraw the subpoenas requested by the PSNI. We believe the seriousness of these issues are deserving of a considered response. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Brendan Moore                               Robert Dunne Esq.                              Thomas J. Burke Jr. Esq.
National President                         President                                                National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians      Brehon Law Society                            Irish American Unity Conference
845-712-5463                                 212-278-1565                                        303-478-8473
www.aoh.com                                                                                                       www.iauc.org

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, BREHON LAW SOCIETY, IRISH AMERICAN UNITY CONFERENCE

January 19, 2013

Hilary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C St NW, 7th Fl, Washington, D. C. 20520
　
Dear Madame Secretary:
It is now almost three years since the British government made an ill-advised request on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for records held in the Irish archives of the Burns Library at Boston College. We respectfully use the term ill-advised because the request does not qualify for the use of the US-UK Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT); it contradicts specific intentions and assurances the UK has given to U. S. Senators and others regarding the 1998 Belfast Treaty and US-UK extradition treaties; and, if it is honored, would constitute a betrayal of American values of justice and the rule of law.
We have previously provided members of your staff with a substantial body of work of the Committee on the Administration of Justice which documents the efforts by the British government to undermine specific provisions of the 1998 Belfast Agreement. You are already aware of the concerns that US Senator Kerry and 20 other Members of Congress have expressed related to the threats posed to the Irish peace process by Attorney General Holder’s subpoenas.
The litigation against Attorney General Holder’s issuance of the subpoenas to Boston College has been ongoing for two years and has now reached a point where a Writ of Certiorari, which seeks a review of the misuse of MLAT, is being considered by the US Supreme Court. We were one of four amicii who filed briefs in support of the Writ. It is enclosed.
More significantly, the British government released a so-called “review of government documents” related to the murder in 1989 of attorney Patrick Finucane. Prime Minister Cameron stated in Parliament that the collusion of police, military and intelligence forces in the assassination of attorney Finucane, an officer of the court, was “shocking” and “appalling.” Unfortunately not so shocking that anyone need be held accountable for their crimes. We wish to remind the Secretary that this is the same police force that has made the dubious request for records in Boston College. Indeed, due to a policy of rehiring retirees by PSNI the very same officers involved in the collusion to murder Finucane, and most likely attorney Rosemary Nelson, could ver well be back on the force with this mischievious request.
Your consultative role in this matter is stipulated in the MLAT, and is intended to prevent such abuse and exercised to insure American values of justice not be betrayed. What signal does it send to those dissident loyalist forces in Northern Ireland if the U. S. can look the other way at murder? The U. S. has not looked the other way when lawyers in China and Russia are threatened or killed. We believe strongly that the exercise of that discretion to oppose the UK request is warranted in addressing this PSNI request.
If you have any questions or are in need of any further documentation, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Brendan Moore                                     Thomas J. Burke Jr. Esq.                            Robert Dunne Esq.
National President                               National President                                           President
Ancient Order of Hibernians           Irish American Unity Conference              Brehon Law Society
845-712-5463                                       303-478-8473                                                   212-278-1565
www.aoh.com                                        www.iauc.org