1916 Societies are Growing
Posted by admin on September 21, 2013
by Roger Casement
The Irish diaspora looking afar at the mayhem caused by marauding loyalists in Belfast during the summer over the flying of British flags and rerouting of Orange parades must wonder: fifteen years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, just what progress is being made toward a United Ireland?
The British Secretary of State have rejected Sinn Fein’s call for a Border Poll as envisioned in the Good Friday Agreement, showing once again where the real power lies in the British occupied six counties. The Good Friday Agreement, St Andrews Agreement and Weston Park Agreements had at their basis, equality between the political spectrums in the North of Ireland; The results speak for themselves. Fifteen years on, there has been no Bill of Rights, no Irish Language Act, no agreement on the past and no agreement on a shared future. Irish symbols are reduced to sitting atop loyalist bonfires. The DUP seemingly have wiped the floor with Sinn Féin on the Long Kesh peace center project. Despite Loyalist propaganda that Republicans are getting all the spoils, Nationalists are still more likely to be unemployed and living in poorer social conditions than Unionists. The British refuse to allow independent investigations into state murders, destroy and withhold any evidence that incriminates their armed forces and government officials in running loyalist death squads. Internment without trial and incessant harassment of Irish Republican political activists by MI5 agents and rehired RUC protagonists has shown once again the futility of trying to make the six counties work. One could say the Orange State has never appeared stronger. Many now believe that a United Ireland has never appeared further away.
A number of local Irish diaspora are addressing this issue in a new way. Roger Casement Society SoCal is the first chartered 1916 Societies within the US. The basis of the group’s outreach is the 1916 Proclamation and at the core of their objectives is petitioning for One Ireland, One Vote. Whereas the Good Friday Agreement needs the consent of the British Government to hold a Border poll, and then a 50% plus one vote in the North to agree to it, the Societies believe that only the Irish people voting as a whole are entitled to and can deliver Irish Unity. The 1916 Societies are growing at an amazing rate all across Ireland’s 32 counties as many alienated Irish Republicans return to the principles of the Irish Proclamation.
Roger Casement Society SoCal plans educational events, discussion of Irish Republicanism, commemoration of historical events, and promotion of Irish culture, language and sport. The 1916 Societies are an independent organization which gives no allegiance or favor to any political organization. Individual members my favor or indeed be involved with political organizations, but the 1916 Societies as a collective body will remain independent. Membership of the 1916Societies is open to any Irish Republican regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation or ability, except to those who endorse British rule and accept crown forces as a legitimate force in any part of Ireland.
An introductory and informational event is being planned for Sunday 29 September, 2013 at 1:00PM, 8176 Atlanta Ave, in Huntington Beach, CA. (see attached flyer)
Upcoming events are being planned for Temecula and San Diego in the next two months for anyone interested in hearing more and revitalizing their interest in Irish Republicanism.
We encourage and offer our assistance with the formation of other 1916 Societies across the USA.
For further information contact us at 1916societies@gmail.com, Like us on facebook at: facebook.com/rogercasementsocietysocal and follow us on Twitter at @RCasementSoCal
Please RSVP to 1916Societies@Gmail.com if you would plan to attend the September event, or would like more information about the 1916Societies.