MC CORD TAKES HIS “TRUTH AND JUSTICE MOVEMENT” TO #10 DOWNING STREET
List of those attending meeting of Truth and Justice Movement in London Parliament building on Tuesday, October 19, 2021:
Members of Truth and Justice Movement: (As in above photo. Front row:Cathy McIlvenny and John Teggart. Back Row:Julie Hambleton,Raymond McCord, Chairperson, Joe Campbell, Eugene Reavey, Michael Gallagher, and Billy McManus.(Kate Nash, a member, is not in photo). The Truth and Justice Movement consists of victims’ relatives, and is “cross-community”—that is, Protestant and Catholic/Unionist/Nationalist. Politicians who attended meeting: Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, DUP; Joanna Cherry SNP; Sir Reg Empey, UUP; Paul Girvan DUP ; MP Gregory Campbell DUP ; MP. Jim Shannon DUP ; MP Carla Lockhart DUP ; MP Stephen Farry, Alliance Party; MP Colum Eastwood SDLP; MP, Baroness Suttie, Liberal Democrats, House of Lords , Baroness Bennett Green Party House of Lords; Baroness Smith Labor Leader House of Lords; Michelle Gildernew Sinn Fein MP; Orliath Begley, Sinn Fein MP; Micky Brady MP Sinn Fein; Chris Hazzard MP, Sinn Fein; Louise Haig Labor Shadow Secretary of State Northern Ireland, and others. Raymond Mc Cord explained:
“Every major political party in Ireland and the UK except the Tories have signed the pledge of support document, which I drafted on behalf of our group the Truth and Justice Movement.
The Irish Senate using the wording of our document have also rejected the proposals of the British government which include amnesties for murders, no prosecutions, no investigations, no inquests, and no civil actions.
We thank Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA) for authoring the Dear Colleague Letter, signed by 36 Congressmen/women and sent to Boris Johnson; and we call upon President Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and my friend Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA) to help us and all the victims in rejecting and stopping these proposals which only benefit the British state and security agencies. And, as always, I thank Fr. Sean McManus and the Irish National Caucus for constantly keeping the issue before Congress. (And I fully support their current good work in raising the Kincora-Richard Ker case in Congress).
Essentially, what we are asking for, at the very least, is ACOUNTABLITY, TRUTH AND JUSTICE from the British government. And we absolutely need the continued help , support and pressure of the United States Congress in our quest for accountability, truth and justice. The United States Congress and the Irish National Caucus have given me continued support since the Congressional Hearing in 2009. I now ask for that support to be extended to put pressure on the British government from taking away all hope from victims.”END.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson speaking after a service to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said he hopes lessons can be learned from a church service marking the centenary of Northern Ireland.
Sir Jeffrey was speaking following the service at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh, which was organised by the four main churches to mark the formation of Northern Ireland and the partition of Ireland in 1921.
The congregation was told by the Reverend Dr Sahr Yambasu, president of the Methodist Church in Ireland, that it was an “opportunity to imagine what could be, and to choose the way forward that can be mutually beneficial”.
Rev Yambasu also said that building an equal and just future on this island is a “moral imperative” we must fulfil.
The service was attended by various dignitaries and political leaders, including Sir Jeffrey, First Minister Paul Givan, PM Boris Johnson, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, UUP leader Doug Beattie, Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood.ADVERTISING
Irish President Michael D Higgins turned down an invitation to the service, after raising concerns it was being politicised, while the Queen had to cancel on doctor’s advice.
Following the service, Sir Jeffrey said he hoped the Irish President watched the service “to see what it was truly about”.
“It’s not about politics, it’s not about one side gloating or in any way seeking to be overbearing on the other, but actually all of us coming together to reflect on the journey that we have been on, difficult, painful that it has been at times but also a journey in which I hope we have learned a lot of things,” he said.
“I hope we have learned lessons from today, that we will reflect upon in the future and when we’re given the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder to reflect, to speak of hope, that in the future we will do it together.”
Mr Eastwood also urged those who did not attend a church service to “look at what happened”.
“If we want to create a shared island, we have to be prepared to share rooms with people who disagree with us,” he said.
“I don’t criticise anyone for not coming but I think they should look very carefully at what happened today, it was a reflection, it was a marking of an historical event. It was a hopeful service looking to the future.”
Beginning the service, the Very Rev Shane Forster, the Dean of Armagh, commented on the Queen’s non-attendance, paying tribute to her reconciliation work.
“As we lament our failures, sorrows and pain, and recognise our wounded yet living history, may we with a united voice commit ourselves to work together for the common good, in mutual respect and with shared hope for a light-filled, prosperous and peaceful future,” he added.
Scripture readings were given by Armagh school pupils, while a group of children sang ‘We are the Future of Tomorrow’, composed by Patsy Ford Simms. Three secondary school pupils also gave readings on their hopes for the future.
Lucy Addis told those in attendance: “My generation has only ever known peace and we should all inspire to learn more about our cultures. I hope we can focus on moving forward.”
Delivering the sermon, Rev Yambasu began by speaking about St Patrick, highlighting that, although he was a slave here, yet “he returned to spend the rest of his life enabling the Irish to find an alternative way of living in solidarity one with the other”.
“Patrick had every reason to hate the Irish and seek for vengeance. But he didn’t. Instead, he forgave and was forgiven,” he said.
Rev Yambasu said today is a marking point in the history of this island and society has come a long way, making efforts to build a better community.
“Born and raised in Sierra Leone – on the continent of Africa – I speak as one whose people were bought, sold, and used for profit; whose continent was partitioned without any reference to or consultation with its inhabitants and owners; and whose colour is seen as sufficient excuse to ignore their equal humanity with others,” he said.
“Consequently, I have spent the last 26 years on this island negotiating my acceptance as of equal value with Irish people.”
In finishing, he spoke of a story Greg Myre told about Nelson Mandela.
“He says that six times Mandela was offered conditional release from prison by the then apartheid government. Six times he refused. And one of the six times, he said this to his detainers, ‘I cherish my own freedom dearly, but I care even more for your freedom’,” he said.
“Embracing different others is not about promoting oneself. It is about creating space for each other to flourish. It is not about assimilating them into ourselves.
“It is about recognising that there is something of us in the ones we embrace. It is not about ignoring justice. It is about creating space within ourselves for the perceived wrongdoer in hope of reconciliation.
“That is what grace is. It is choosing relationship over being right.”
There were also words from four of the island of Ireland’s church leaders. The Most Rev Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, said he looks back on what happened in 1921 with a “deep sense of loss and also sadness”.
“Because for the past 100 years partition has polarised people on this island. It has institutionalised difference, and it remains a symbol of cultural, political and religious division between our communities,” he said.
“Today I reflect as a church leader on the last 100 years. I have to face the difficult truth that perhaps we in the churches could have done more to deepen our understanding of each other and to bring healing and peace to our divided and wounded communities.”
He added he stands with others hopeful and committed to building a better future.
The Right Reverend Dr David Bruce, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, said: “For now, I grieve the times when fear has held us back from building relationships with those with whom we differ. If we are to build a better future then we must recognise our own woundedness and our responsibility to care for the wounds of one another.”
Very Reverend Dr Ivan Patterson, president of the Irish Council of Churches, reflected on his involvement in inter-church youth work, adding: “We have heard their voices clearly and powerfully today, we need to learn from their example. They are a generation who want to build peace, a generation who respect and care for this planet in solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable here and around the world.”
Finally, the Most Reverend John McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, spoke of growing up in the late 50s and 60s in east Belfast.
“We obsessed about some things: especially borders. One way or another, we’re obsessing about them again, and being distracted from really thinking about what a good society would look like,” he said.
LEGAL action against the British Government over its failure to hold a public inquiry into the assassination of human rights solicitor Pat Finucane is set to be put back to next year.
A challenge by the murdered lawyer’s widow, Geraldine Finucane, was scheduled for a five-day hearing at the High Court in Belfast next month.
The case has been delayed by British Secretary of State Brandon Lewis, who has not lodged all necessary documents for the defence. The NIO has said it will need more time to prepare for the case.
Father-of-three Pat Finucane (39) was shot dead in his family home in North Belfast on February 12, 1989 in one of the most high profile cases of British State collusion.
In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that there had never been an “effective” human rights compliant investigation into his murder. In February 2019 the Supreme Court held that previous probes into the killing failed to meet Article 2 human rights standards.
After being forced through the courts to make a decision on the ruling, the British Government said in November that it would not hold a full public inquiry. At the time, the Secretary of State said the Government would instead wait on the outcome of reviews by the PSNI’s Legacy Investigations Branch and the Police Ombudsman.
Geraldine Finucane has since mounted a legal challenge against the decision, with the case due to be heard next month.
Following the latest delay, a new 2022 hearing date is is expected to be fixed in November.
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has called on the British Government to end their “stalling tactics”.
“The Finucane family has campaigned with courage and dignity for decades,” he said. “They simply want the truth behind the murder of their father, husband and brother.
“The British government’s refusal to honour its promises has frustrated the families of victims who are searching for the truth about the killings of their loved ones.
“It beggars belief that the British government claim that it needs more time to make its case to the courts, 32 years on from the killing of Pat Finucane. More than three decades on a full and properly human rights compliant investigation into Pat Finucane’s killing has yet to be carried out.
“The British Government need to end their stalling tactics and fulfil the promise it made many years ago and hold a full and independent public inquiry into the killing of Pat Finucane.
“People would be forgiven in thinking this is the latest attempt by the British government at running down the clock to bring in their amnesty proposals recently outlined in its Command Paper which would prevent any family getting truth and justice.
“If we are to properly address the past, the British government must live up to its commitment and obligation to implement the legacy mechanisms agreed in the Stormont House Agreement in a human rights compliant manner.”
The latest development has happened in the same week as Geraldine Finucane was presented with Sean MacBride Humanitarian Award by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in the US.
A large-scale British military operation is underway in the town of Armagh ahead of a provocative commemoration of the partition of Ireland involving Prime Minister Boris Johnson. England’s Queen Elizabeth has announced she has withdrawn from tomorrow’s event, citing ill health.Scores of top-ranking officials from the British administration are due to attend one of the largest public salutes to British rule in the north of Ireland in recent decades.
Amid last minute orchestrations by the organisers, Armagh residents have said they are already under siege. Since Monday, armoured PSNI vehicles have been establishing ‘exclusion zones’ in the town, while unmarked British military vehicles have also been deployed. Larger movements of British Army vehicles in the Belfast area have also been seen as evidence that a major military operation is underway.
Earlier this month, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins drew attention to the one-sided and territorial nature of the commemoration when he announced he would not be attending, generating a wave of public support.
The subsequent decision to attend by two Dublin government ministers, Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney and Jack Chambers of Fianna Fáil, sparked significant anger within both parties.
Irish church leaders have also faced condemnation for providing cover for a unionist propaganda event. Styled as a multi-denominational service, it takes place tomorrow at the Protestant (Church of Ireland) Cathedral in the predominately nationalist town of Armagh.
A series of events are currently being held by unionists and British officials to mark the partition of Ireland by the Anglo-Irish Treaty 100 years ago. The treaty brought about the disastrous division of Ireland into two statelets when Irish negotiators were forced to agree to sever the island under threat of “immediate and terrible war”. It plunged the South into a devastating civil war.
One of the more provocative ‘NI100’ (Northern Ireland 100) celebrations so far was a reconstruction of the actions of the murderous paramilitary B-Specials police, who brutally enforced unionist domination in the North for almost five decades. Participants in the town of Coleraine in County Derry dressed in full B-Special attire on Saturday and staged a mock road checkpoint using a vintage car. The event recalled one of the more shocking actions of the force, the infamous attack on civil rights marchers at the nearby village of Burntollet in 1969.
The triumphalist nature of the current celebrations was confirmed today with reports that Boris Johnson is to personally attend tomorrow’s event in Armagh. In the context of his government’s recent anti-Irish prejudice and bad faith, news of his attendance added insult to the local nationalist population and the Irish people as a whole.
A protest vigil is being organised for all republicans, nationalists and others to meet up in the town tomorrow morning. The 32 County Sovereignty committee said the meeting point for the vigil would be at the Irish and Local Studies Library, 39c Abbey Street, Armagh, at 9.30am on Thursday 21st October. They said the gathering would recall “all those who have suffered as a direct result of the British occupation and partition of our country”, and welcomed “all relevant banners and posters”.
A spokesperson for Anti-Imperialist Action, which is also protesting the commemoration, said “Britain has no right to be in Ireland and should get out now. The only comments the Irish people want to hear from British imperialists is a declaration of their intent to withdraw from our country.
“The illegal occupation and partition of Ireland will never be accepted,” they added. “History has shown so long as British imperialist interference in Ireland continues, so will resistance.”
An Gorta Mór – The Great Hunger continues to shape US and Irish society. It has taken 160 years for the population of Ireland to reach the pre-famine levels. Those escaping a British Government policy that turned a potato blight into a famine made their way to the US. Generations of those who took the coffin ships from Ireland, have built America. It is fitting to remember and it is essential to learn from our past. It is part of who we are. Yet Quinnipiac University has announced the permanent closure of Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum ( Músaem An Ghorta Mhóir). A committee to save the museum that includes many leading Irish Americans has written to the university seeking them to reverse their decision to close.A Facebook group has been set up to save the museum. Supporters also include the Plymouth Massachusetts division of the AOH We hope that this decision will reconsider and the collection remains intact for future generations
