Posted by Jim on March 13, 2017
Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she plans to trigger
another independence referendum. She said the new poll should be held
between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, once the terms of Britains exit
from the European Union have become clear.
“Right now, Scotland stands at a hugely important crossroads,” she said,
in a keenly watched speech today at her official residence in Edinburgh.
“We didn’t choose to be in this position. In common with most people
across the country, I wish that we weren’t. But we are, and the stakes
are high – so we must have a plan for the way forward.”
She pointed to a series of hazards facing Scotland under London rule,
not just the prospect of being pulled out of the EU and single market,
but also the likelihood of hard-right Conservative government continuing
for decades and taking back powers already devolved to Edinburgh. This
all had implications for jobs, opportunities, public spending and living
standards, she said, as well as forfor Scottish society and democracy.
“In short, it is not just our relationship with Europe that is at
stake,” she said. “What is at stake is the kind of country we will
become.
“At times of change and uncertainty, the instinct to do nothing and just
hope for the best is understandable. But, in my view, it is not the
right one. At times like these, it is more important than ever to have a
clear plan for the way ahead – to try, as far as is possible, to be in
control of events and not just at the mercy of them.”
She added that “for all we know” London is on the verge of triggering
Article 50, amid reports that British PM Theresa May could issue formal
notice of quitting the EU as soon as tomorrow.
“Not only is there no UK wide agreement on the way ahead – but the UK
government has not moved even an inch in pursuit of compromise and
agreement. Our efforts at compromise have instead been met with a brick
wall of intransigence,” she said.
“UK membership of the single market was ruled out with no prior
consultation with the Scottish Government or with the other devolved
administrations – leaving us facing not just Brexit, but a hard Brexit.
“There has been talk of special deals for the car industry and others,
but a point blank refusal to discuss in any meaningful way a
differential approach for Scotland.
“And far from any prospect of significant new powers for the Scottish
Parliament, the UK government is becoming ever more assertive in its
intention to muscle in on the powers we already have.
“The language of partnership has gone, completely. And there should be
little doubt about this – if Scotland can be ignored on an issue as
important as our membership of the EU and the single market, then it is
clear that our voice and our interests can be ignored at any time and on
any issue.
“That cannot be a secure basis on which to build a better Scotland. But
it is where we stand today.”
Posted by Jim on March 12, 2017
Bloody Sunday
As gray clouds ladened the Derry sky
People gathered with voices high
Bodies in motion through joining arms
With cries for justice echoing afar.
But foreign troops edged our walls
Taking positions that made no sense
And as the march proceeded in faith
Their military presence shattered our peace.
Though spirits were lifted by a cause so grand
Harmony was crushed by thunderous lead
Victims fell as young blood spilled
With streets running red with jolts of fear.
As many eyes filled with sorrowful tears
And hearts were broken by events so cursed
Our young men lined up to take the pledge
And in the end — resistance spread.
Though ’72 has long since past
And peace now rains where injustice stood
Our past reminds us of progress made
Yet our nation’s unity remains — long overdue!
Gríoghár Seán Ó Canannáin
Posted by Jim on March 10, 2017
There have been vocal and widespread calls for Irish reunification in
the face of the British government’s determination to leave the European
Union and a historic election result last week which has delivered
unprecedented political strength for nationalism and Sinn Fein.
Speaking on the Falls Road in west Belfast, flanked by senior party
representatives, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams pointed to the
significance of the fact that the unionist majority at Stormont has been
ended by last week’s election.
“The notion of a permanent or a perpetual unionist majority has been
dismantled,” he declared.
For the first time, unionists do not have an overall majority at the Six
County legislature, which dates back to the partition of Ireland. Sinn
Fein came within one seat of drawing level with the DUP, and only 1,168
first preference votes separated the two parties.
The result means the DUP no longer has enough Assembly members to use
their veto on political change without external support.
Mr Adams said that the election in the north had been “a watershed”.
“This has brought an end to the unionist majority in the Assembly,” he
said. “It has also demolished any notion of a perpetual unionist
majority in the north. This needs to be reflected in the approach of the
unionist parties and the two governments.”
The increase in Sinn Fein vote came after the party successfully
challenged unionist corruption, as well as the failure of unionists and
the British government to deliver on talks deals dating back to 1998. On
the back of an increased turnout, the party secured 27 seats,
maintaining its numbers at Stormont in spite of the reduction of
assembly seats, on an increase of almost 4 percentage points on last
May’s result.
In a blog post, Mr Adams said there was now a need for political leaders
“to co-operate with other progressives to create real changes in
peoples’ lives based on everyone’s right to equality.” His full post is
included below.
But its response to the election result, Republican Sinn Fein described
it as a “setback” for republicans and the Irish working-class. Stormont
remained a “fundamentally undemocratic” assembly “kept under the strict
control of British imperialism, designed to give British rule in Ireland
a democratic mantle”, they said.
Republican Network for Unity Chairperson Stephen McCourt, meanwhile
called for a realignment of republicanism to challenge the Six County
administration. “We need to begin a process of working together,” he
said. “Factionalism and protesting in isolation is allowing Stormont to
dominate the narrative.”
But the election has ignited strong new demands for Irish reunification.
In the past week, three university student unions have voted
overwhelmingly in favour of taking an official stance for Irish
reunification. Mainstream media commentators have also rowed in behind
the concept of Irish unity, motivated equally by Brexit and the election
result.
Political analyst Siobhan Fenton, writing in the London Independent
wrote: “A united Ireland is no longer hypothetical or absurd, but a
credible option that must be considered seriously by both the Irish and
British governments.”
Irish Times columnist Noel Whelan wrote: “We need to talk about Irish
unity. We have been avoiding the conversation in the Republic for too
long. The ground has shifted quite dramatically on the question in
recent years. Last week’s Assembly Elections in Northern Ireland was a
reflection of that new reality. The results of that election should now
also serve as a lightbulb moment for nationalism south of the border.”
Economist and financial analyst Chris Johns pointed to the need to
explain to northern unionists that “their economic future looks far
rosier in the EU rather than outside, and the only way to achieve that
is to accept Irish reunification”.
But there has also been an opposite reaction from unionist extremists.
One English commentator, Melanie Phillips, writing for The Times of
London, caused an angry backlash after she called for the 26 Counties to
be reintegrated into the “authentic unitary nation” of the UK, asserting
that Ireland has but “a tenuous claim to nationhood, having seceded from
Britain as the Irish Free State only in 1922”.
Daniel Mulhall, Irish ambassador to Britain, pointed to Ireland’s 100
years since the proclamation of the Republic outside the GPO in Dublin.
“Irish nationhood based on strong sense of identity, distinctive culture
and shared values and interests. Nothing ‘tenuous’,” he wrote.
Posted by Jim on
There have been warnings that the 26 County government is once again
operating a supergrass system against political activists after an
alleged paid informer played a part in the conviction of two men
in Dublin this week.
Edward McGrath and Sharif Kelly were jailed by the non-jury Special
Criminal Court on the basis of the testimony of David Cullen, who was
originally arrested and charged alongside the two men, before turning
state witness.
It was the second trial of McGrath and Kelly for the death of alleged
informer Peter Butterly after their first trial collapsed in January
2015.
In a statement, the Saoradh political party said Cullen’s testimony had
been fabricated for the purpose of securing convictions. They said
Cullen entered the republican E3 landing of Portlaoise Gaol four years
ago, also charged in connection with the Butterly killing, but in 2014
instructed his lawyer to contact the gardai and ask for the murder
charge to be dropped in return for statements.
“This was the beginning of a process of paid perjury,” they said. “Two
days later Cullen was taken away under the protection of armed guards…
Cullen’s relationship with special branch resembled a transaction, with
demands made for large sums of money and monthly payments being
arranged.”
They said Cullen attempted to implicate his own father and even his
landlord, but eventually Special Branch had others smeared and arrested,
one of whom was a republican prisoner already being held in Portlaoise
jail.
A first trial collapsed after the defence discovered the prosecution had
attempted to hide the fact that Cullen had admitted to gardai that he
had a serious grudge against one of the accused men.
“Even the so-called Special Criminal Court couldn’t sell this biased
version of events to the public,” Saoradh said. They warned progressive
groups that this case, “should it pass unchallenged”, would be used in
the future against protest groups, environmentalists, anti-war
demonstrators and trade union activists.
“As the state has shown in the past what it first perfects on Irish
Republicans it uses where and when and against whoever it chooses. It is
incumbent on all activists that come into conflict with the powers that
be, that they raise their voices now lest Republicans are telling them
‘we told you so’ when they become the target.”
Posted by Jim on
The family of jailed republican Tony Taylor are to stage a protest this
Saturday afternoon, 11 March, at Strand Road PSNI base in Derry to mark
the first anniversary of his internment without trial. The following
petition explains the case and all republicans are urged to show their
support.
March 10th 2016 was a typical late winter Thursday in Derry, the second
largest city in the six county area of Ireland still under British rule.
Shops were fairly busy, families were in & out taking care of business &
the city was carrying on as usual. Forty eight year old Tony Taylor, a
well liked & well respected community activist & family man, was on a
shopping outing with his wife & children to the Crescent Link Retail
Park. Suddenly the family car was stopped & surrounded by by police
cars. Tony was taken away without any explanation & brought straight to
Maghaberry prison – without questioning, charge or trial. He was denied
legal representation & given no specifics as to why he was being
imprisoned – he was just picked up, lifted & placed behind bars. He is
still there today.
Tony’s family (his wife, two teenage girls and his son, who has physical
and mental disabilities and who also suffers from epilepsy) were
completely traumatized by the arrest.
What family wouldn’t be?
Tony’s continued absence has his loved ones devastated. His disabled son
is totally dependent now on his mother, who herself is physically and
emotionally drained from her husband’s detention & his long-term
absence. .
Tony himself has suffered periods of punishment & solitary confinement
in Maghaberry Prison. He has had necessary medications denied him. He
has been torn from his family & his community, despite “on the record”
support from community leaders, the Derry City Council & leading
politicians. He is facing years behind bars while supporters from
Ireland & around the world have joined the “Free Tony Taylor” campaign
and called for his release.
British ears remain deaf to their outrage while British eyes remain
blind to the demands of justice.
In tTony’s part of Ireland that’s business as usual.
Why, you may ask, is Tony Taylor still in Maghaberry Prison today when:
No charges have been brought against him,
No evidence of wrongdoing has ever been presented,
No detailed explanation has ever been provided for his continued
incarceration?
The real reason Tony Taylor is in prison is that the powers that be want
to shut him up, isolate him from his community & bury him in a prison
cell.
The how & why of that, however, requires a deeper look at Tony & at
British law as it applies to the six counties.
Tony is defiantly opposed to British rule in any part of Ireland & has
been for all of his life. He is also a leader, a tireless community
worker & someone whose voice is listened to & respected.
In other words, he is someone the British fear.
In 1994 he was sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was seriously
injured in a premature explosion in Derry. He was subsequently released
under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
In March 2014, after almost three years on remand (imprisoned without
bail while awaiting trial) in Maghaberry prison, Tony was convicted and
sentenced to eight years – three in custody and five out of prison but
on license – for Republican activity.
When Tony emerged from Maghaberry in August 2014, he dedicated himself
to rebuilding his life, while focusing his Republican activism in the
political arena – on community empowerment and prisoner welfare issues.
In addition, he was instrumental in rebuilding the Republican Network
for Unity political party in Derry.
On October 17, 2015 Tony was detained by police in Derry and interviewed
over two days at Musgrave Street Police Station about alleged republican
activity. Tony was quoted as saying the timing of his arrest was
deliberate and intended to prevent him from leading a protest in Derry
city that day against a police recruitment event. After the two day
interrogation Tony was unconditionally released by the police & his file
was turned over to the public prosecutor’s office.
On July 15, 2016 the prosecutor’s office announced that no charges were
to be filed against Tony.
Even after this, Tony was not released.
So what do we have? A committed Republican who, upon his release from
prison, passionately becomes involved in the politics of his city &
dedicates himself to his family & his community.
Isn’t that what he was supposed to do?
The government says there are no charges against him. No evidence is
produced to justify his imprisonment. Yet he’s still behind bars!
Welcome to the wonderful world of British law in Ireland.
The top British official in the six counties is the Secretary of State
for Northern Ireland. This official is appointed by the Queen of England
at the recommendation of the British Prime Minister. The position was
created in 1974 when London took over direct rule of the north during
the troubles. No Irish person has ever held the post, neither loyalist
nor nationalist.
When it comes to prisoners & their license to be out of prison, the
Secretary’s word is law – literally. There is no due process or channel
for oversight. None. The Secretary has the only real & final say in the
matter. Period. There is a parole commission that makes recommendations
but its meetings are cloaked in secrecy & their recommendations are
forwarded to the Secretary. He or she makes the decision, which, once
made, is final.
(These commission hearings are so secret that Tony cannot even get
access to them or their transcripts, even though they are about and
regarding him – & are a determining factor in his imprisonment.)
In September 2012 then Prime Minister David Cameron appointed Theresa
Villiers, an English aristocrat & conservative mp for the North London
constituency of Chipping Barnet, as the Northern Ireland Secretary of
State. Ms Villiers was so concerned about Ireland that throughout her
tenure she spent three days a week in her London constituency. In March
2016 it was Ms. Villiers who revoked Tony’s license & resisted all
appeals for his freedom. The only explanation she has ever given is
that, in her opinion, he constituted “a public risk”.
On July 14 2016 Ms Villiers, a casualty of the Brexit vote, resigned her
position & left the British cabinet altogether.
This petition calls on her replacement, James Brokenshire, the incoming
Secretary of State, to review Tony’s case, do the right thing in the
absence of evidence or charges & set him free. There is no justification
for his continued imprisonment, nor for the continued hardship on his
family.
Due process is one of the foundations of democracy & is a human right
every person in Ireland is entitled to. No government should be able to
imprison someone based on the whim of an appointed official. No system
that calls itself “fair” should allow that to happen.
Tony Taylor deserves to be free. The British need to be put on notice
that the imprisonment of Irish men & women “just because” is not
acceptable in a modern democracy or in today’s world.
The time is now, the necessity is great. Our voices, raised together,
can produce a shout loud enough for even the British government to hear.
The opportunity to be heard & do something important is staring you
right in the face.
Sign this petition & help give Tony & his family the real possibility of
being together again soon.
Sign it & help give Derry one of its leaders back on the streets where
he belongs.
Don’t sign it & it may be your voice they come to silence next.
As Martin Luther King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
everywhere”
Please join with Tony, his family, friends 8 supporters from around the
world in saying: “BRITIAN, END THIS INJUSTICE NOW!”
Sign the petition by clicking on:
https://change.org/p/northern-ireland-secretary-of-state-free-tony-taylor-now