Posted by Jim on May 9, 2013
ILIR set for major campaign to help more irish come to U.S. and legalize those here
By CAHIR O’DOHERTY,Irish Voice Reporter
As the Senate Judiciary Committee kicks off what is expected to be a lengthy process of debating and amending the immigration bill on Thursday, the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR), the group dedicated to creating a new legal pathway for the Irish in America, is gearing up for a major battle.
They will hold a fundraiser on Thursday, May 23 to bolster its lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.
“This is now probably the last opportunity the Irish American community has to address the long term issue of legal access to America for Irish immigrants,” ILIR president Ciaran Staunton told the Irish Voice.
To make the push for comprehensive reform, ILIR has organized in almost every state with Irish American communities, Staunton explains. “This is the last opportunity for Irish America to pry open the golden door for those who want to come here from Ireland,” he adds.
Since the last big effort to achieve reform several years ago with Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain leading the effort, ILIR has stayed working on Capitol Hill, Staunton explains. A perception among some in the Irish community that the lobby group had wound down many of its operations is inaccurate said Staunton.
“In the last number of years we’ve built up relationships on both sides of the aisle with very senior people in the House and Senate. The last two major immigration initiatives in 1965 and 1986 in the United States had huge effects on the Irish community and their effects are still being felt,” he said.
“The 1965 Act locked us out,” Staunton explains. “We weren’t at the table for the 1986 Act other than to get the Donnelly and the short term Morrison visas. So when the hearing on the new bill commences in Washington ILIR will retain consultants and lobbyists on both sides of the aisle, and we will also follow up on all the support it has secured around the country.”
Behind the scenes the relationships ILIR has built with senators and other leaders has continued.
“This is not the time for the previous big demonstrations we took to Washington,” Deirdre Foy, a volunteer ILIR activist explained about the large-scale rallies ILIR organized during the Kennedy-McCain efforts.
“This is the time to quietly win over lawmakers to our side. Now is the time to fundraise to support our continuing efforts.”
To that end the second annual Annie Moore Awards, named in honor of the Irish girl who was the first passenger registered through the immigration station at Ellis Island in 1892, will be held to honor prominent Irish Americans for their ongoing efforts on behalf of the Irish immigrant community.
This year ILIR has chosen to honor Brendan Murray, president of the Newport Group, a leading financial services firm, with the Patrick J. Donaghy Award, named after the retired chairman and founder of Structure Tone.
The second award recipient will be Michael Brewster, managing director of Credit Suisse, the international financial services group.
“Brendan Murray came here in the fifties and Michael Brewster came here in the nineties. Both rose to the top of their professions and they both share our aim of prizing open that golden door for Irish people,” Staunton said.
“We are not seeking preferential treatment. We are seeking equal treatment.”
The Annie Moore ceremony will be held at the New York Athletic Club on Central Park South on May 23, with tickets selling from $500 to $10,000. All monies raised will fund ILIR’s efforts to create a new legal pathway for the Irish in America.
“We’ve been doing a lot of behind the scenes work continuously with the friends we’ve made in D.C. over the years,” said Foy. “They’re very aware of the Irish portion of this reform push. The relationships we’ve established are standing us in good stead. We’re talking to the right people to make sure we’re not forgotten.”
In recent months the Irish lobby group has been invited to the White House and to every major briefing on immigration reform. On each occasion their message has been the same — there will not be comprehensive immigration reform unless there is legal access to America for future flow from Ireland.
“I think it’s important that people check out our Facebook page,” says Staunton. “We work very closely with other national Irish American organizations, and as this bill gets moving we will be all our members to be making calls to ensure we’re moving lawmakers to vote against the No Irish Need Apply 1965 Act.
“If we are successful with this bill then 50,000 undocumented will have a path to legalization and the future flow portion will allow the Irish to legally come to America in the years to come,” Staunton said.
Posted by Jim on May 6, 2013
May 5th was the 32nd anniversary of the death of Bobby Sands in the H Blocks of Long Kesh Prison – AKA The University of Freedom. I recently returned from a trip to Belfast and Derry. I was there with a group of friends that are part of the FFAI – Freedom For All Ireland. On Good Friday we participated in a conference commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement that brought the end to the Troubles and peace to Northern Ireland. After the conference, we participated in the stations of the cross in Down Patrick. They were officiated by Father Sean Rogan who is the priest that gave Bobby Sands the Last Rites in the hospital wing at Long Kesh Prison. On Easter Sunday, we marched in the 1916 Easter commemoration march up the Falls Road with the families of the Hunger Strikers to Milltown Cemetery. There was a very moving ceremony in the Republican plot at the graves of Bobby Sands, Joe McDonald, Kieran Doherty and many other Volunteers who gave their lives for the cause.
Bobby was on hunger strike for 66 days. He was only 27 years old when he died. Let us take a minute to remember our friend Roibeard Gearoid O’ Seachnasigh – Bobby Sands. Ni bheidh do leithidariamh ann arist – there will never be the like of you again!!
Maggie Thatcher instituted Internment and many men were sent on remand to the Crumlin Road Goal (jail). Dan and I visited the Crum with a former prisoner who was a guest there courtesy of Maggie. Gerard told us of the harsh conditions and treatment during his two and a half years there without being charged. When he finally was brought before a diplock court – a British judge and no jury – he was sentenced to seven years in Long Kesh.
Upon my return to the States, Maggie Thatcher died. Graffiti on the Peace Wall on the Falls Road said it best: “Iron Lady? RUST in peace”. I can only imagine Maggie reaching the Gates of Heaven and being greeted by Saint Peter and Saint Patrick. When Maggie tried to pass through the pearly gates, they reminded Maggie of all of the things that she had a hand in, in Northern Ireland:
• The Para unit she sent to Belfast in 1971t that resulted in the Ballymurphy Massacre
• The Para unit she sent to Derry in 1972 that resulted in 14 innocent people being shot dead on Bloody Sunday – it took 39 long years for the families to finally get vindication. The British government apologized and admitted the people killed that day were innocent.
• Internment……..prisoners held on remand…….diplock courts with no jury’s….
• Broken promises and agreements with Brendan Hugh’s and the first Hunger Strike in 1980
• 1981 – The deaths on Hunger Strike of Bobby Sands and the 9 brave men who followed
• 1989 – The death of Pat Finucane who was shot 14 times will eating dinner at home with his wife (who was also wounded) and his three children
With that said, Saints Peter & Patrick did not let Maggie pass through the gates of Heaven and sent her to the H Blocks of Hell.
In Bobby’s own words, “Our revenge will be the laughter of our children”.
I bhfad ar shiul From afar
Deanann soilse na Ceise The lights of Long Kesh
Breacadh breagach Make a false dawn
I speir no hoiche. In the night sky.
Thar an Cheis Fhada But over Long Kesh
Ni gealtar aon la No dawn brightens
Choiche. Ever.
In 2014, the International Center for Conflict Resolution will open on the site of the former Long Kesh Prison. Part of the Center will allow the Republicans and the Loyalists to tell their story and share their experiences. The Troubles in Northern Ireland was the longest occupation by British troops in the history of the British Empire. The Conflict Center will show the world that given the chance to sit down and negotiate, complex situations can be resolved. The plans will include one of the Quonset hut “Cages” from The University of freedom”, one of the H Blocks and the Hospital Center where the 10 Hunger Strikers died.
Saoirse!
Bob
Posted by Jim on April 30, 2013
Nationalists in north Belfast have walked out of a meeting with the Parades Commission after being told to stay clear of their own parish church this Sunday as yet another incendiary loyalist parade marches by.
For the second time in a month, Carrick Hill parishioners have been banned from standing outside St Patrick’s Church to protest the parades.
They were instructed to instead hold their protest against the routinely provocative parades at a nearby carpark.
The church has been targeted for sectarian abuse by such parades over the past twelve months, most controversially when a UVF-linked band circled outside the church to play sectarian tunes, before setting upon a local man who had video recorded the incident.
The residents, many of whom attend Mass at the church, say they should be allowed to stand outside their place of worship during the controversial parade.
They have also objected to the ‘kick-the-Pope’ bands being allowed to play music while passing nearby nationalist homes. Sunday’s parade is expected to attract up to 1,000 participants and three bands.
Residents have been told they will have to stand at a car park opposite and on a footpath between Trinity Street and No 18 Clifton Street. Their numbers have been restricted to just 30 at each location.
The outward leg of the parade will begin at 2.15pm and return no later than 6pm.
Residents’ spokesman Frank Dempsey said last night that residents were bewildered by the Parades Commission decision.
“I don’t know what the Parades Commission are trying to achieve here,”
he said.
“If they think for one minute the role they are playing is constructive, they need to think again.
“What they have done today is to separate a church from its people and we are not going to allow that to happen.
“The Parades Commission may not be aware that the church is its people.”
“We got up and left them and said we were fed up with their condescending attitude.”
Mr Dempsey said the community was angered at the Parades Commission for allowing the parade to go ahead in the absence of loyal order talks with residents.
Urging talks, the community leader said: “If the Apprentice Boys, Orange Order and Black Institution say there’s no need for the Parades Commission then they should sit down with the residents of Carrick Hill.”
For many republicans, the Parades Commission has became emblematic of the failure of the peace process to improve the lot of northern nationalists. While loyalists have routinely been allowed to ignore their determinations, the body’s sectarian decision-making reached crisis levels earlier this year when it failed to speak out against hundreds of illegal flag-related loyalist parades and protests.
Earlier this week, during during a rare House of Commons debate about the North, British Direct Ruler Theresa Villiers declared that decisions by the Parades Commission during the marching season must now be complied with.
There are real dangers for Northern Ireland if we see a reoccurrence of the disorder which has marred Northern Irelands marching season on too many occasions in years past. It damages Northern Irelands image abroad, she told MPs.
She said the British government is willing to listen to reforms of the Parades Commission if they are put forward together by the North’s political parties but until such time as that is settled it is vital that the Parades Commission is supported”.
Posted by Jim on
British government documents are being examined by a High Court judge who will decide if they should be disclosed to the family of Pat Finucane.
The Finucane family are bringing a legal challenge to the refusal to hold a full, independent inquiry into the 1989 murder of the leading Belfast defence lawyer. His assassination came after comments by a British minister about “IRA lawyers” and was carried out by British state agents operating within the unionist paramilitary UDA.
Justice Stephens said this week he needs to first inspect a series of documents and emails being sought by the Finucanes to consider their usefulness.
Mr Finucane’s widow Geraldine wants full access to the material including minutes from cabinet meetings and correspondence between Downing Street officials.
An official ‘review’ of the case by a British Crown barrister last year claimed that there had been no political decision to carry out the killing at the solicitor’s north Belfast home. But Mrs Finucane condemned the report by QC Desmond de Silva as “a whitewash” and “a sham”.
During her application for complete disclosure of notes and recordings, the court was told of emailed correspondence in which one of Mr Cameron’s closest advisers described the murder as far worse than anything alleged in Iraq or Afghanistan. Jeremy Heywood, now cabinet secretary, also questioned whether the British PM believed it was right to “renege” on a previous administration’s commitment to hold a public inquiry.
Lawyers for the Finucane family argued that the case is about the past and present abuse of state power.
They said it involved the killing of a lawyer perceived to be “a thorn in the side” of the British government and Crown forces.
It was claimed that the abuse of power continued in 2011 when the current government reneged on a commitment to hold a public inquiry.
The court heard details of an email Heywood sent to Simon King, a private secretary to the prime minister, ahead of a ministerial meeting in July 2011.
In correspondence already disclosed to the parties, he asked: “Does the PM seriously think that it’s right to renege on a previous government’s clear commitment to hold a full judicial inquiry?
“This was a dark moment in the country’s history – far worse than anything that was alleged in Iraq/Afghanistan.
“I cannot really think of any argument to defend not having a public inquiry. What am I missing?”
A reply email stated that the prime minister “shares the view this is an awful case, and as bad as it gets, and far worse than any post-9/11 allegation”.
Material being sought by the Finucanes’ lawyers includes original notes, minutes, recordings or transcripts of a meeting between the British Direct Ruler in Ireland and the prime minister, meetings of British officials and ministers, and copies of letters from MI5 to officials in Belfast, all dating from 2011.
It is expected the British government will seek partial censorship
(redaction) of the documents should the judge ultimately decide that the material should be handed over.
Sinn Fein Assembly member Gerry Kelly said the correspondence already revealed in court pointed to the web of cover-up within the British government from the time of Pat Finucane’s killing.
David Camerons intelligence advisor said evidence available internally to the British government would, and I quote suggest that within government at a high level this systematic problem with loyalist agents was known, but nothing was done about it.
It is clear from these comments why the British government are against a full public inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane.
If David Cameron is to break with what his predecessors have done in Ireland then he needs to honour the commitment given at Weston Park and hold a public inquiry into this murder.
If ever a case cried out for a public inquiry, this is one and these documents point to why the secrecy needs to end and the Finucane family be given access to the truth.
Posted by Jim on
Loyalists have returned to intimidate a Catholic girls’ school in north Belfast, almost 12 years after a previous campaign of violence and terror made international headlines.
A group of more than 50 loyalists gathered outside the Holy Cross primary school in a threatening manner on Thursday after earlier painting the kerb-stones outside the school red, white and blue.
The front gates of the school had to be closed in fear of a possible attack.
Tensions have mounted in the area since British Union Jack flags were hoisted outside the school in December by loyalists at the start of the violence over a decision to reduce the flying of the flag over Belfast City Hall.
Families of the schoolchildren said the trouble brought back painful memories of 2001, when those going to and from the school were forced to run a daily gauntlet of abuse and missiles, including urine, excrement and blast bombs.
It was not immediately clear what prompted Thursday’s protest, but loyalists have engaged in serious violence in recent months in protest at what they perceive to be increasing nationalist political influence, particularly in Belfast.
At the weekend, a major parade in support of UVF death squads saw over 8,000 loyalists march through the east of the city. Some journalists and photographers were later ‘escorted’ from the concluding rally.
On Monday, there was a shock for the Holy Cross schoolchildren when loyalists painted kerb-stones at the entrance to the school but nowhere else along the Ardoyne Road.
Irish National Teachers’ Organisation northern secretary Gerry Murphy said he feared a return to the 2001 “corridor of hate” blockade.
“It is a nasty echo of what happened before and I hope that we do not return to that.”
UVF FLAGGED
Meanwhile, the continued presence of UVF flags in east Belfast has raised tensions there.
Hundreds of UVF flags had been placed along the parade route by masked paramilitaries ahead of the march. The flags continue to fly throughout east Belfast despite promises by loyalists that they would be taken down.
SDLP justice spokesman Conall McDevitt said the removal of the flags would be a “major test” for the PSNI police.
“For the PSNI to gain public confidence they must be seen to uphold the law and must also follow through on any compromise and ensure parade organisers remain true to their word.”
Eirigi spokesperson Padraic Mac Coitir said the situation there again illustrated the partisan attitude of the PSNI and other agencies towards unionism.
It would appear that the PSNI, like the RUC before it, chooses its courses of action on the grounds of the political affiliations of those it is dealing with in short: there is one law for unionists and another set of laws for