Let’s go FDNY
Posted by Jim on March 27, 2022
The Only Way Forward
Posted by Jim on March 25, 2022
Truth, Justice and the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement The Only Way Forward The United States of House of Representatives passed Resolution 888, a resolution that supports the calls for truth and justice for the Bloody Sunday Families, rejects the British Government’s proposals to end all judicial investigations into the past, and supports the full implementation of agreements including the Irish Protocol. The Resolution was introduced by Rep. Keating and Rep. Fitzpatrick and co-signed by 46 members of Congress. Support for the resolution was bipartisan and comes at the end of a week of engagements between the Sinn Féin Leadership and Congress. The resolution was passed unanimously.Thanking Congressional leaders for their support from Capitol Hill Ms. Sinn Féin Vice President Michelle O’Neill said:“The US Administration and senior political leaders on Capitol Hill have been absolutely unequivocal in their support for the Good Friday Agreement and the Protocol. “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was very clear when she said if there is any hardening of the border, there will be no US trade deal with Britain.“The US has invested almost a quarter of a century in the Agreement and understands that it is a cornerstone of the peace process and needs to be strongly defended. There will be no renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement before or after the Assembly elections, regardless of the attempts of the DUP and English Tories to undermine it.“Those committed to democracy need to commit to working together in the Assembly, Executive, North South Ministerial Council and East West structures and this needs to happen regardless of the outcome of the elections. Nothing less is acceptable.”
US President speaks out as unionists obsess on protocol
Posted by Jim on March 24, 2022
US President Joe Biden has responded to continuing unionist and British efforts to use Brexit to reinforce the partition of Ireland with a warning that the Good Friday Agreement “cannot change”.Appearing at the traditional St Patrick’s Day shamrock ceremony in the White House, Mr Biden said the outcome of the peace process must be protected from continued wrangling over post-Brexit arrangements for the north of Ireland.
Speaking about the relationship between the two countries, the US President said: “Our nations both are deeply committed to protecting the hard-won gains of peace in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement has been the foundation of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland for nearly 25 years. It cannot change.”
In a speech which was well received in Irish American circles, Mr Biden said his administration “look forward to supporting the next Northern Ireland Executive after the upcoming Assembly elections, which are on their way.”
However, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has continued to insist he will not permit a return of power-sharing in Belfast unless his demands for extensive changes to the Protocol are met.
Under the Protocol, goods traded at ports in the north of Ireland are subject to customs and safety checks, which prevents a hard border through Ireland and allows businesses in the Six Counties to have access to both the EU and British markets.
Unionists have sought to use grandstanding opposition to the protocol to fuel their election campaigns, but with little success.
Their efforts to reverse the Protocol suffered a further setback last week when appeals to a ruling against legal challenges to the lawfulness of the Brexit deal were dismissed. The action was pursued in the names of a variety of unionists and far-right British politicians.
Ulster Unionist peer, Reg Empey, a former leader of his party, said the DUP’s position was an “admission of total failure”.
Empey said he was alarmed by Donaldson’s statement that the “only leverage we have is our participation in those institutions – that is the reality, and if we continue to do business as usual we will be taken for granted”.
“We all remember the picture of Sir Jeffrey signing the ‘confidence and supply’ deal which led to the DUP supporting both the Theresa May and Boris Johnson governments,” he said, adding: “If this is all he’s got after 25 years, what does it say about the strategy and tactics that he and his party have adopted?”
LADIES AOH LAUNCH UKRAINE APPEAL
Posted by Jim on March 10, 2022
LAOH National President Karen Keane
Ladies AOH Launch Ukraine Appeal
March 09, 2022 by Irish Echo StaffFacebookTwitterMore5
The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians have launched an appeal for the people of Ukraine.
The LAOH, in a release, said that throughout its history it had assisted those in need and that many members had asked how the LAOH could help the Ukrainian people. As a result, an appeal was initiated by LAOH Catholic Action Officer Peggy Cornish of California with the approval of National President Karen Keane of New York.
Stated the release: “The need is great with 2.9 million people affected in Ukraine and the bordering countries. The LAOH is an Irish American Catholic Organization with Christian Charity as an integral part of the motto.
“Individual members, Divisions, County and State Boards of the Organization are requested to assist in this Appeal. The suggested donation is $50 per Division. Any amount both large or small is greatly appreciated.
“You do not have to be a Hibernian to make a donation. We welcome donations from all those who want to help those affected by this war in the Ukraine. All LAOH donations will be sent to Catholic Relief Services to be distributed to those in need. Please make out the checks to: Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc. with Ukraine in the memo Mail to: Peggy Cornish LAOH Catholic Action Officer 141 N. Kinsella Ave. Covina, CA 91724.
“The LAOH is united in solidarity with the people of Ukraine through our prayers and monetary support. As much as the Ukrainian people need the physical necessities of life they also need our prayers. We ask all our members to say three Hail Marys every day for peace in the world. We know what it means to come from a war-torn land; let us not forget our sisters and brothers in the Ukraine,” added the release.
