A huge protest against Brexit in London today [Saturday] is thought to be one of the biggest in British history.
The protest comes as Theresa May’s government in London inched forward once again towards the cliff-edge of a crash Brexit. Repeatedly defeated by her own MPs on a deal to withdraw from Europe, May has failed to identify any other option after almost three years of negotiations.
An additional period of two weeks for a deal to be approved was agreed this week by EU leaders after May had sought an extension to the March 29 deadline. The European Council also allowed for a preparation period for a crash Brexit until only May 22, avoiding the possibility of Britain and the north of Ireland taking part in European Parliament elections.
A clear message was sent by the estimated one million people marched on Westminster today. The ‘Put it to the People’ demonstration called on the London parliament to give voters in Britain the right to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to whatever deal MPs finally come up with on Brexit.
The huge march was even bigger than the previous demonstration organised by the grassroots People’s Vote campaign back in October 2018, which was attended by around 700,000 people.
Demonstrators wore blue and yellow berets and flew large EU flags above the crowd as the march slowly made its way to Parliament Square. Placards bore messages urging the Tories to “revoke article 50” and for Brexit to be put to the people.
The deputy leader of the Labour opposition party, Tom Watson, told demonstrators the only way to resolve the Brexit impasse is “for people themselves to sign it off”. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that “this is now the moment of maximum opportunity… the EU’s decision to postpone things until at least April 12 has opened a window, and those of us who oppose Brexit must seize the chance it offers.”
Meanwhile, a petition site operated by the British government hit a record of 4.5 million signatories calling for the Brexit process to be suspended.
The scale of the crisis facing Britain and Ireland was made clear this week when it emerged plans were advanced to house a Brexit military operations center in a reinforced concrete bunker in the Whitehall area of London. Meanwhile, the leaders of British business and labor unions set aside their differences to make a joint appeal to Theresa May to change course or risk an economic disaster.
Top officials at the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress said Thursday that Britain faces a “national emergency” if Tory racists and unionist hardliners succeed in pulling Britain, and the north of Ireland, out of the EU without a trade deal.
Reports suggested European leaders were bewildered at Mrs May’s unwillingness to set out her plans should she fail to win support of Westminster MPs for the deal this week, at a third time of asking, despite evidence that she could be landed with an even larger defeat than last time.
The 26 County Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said events were in “uncharted territory. I’ve almost given up speculating on what’s going to happen next.”
Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said that Brexiteers in the DUP and Tory party need to accept reality and change course. He said the two-week extension “does not solve Brexit or avoid the possibility of a devastating crash-out.”
BORDER PROTEST
Meanwhile, Border Communities against Brexit are going ahead with a major anti-Brexit protest for various points on the border through Ireland on Saturday March 30th at 3:00pm.
These mobilisations will take place at border crossings at: Old Dublin Road, Carrickcarnon; Belcoo-Blacklion; Aghalane; Moybridge, Aughnacloy; Lifford Bridge; and Bridgend.
“We are asking everyone living along the border, on either side, to make an effort to attend their nearest demonstration,” they said in a Facebook post.
“We are calling on all trade unions, representative groups, civic leaders and citizens to join with us in demonstrating our anger at being taken out of the EU and our opposition to any return to a hard border in Ireland.
“We will be sending to a very clear message that the people of the border region and, indeed, the people of Ireland will not acquiesce in any construction of new border installations, Customs posts or on any restriction of movement in their own country.
“We will not tolerate any new hard border in Ireland. It is time to make your voice heard. It is time for action. It is time to protest. Join with us on the border on 30th March.”
A banner carried in the annual St Patrick’s Day parade in New York has become a battle line in the upcoming elections in Ireland.
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald caused a controversy — for some — by posing with a banner reading ‘England get out of Ireland’. The only political banner allowed in the parade, it has been proudly carried there for over 70 years. The simple message of Irish nationalism, Sinn Fein said, requires no explanation.
Fine Gael and the Irish establishment media saw a ‘gaffe’ and a political opportunity. They claimed the banner was an expression of sectarian bigotry, and attacked Ms McDonald for being photographed with it.
The description efforts bemused Irish Americans, who have presented the same message as far back as the the time of the United Irishmen. Wolfe Tone, a founder of Irish republicanism, said he wanted “to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country”.
The Brehon Law Society, who carried the banner, said it reflected the desire of millions of Irish Americans and the Irish diaspora for the reunification of Ireland.
“It is an iconic statement that has been carried in the NYC Parade by many groups for decades. Irish reunification must be planned for and discussed openly and inclusively,” they said.
“As a Law Society dedicated to peace and justice for a united Ireland, we are grateful for the opportunity to express a deeply-held sentiment felt by many Irish and Irish-Americans.”
But stung by self-righteousness, Fine Gael Tanaiste Simon Coveney wrote on Twitter: “Mary Lou McDonald this is NOT leadership – it’s offensive, divisive and an embarrassment – grow up, this is NOT #Ireland in 2019! We are better than this!”
Alliance leader and east Belfast representative Naomi Long took offence on behalf of English people, declaring the nationalist sentiment to be hostile “to anyone English or of English extraction”. Green Party leader Clare Bailey went further, and claimed it called into question Ms McDonald’s commitment to “equality and rights”.
There was also no shortage of unionists to take wilful offence, despite not featuring in the banner’s message. DUP MP Gregory Campbell claimed it showed Sinn Fein wanted unionists to leave Ireland, while Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said Sinn Fein had ‘returned to type’.
Adding to their anxiety were signs of an increase in support for Irish republicanism internationally, with IRA slogans being sung with gusto on a BBC primetime television show ‘This Time with Alan Partridge’, and by the crowds at boxer Michael Conlan’s entrance into the ring at New York’s Madison Square Gardens.
Fine Gael has now decided to make Sinn Fein a target at its annual conference this weekend in Wexford, where DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson will make a ‘surprise’ appearance alongside a cast of other Sinn Fein critics, including Fine Gael’s new signing, former Derry-based SDLP leader Mark Durkan, now rebranded as a Fine Gael candidate in the European elections in Dublin.
For its part, Sinn Fein showed no sign of being troubled. A Sinn Fein spokesman said: “The most divisive and offensive act on this island for almost the last 100 years has been the partition of Ireland.
“It should come as no surprise that Sinn Fein wants a new united Ireland under the provisions of Good Friday Agreement.
“However if Simon Coveney and the government is serious about achieving a new and agreed united Ireland then he should immediately convene an all-Ireland forum on Irish unity.”
Coveney’s attempt to turn a simple appeal for national freedom into a smear to attack republicans brought back echoes of his party’s avid anti-Irishness in years past. It is no coincidence that the controversy arises with elections set to take place in May.
The photograph was also no ‘gaffe’ — Sinn Fein has been actively highlighting its return to its republican roots after a change in political direction saw it lose almost two-thirds of its electoral support in October’s Presidential election. This year, partly as a result of Brexit, it has adopted a more traditional stance, and the New York banner is a sign of that.
“You have to remember what is that banner about?” said Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill.
“It’s about the end of partition in Ireland and, as Irish republicans, that is what we are about – ending partition, partition has failed.
“I think some of our opponents have tried to spin this and turn it into that it’s about individuals or people with a British identity, or people who are English. It’s not about that, it’s about the relationship between Britain and Ireland.
“And I don’t think it should be a surprise to anyone that the president of Sinn Fein, a republican party, would stand behind a banner that actually says that we want to end partition.”
MEMORIAL MASSOn Thursday, March 28, 2019, at 1000 hours, E-24/L-5/B-2 will have a Memorial Mass honoring the memory of Captain John J. Drennan, L-5, FF James F. Young, E-24 and FF Christopher J. Siedenburg, E-24, who made the supreme sacrifice on March 28, 1994. The mass will take place at St. Anthony’s Church located at Sullivan and West Houston Streets, Manhattan. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform. BAYSIDE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADEThe 2nd annual Bayside St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at 11:00 AM. This year’s Grand Marshal will be Chief Ed Kilduff, Retired Chief of Department, with Aides Phil Brady, Martin Dolan, Betty McLoughlin, John Ryan, and Rev. Msgr. Thomas Machalaski, Sacred Heart. Formation location has been updated, and will now be between 35th and 36th Avenues at 10:30 AM. Pipe Band and Color Guard will be marching as well. All members participating in the march are requested in their Class A Uniform. For further information, please contact Lt. Gerard Walsh, BN 51, at 347-525-4108 or FF Daniel Casey, E316, at 917-484-2291. KNICKS 9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB & FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT This year’s New York Knicks 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb Presented by Chase will be held on Sunday, April 7, at Madison Square Garden. The Stair Climb is a way to honor and remember the FDNY members who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live on 9-11-2001. To donate or to register, visit events.firehero.org/2019NYKnicks. Cost to climb is $50 and includes a t-shirt, 343 honor badge and entrance for up to 3 guests. Additionally, MSG, the Garden of Dreams and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation have asked us to provide volunteers to assist with the Stair Climb. If interested, please email RecordingSecretary@ufanyc.org. After the Stair Climb, the Knicks will be hosting First Responders Night vs. Washington Wizards at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased through the link https://www.fevo.com/edp/2019-Knicks-First-Responder-Night-fs4zCk9?referrer_hash=6mnnQqmd. A portion of each ticket purchased through this link will be donated to the UFA Widows and Children’s Fund. GARDEN OF DREAMS TALENT SHOW On Tuesday, April 9, at 7:00 PM, 150 children will take the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall for the Annual Garden of Dreams Talent Show. The inspiring and entertaining evening will include individual and group performances by Garden of Dreams children. The Garden of Dreams Foundation invites you, your family and friends to this event to fill the house with as many guests as possible to help provide an amazing experience for a very talented group of children and to show New York City the power of Garden of Dreams. Admission is free; however, tickets are required for entry. RSVP to afatone@ufanyc.org no later than Thursday, March
MCLEAN AVENUE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE This Saturday, March 23rd, led by the FDNY Emerald Society Pipe Band, the FDNY Emerald Society will march in the Yonkers/McLean Avenue St. Patrick’s Parade. In order to give members the opportunity to attend Mike Davidson’s Plaque Dedication and still make the parade, they will be stepping off from Vireo Avenue and East 239 St at approximately 1:45 PM. All members are requested to attend in Class A uniforms. Bring your kids to this family friendly parade. For more info, or questions, call Frank Beirne at (917) 842-0578.
MEET STEVE BUSCEMI AT FRIENDS OF FIREFIGHTERS Steve Buscemi and Friends of Firefighters invite you to an exclusive cocktail event and live screening of the final episode of Season 1 of Steve’s new TBS comedy series Miracle Workers. On Tuesday, March 26th, from 8-11 PM, at 199 Van Brunt Street in Brooklyn, talk life, talk characters, talk film and TV with the actor, comedian, director, and former FF while enjoying drinks and assorted appetizers prepared by MasterChef finalist and Ladder 4 FF Chef Eric Howard and team. Before the show airs at 10:30, sit down for a fascinating Q&A, moderated by actor and director Anatol Yusef, who starred alongside Steve in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Ticket price is $350 per person, or $600 for two. Click this link (https://bit.ly/2FpWlYj) to purchase tickets. All proceeds support Friends of Firefighters’ mission to provide free mental health counseling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their families. For more info, email Marlo at info@friendsoffirefighters.org.
FDNY COUNSELING SERVICE UNIT The Counseling Service Unit of the FDNY, with the support of Captain Kananowicz (aka K9) from Engine 53 (retired), is running a monthly support group for members who have children or family members with special needs. This includes parents with dementia. Come together with other members who share similar challenges and exchange ideas and get support. The next group will be held on Wednesday, March 27, from 11AM-12:30PM at Fort Totten Building 405 (CFRD) Room 200. To RSVP, contact Captain Eugene Kananowicz (aka K9) at 516-238-1024 or ek953@icloud.com or Mike O’Keeffe at 917-853-5772 or michaelokeeffe55@gmail.com.
FIREHOUSE KITCHEN TALK WITH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS LIAISON ANDY PERLMAN NYC Emergency Management helps New Yorkers before, during, and after emergencies through preparedness, education, and response. Join Friends of Firefighters on Wednesday, March 27, from 6-9 PM at 199 Van Brunt Street in Brooklyn, for a firefighter-prepared dinner followed by a presentation from NYCEM Operations Liaison Andy Perlman on NYCEM’s role in planning, tools to aid in response, and how NYCEM works with FDNY & other emergency services. Open to active and retired FDNY members. No RSVP necessary. For more info, email Marlo at info@friendsoffirefighters.org.
