Hamilton admits UVF behind shared-space intimidation

Posted by Jim on October 7, 2017

The PSNI has been forced to admit unionist paramilitaries were behind
threats which caused four Catholic families to flee their south Belfast
homes.

After coming under pressure over the force’s non-committal response to
the intimidation, PSNI chief George Hamilton finally pointed the finger
at the UVF murder gang this week.

“There are people using the guise of the UVF who we believe are members
of that organisation who are threatening people because of their
community background, because of their religion, to leave their home –
that is not acceptable,” he said.

Although Mr Hamilton said was not sure if the threats were supported by
the leadership of the UVF, which he described as “chaotic and
disorganised”, or if they were made by individual members, when
challenged outright if it was the UVF, he finally replied: “Yes.”

Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly, the party’s policing spokesman, vowed to
pressure the PSNI to bring individuals before the courts.

“It is 2017 and the UVF continues to be involved in murder,
racketeering, extortion, drug dealing and issuing sectarian threats,” he
said. “They have no other purpose than to serve their own ends.”

While sectarian intimidation remains common in the north of Ireland —
five Catholic families were recently burned out of the mainly Protestant
Waterside area of Derry — the Cantrell Close and Global Crescent
estates had been promoted as a cross-community ‘shared space’.

Despite efforts to hold up the development as an example for shared
living, loyalist paramilitaries had always sought to claim them as part
of their territory.

The attribution of blame by the PSNI comes after mounting pressure on
the force to confront unionist paramilitaries.

Their hands-off approach has been sharp contrasted by their harassment
of republicans, which has led to protests in nationalist areas. This
week, four men and a woman appeared in court charged with holding an
“unnotified procession” in connection with an Easter Rising
commemoration in Lurgan.

There is also little nationalist confidence in a new panel which began
work this week to monitor efforts to “stamp out” loyalist paramilitaries
and IRA groups. Set up as a result of a 2015 talks agreement, the
‘Independent Reporting Commission’ will report annually on progress to
the London and Dublin governments and will take over the role of the
former MI5-linked ‘Independent Monitoring Commission’.

The four IRC members are former US special envoy to the North of Ireland
Mitchell Reiss, ex-human rights commissioner and political leader Monica
McWilliams, lawyer John McBurney and former Irish diplomat Tim O’Connor.

Mr Reiss said he was grateful for the opportunity to again play a role
in the North of Ireland. “I hope the commission’s initiatives will help
to bring about the continued transformation envisioned by the British
and Irish governments, the local political parties and the citizens of
the North of Ireland,” he said.

“Northern Ireland is British” – so mind what you say

Posted by Jim on

by Jude Collins (judecollins.com)

Oh dear. Was that another crocodile moment? As you probably know by now,
the potential First Minister Arlene Foster clashed with the potential
Deputy First Minister at the Tory party knees-up. Michelle was asked if
an Irish Language Act would make the north less British, to which she
replied “The north isn’t British”. Arlene, alert to insult even at
breakfast time, quickly told her “I don’t want this to turn into a row,
but Northern Ireland is British.” They can’t both be right. Which is?

It all depends on what you mean by saying our North-East Nest is
British. Arlene is right that this part of Ireland, while it has
devolved government, is ultimately controlled by Britain. So if you’re
saying “Who wields power in the NEN?” then the answer is Britain. No
ifs or buts. They haven’t gone away, you know.

But if you’re talking about the people here (remember how John Hume used
to say that the border was about people, not territory?) then while by a
small percentage the majority here regard themselves as British, a very
large (and growing) minority do not see themselves as British. Never
have, never will. Maybe if we apply the criterion offered by poor
deluded Maggie Thatcher and ask “Is the north as British as Finchley?”
the thing becomes clearer. Of course we’re not.

There are a number of interesting things about the exchange between the
two women. As UUP leader Robin Swann noted, Michelle’s comment “sucked
the atmosphere out of the room” – that short exchange is what the
question-and-answer session was reduced to. And as Swann also pointed
out, Michelle’s comment may have been deliberate. It could well have
been dangled to see if the DUP leader had shuffled away from her famous
and revealing crocodile comment. If that was the case, Arlene certainly
took the bait.

But the little introductory clause used by Arlene – “I don’t want this
to turn into a row” – is perhaps even more significant. She clearly felt
that Michelle shouldn’t have said our NEN wasn’t British, and if she did
there could be a row. Say you don’t consider this part of Ireland
British and you’re likely to provoke anger or at least heated dispute
from unionist politicians.

That’s the part that jars with me. No one is asking Arlene or any
unionist politician to deny that our NEN is British. Certainly Michelle
wasn’t. What is important is that nationalists and republicans should
have the right to express their views on the nature of the north. But
if a row is possibly going to break out any time a
republican/nationalist expresses the view that our NEN is really part of
Ireland, not Britain, we’re back just about where we started. Behind
Arlene’s correction lies an implication: taigs may be tolerated about
the place these days but they better mind what they say to those who run
the colony.

NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL DAY

Posted by Jim on October 6, 2017

Sunday, October 8th is National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.

On this day, it is appropriate to fly your American flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

This year at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, 95 fallen firefighters will be honored.

How to properly fly your flag at half-staff.

When raising the flag to half-staff on a vertical pole, always raise it briskly to the top of the flagpole for a moment before lowering it.

When taking it down for the night, raise it to the top of the flagpole again & lower it to the bottom.

With a telescoping flag pole it is acceptable to put the USA flag on the second set of rings instead of the top set. In this case the top set would be left empty.

When the United States flag is flown at half-staff, State & other flags should be removed of flown at half-staff too.

What if you can’t lower your flag?
For flags that can’t be lowered, such as those on many homes, the American Legion says that attaching a black ribbon or streamer to the top of the flag is an acceptable alternative. The ribbon should be the same width as a stripe on the flag and the same length as the flag.

An Official Communication from the UFA

Posted by Jim on October 5, 2017

NEW YORK STATE FREEDOM for ALL IRELAND BULLETIN   

Posted by Jim on

NEW YORK STATE FREEDOM for ALL IRELAND BULLETIN   

September 2017

A chairde:

             FFAI ISSUES UPDATE

A-Catholic Families Forced to Flee Belfast Homes-Four Catholic families were forced to flee their homes after being told by the constabulary they were under death threat from loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force paramilitaries. The families were driven out of the Cantrell Close area in Belfast, a new Housing Executive project aimed at cross-community housing. The IRISH NEWS noted that “if similar threats happened anywhere else in Ireland or Britain or the western world, it would likely make international headlines.” UVF flags had already been draped around this estate since June to mark the area as UVF territory.

B-English Protests over British Trooper Prosecutions- Supporters of Dennis Hutchings, a former British trooper charged with shooting dead John Pat Cunningham in Benburb, marched in London protesting prosecutions of any former British troopers for Troubles murders. The victim, then 27 with learning difficulties and a fear of troopers, was shot in the back while running away. Because of new inquests, and investigations, a few rubberstamped killings by British crown forces are now being seriously investigated for the first time. Troopers fear facing charges. During the protest, speakers expressed outrage that Hutchings  at age 75 could be prosecuted for a 1974 killing. The angry protest took place one day after the crown announced it would proceed with charges against Belfast Republican Ivor Bell,80, for a 1972 incident despite Mr. Bell’s severe medical issues.   

C- DUP Demands Funds Cutoff for Relatives For Justice

Democratic Unionist Party MP Emma Little-Pengelly demanded that the victims’ group have its funding ended because RFJ representatives had attended an anniversary Mass for three Tyrone IRA Volunteers, killed by the SAS twenty-nine years ago. She pointed to an RFJ message that it was “privileged” to be at the Mass for Brian and Gerard Mullin and Martin Harte.RFJ said it would “support all victims and survivors without fear or favor.” Little-Pengelly is the daughter of Noel Little, a member of Ulster Resistance which helped to bring in South African arms for loyalist paramilitaries.

D-Orange Order Insulted by Reconciliation Efforts–

Rev Mervyn Gibson, the Grand Secretary of the Orange Order branded efforts to persuade Unionists that they would be better off in a united Ireland as “insulting.” Rev. Gibson told the IRISH NEWS, that he “finds it insulting when people even try and convince me of a unionist place in a united Ireland”. He said claims of financial betterment were a “bribe” or “attempt to buy unionists”. Gibson also said that the Conservative Party-DUP deal might mean restoring Orange Order Parades in Drumcree and other nationalist areas where they had been blocked.   

     NEW YORK FFAI MARK THOMPSON RFJ TOUR DATES SET

 Mark Thompson of Relatives for Justice will be speaking at five New York AOH FFAI events in January, arriving on January 9th,returning to Belfast January 15th.

Wednesday January 10th-Suffolk County co-sponsored by Nassau

Thursday January 11th-in Manhattan co-sponsored by NY City counties

Friday January 12th-Rockland

Saturday January 13th-Albany

Sunday January 14th-Peekskill

  Mark is a great speaker who has given truth, hope and a small measure of justice to many families whose loved ones were murdered by the British directly or by their loyalist agents. If we can make this tour a success he is willing to return because he understands the importance of American and AOH pressure on the British!

                SPECIAL ENVOY WIN

Last month we noted that the AOH joined Congressman Crowley and other groups in demanding that a new Special Envoy be appointed for the north. The announced decision not to appoint one has been reversed with AOH support.

Hope to see some of you at the “Spirit of 1916 Awards” Bronx Fundraiser Sunday October 22nd at the Rambling House, Katonah Avenue in Woodlawn 3pm-7pm.In addition to honoring our National Secretary Jere Cole, Past NY County President Thomas Beirne, and

Hugh McMorrow, we are honoring MacBride Principles champion, Pat Doherty. (914-589-7105)

    Please contact me at MGALVINESQ@AOL.COM.

                                                    Slan

                                                Martin Galvin