Posted by Jim on March 22, 2016
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has announced that the party has nominated Ciaran Staunton as an independent candidate in the Seanad elections “as a voice for the diaspora”.
The Sinn Féin leader said:
“Ciaran Staunton is a Mayo man who has lived in the United States since the 1980’s. He has been a long-time leader on immigration issues. In 1990, he was involved in the campaign which saw the introduction of the Morrison Visa programme that opened the door to thousands of Irish citizens being able to legally enter the USA.
“In 2005, Ciaran co-founded the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. The ILIR is the leading Irish American organisation campaigning for immigration reform and the resolution of the status of the 50,000 undocumented Irish immigrants living in the USA.
“Ciaran has met the most senior political leaders in the USA as part of this work. He has lobbied the White House, the Congress and Senate. He has also been a frequent visitor to the Dáil where he has briefed the Irish government and Oireachtas members.”
Gerry Adams added:
“Ciaran Staunton has been a vocal and effective champion for Irish immigrants for almost 30 years. There are approximately 70million citizens across the globe who claim Irish roots. In the last ten years, almost half a million more have left these shores for all parts of the globe. Every townland and parish the length and breadth of Ireland has a son or daughter in the diaspora.
“Sinn Féin believes that much more must be done to develop and strengthen our relationship with the diaspora. This objective can be enhanced with a strong dedicated voice in the Oireachtas; someone who will fight for the rights of the undocumented in the USA; for votes for Irish citizens living abroad; for improved connectedness between the island of Ireland and our diaspora; and for a united Ireland. I believe that Ciaran Staunton has the experience and commitment to be that voice.”
Gerry Adams concluded:
“In April 2012, Ciaran and Orlaith’s 12-year-old son Rory tragically died as a result of Sepsis. The family established the Rory Staunton Foundation to raise awareness and improve diagnosis around this issue.
“In 2013, ‘Rory’s Regulations’ were adopted in New York State. These regulations require all hospitals to adopt best practices for the early identification and treatment of sepsis. This month, the Staunton’s secured an important victory when the House and Senate Appropriations Committees supported the allocation of funding in the US budget of awareness programmes.”
Posted by Jim on March 20, 2016
Several homes in Belfast were violently raided last weekend amid an
increased PSNI presence, with heavily armed units deployed in the west
and north of the city.
In the New Lodge and Ardoyne areas, a number of raids were carried out
on the homes of republicans by members of the PSNI’s balaclava-wearing
TSG (Tactical Support Group).
Two local men were taken from a car in Ardoyne by armed police and
forced to the ground at gunpoint while their vehicle was searched. The
PSNI’s helicopter hovered over the area for much of the weekend.
Another man said the PSNI “went nuts” went they found his car boot
contained prisoner campaign leaflets and commemorative Easter lilies for
the republican parade in Coalisland, County Tyrone on Easter Sunday.
“The PSNI guys totally lost it they went pure nuts, full of hatred,
pushed me against the car,” he said. “Refused to allow any call to
solicitor and refused to provide any details of the search but the
locals saw it and recorded it.”
In what was described as a direct attack on the nationalist community of
the Lower Falls, the PSNI raided the offices of the Divis Residents’
Support Team and three homes in the area on Saturday night. They
arrested one community activist and were said to have traumatised
infants and the elderly. Residents and activists held a protest on
Sunday evening.
Eirigi activists who created a new Easter Rising mural at Lenadoon
Avenue in west Belfast last week also reported that they were subjected
to repeated harassment from heavily armed members of the PSNI.
DERRY RAID
Meanwhile, in Derry, a widow said she was left traumatised by a PSNI
raid on her Bogside home Up to eight armed PSNI men turned her Cable
Street home upside down. Mrs Gallagher, who has a number of health
issues, is the widow of well-known Derry republican, Jim Gallagher, who
died six years ago.
She said she was ‘at a loss’ as to why the search was carried out at her
home where she has lived for the past 30 years. She said: “The last time
we were raided was well over ten years ago. There was no reason for this
to happen. It was very intimidating and I felt very uncomfortable given
the fact I was alone with eight armed male police officers.
“Neighbours who tried to get into the house were denied entry. My phone
was taken off me so I could not phone anyone. My daughter, who arrived
about an hour after the raid began, was eventually allowed it.
“They searched everywhere – drawers, cupboards, gardens – it was
terrifying. I don’t understand why this has happened. I want to know
why.”
Gary Donnelly, independent councillor on Derry City and Strabane
District Council, condemned the raid.
“For her to be alone with heavily armed police officers was vindictive
and nasty. She has been through a terrible ordeal.”
“This type of policing is not unusual in this community. Local
politicians, who are quick to condemn actions of republicans, should
stand up and speak up for vulnerable people, such as Mrs Gallagher, who
continue to suffer from political policing.”
Posted by Jim on March 19, 2016
Several homes in Belfast were violently raided last weekend amid an
increased PSNI presence, with heavily armed units deployed in the west
and north of the city.
In the New Lodge and Ardoyne areas, a number of raids were carried out
on the homes of republicans by members of the PSNI’s balaclava-wearing
TSG (Tactical Support Group).
Two local men were taken from a car in Ardoyne by armed police and
forced to the ground at gunpoint while their vehicle was searched. The
PSNI’s helicopter hovered over the area for much of the weekend.
Another man said the PSNI “went nuts” went they found his car boot
contained prisoner campaign leaflets and commemorative Easter lilies for
the republican parade in Coalisland, County Tyrone on Easter Sunday.
“The PSNI guys totally lost it they went pure nuts, full of hatred,
pushed me against the car,” he said. “Refused to allow any call to
solicitor and refused to provide any details of the search but the
locals saw it and recorded it.”
In what was described as a direct attack on the nationalist community of
the Lower Falls, the PSNI raided the offices of the Divis Residents’
Support Team and three homes in the area on Saturday night. They
arrested one community activist and were said to have traumatised
infants and the elderly. Residents and activists held a protest on
Sunday evening.
Eirigi activists who created a new Easter Rising mural at Lenadoon
Avenue in west Belfast last week also reported that they were subjected
to repeated harassment from heavily armed members of the PSNI.
DERRY RAID
Meanwhile, in Derry, a widow said she was left traumatised by a PSNI
raid on her Bogside home Up to eight armed PSNI men turned her Cable
Street home upside down. Mrs Gallagher, who has a number of health
issues, is the widow of well-known Derry republican, Jim Gallagher, who
died six years ago.
She said she was ‘at a loss’ as to why the search was carried out at her
home where she has lived for the past 30 years. She said: “The last time
we were raided was well over ten years ago. There was no reason for this
to happen. It was very intimidating and I felt very uncomfortable given
the fact I was alone with eight armed male police officers.
“Neighbours who tried to get into the house were denied entry. My phone
was taken off me so I could not phone anyone. My daughter, who arrived
about an hour after the raid began, was eventually allowed it.
“They searched everywhere – drawers, cupboards, gardens – it was
terrifying. I don’t understand why this has happened. I want to know
why.”
Gary Donnelly, independent councillor on Derry City and Strabane
District Council, condemned the raid.
“For her to be alone with heavily armed police officers was vindictive
and nasty. She has been through a terrible ordeal.”
“This type of policing is not unusual in this community. Local
politicians, who are quick to condemn actions of republicans, should
stand up and speak up for vulnerable people, such as Mrs Gallagher, who
continue to suffer from political policing.”
Posted by Jim on
OK TO BURN CATHOLICSâ AND TO GET FUNDING FOR IT.
IMAGINE IF WHITE RACISTS WERE LYNCHING PRESIDENT OBAMA IN EFFIGY⦠IMAGINE THE
LEGITIMATE OUTCRY.
NOW IMAGINE IF A LOCAL TOWN WERE ACTUALLY FUNDING THE EFFIGY LYNCHING.
WELL, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY IN NORTHERN IRLEAND.
OVER THERE, â BURNING CATHOLICS IN EFFIGYâ IS THE ORANGE EQUIVALENT TO LYNCHING BLACKMEN IN EFFIGY IN THE UNITED STATESâEXACTLY THE SAME.
EXTREME ORANGEMEN EVERY YEAR BURN GERRY ADAMS IN EFFIGY AT THEIR BONFIRESâ AND LOCAL TOWN GOVERNMENTS FUND THE OBSCENITYâ AS THIS ARTICLE FROM THE IRISH NEWS IN BELFAST REPORTS.
Nationalist bid to overturn vote on bonfire and Rising funding rejected
Brendan Hughes, Irish News (Belfast). Saturday, March 19, 2016
CONTORVERSY: An effigy of Sinn Feinâs Gerry Adams hangs from a bonfire at Ballycraigy in Antrim
A NATIONALIST bid to overturn controversial funding decisions on bonfires and the Easter Rising has been
rejected by a Co Antrim council following legal advice.
Councillors had requested a âcall-inâ of Antrim and Newtownabbey councilâs decision to continue to provide funding when loyalist bonfires use racist or sectarian displays.
They also challenged £50,000 of funding being set aside for the Somme centenary this year but none for the Easter Rising.
The âcall-inâ procedure allows a contentious decision to be reconsidered if 15 per cent of councillors believe it was not properly reached or would adversely affect a section of the community.
Legal opinion was sought by the council as part of the procedure, but yesterday it said the legal advice has determined that the call-ins âdo not have meritâ.
âThe legal opinion provided to the council is legally privileged and confidential and therefore will not be disclosed,â a spokeswoman said.
Sinn FeÌin councillor Anne Marie Logue urged the council to publish the legal advice received.
âThe call-in decision will not stop us highlighting and challenging the blatant inequality for nationalist ratepayers in Antrim and Newtownabbey council,â she said.
âLegal advice which is in the interest of the public and paid for by the ratepayers should be made public.â
The dispute comes after the council had voted on a new policy to give funding to groups organising Eleventh Night bonfires to hold related family events.
The unionist-majority council backed funding sanctions over environmental issues such as the burning of tyres.
But a proposal to withhold money for offensive displays such as burning flags and effigies failed to gain enough support.
Separately, the council also failed to reach an agreement on allocating any funds for Easter Rising commemorations.
The council has earmarked £50,000 for events to mark the Battle of the Somme centenary.
A nationalist proposal to give £40,000 towards Rising events was defeated, while the DUPâs suggestion of zero funding was also dismissed.
A councillor working groupâs proposal for £10,000 was also knocked back after being rejected by DUP and Sinn FeÌiÌn councillors.
Posted by Jim on March 18, 2016
The National Irish Freedom Committee (NIFC) will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising on Sunday April 24, 2016, commencing at the grave of Irish War of Independence veteran Joe Stynes in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY at 10.00 am.
The commemoration will continue at Rory Dolan’s restaurant McClean Ave., Yonkers, New York at 12.00 noon.
The focus of the commemoration will be on a solemn ceremony of each individual in attendance “reading of the names” of the fallen heroes of 1916 Rising depicted on the recently completed 1916–Easter Rising Centennial Banner -2016 .
The “reading of the names” ceremony will be recorded and simultaneously projected onto an in-house projection screen and posted on social media outlets for viewing by a world wide audience, especially by the Irish Diaspora.
Tickets are $40.00 per person that includes an Irish lunch and early Irish tea /coffee— no charge for children under 14.
For tickets, call 732 771 6897. Tickets may also be purchased online at;www.irishfreedom.net ;
For additional information email: 1916easterbanner@gmail.com
For updated information visit:facebook: www.facebook.com/banner1916