Blogs

British Government legacy amendments no more than a ‘Veterans Charter’ for British state forces

“There must be no hierarchy of victims. Every family deserves equal access to truth and justice, regardless of who killed their loved one. Political pressure from the British military or intelligence services must not stand in the way.

“These amendments risk preferential treatment, providing additional protections for former members of the British military while placing further obstacles in the path of effective investigations.

British Government legacy amendments no more than a ‘Veterans Charter’ for British state forces Read More »

Garvaghy Road

There are those who hope to drag us back to the days of Unionist superiority, of conflict and sectarianism. This weekend shows we are not going back to 1998; we are moving forward.

The British Secretary of State can ban this parade and end the threat against this community. The question he has to answer is: does he want to compound a bad decision by the Parades Commission, force a march through and keep the issue returning year after year or end it now by making clear that the Orange Order should take the alternative route and let the community of the Garvaghy Road live in peace?

Until the Secretary of State acts, we will continue to stand resolute and determined in defence of a small community, peace and progress.

Garvaghy Road Read More »

The World Supports Garvaghy Rd Residents

Organizations, elected leaders, politicians, and community groups from around the word. Below is a compilation of statements of support and calls for intervention to prevent the Orange Order from marching down Garvaghy Road.

You can read the letters from:

The Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus
The Irish American Unity Conference
The Brehon Law Society of New York
The Ad Hoc Committee to Protect the Good Friday Agreement
European Lawmakers from MEPs, from multiple groups across Ireland, Spain, Belgium, France, Sweden, Germany, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia and Italy
The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians

The World Supports Garvaghy Rd Residents Read More »

Irish Americans Want a United Ireland

Irish America is clear that it wants to move beyond words and the aspiration to Unity into action planning and preparation. I hope the President’s words will lead to renewed US focus on fully implementing our Agreements. 

A policy which will realize the right to self-determination as agreed in the Good Friday Agreement, to support preparations for orderly, respectful and informed unity referendums and to ensure the British Government abides by its obligations to be “rigorously impartial.”

Irish Americans Want a United Ireland Read More »

US Congressional Friends of Ireland call on Chris Bryant to “cancel Orange Order parade”

On Thursday, a bipartisan group of United States Congresspeople sent a letter to the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Bryant, warning him that, “Without decisive action, we risk reopening one
of the most painful chapters of Northern Ireland’s history and undermining nearly three decades of peace,
stability, and reconciliation made possible by the Good Friday Agreement.”

US Congressional Friends of Ireland call on Chris Bryant to “cancel Orange Order parade” Read More »

28 Years Ago Today: Legal Representative for Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition Rosemary Nelson Testified Before U.S. Congress

Rosemary Nelson said, “This behavior on the part of RUC officers has worsened over the past 3 years and, most particularly, since I began to represent the residents of the Garvaghy Road area in Portadown.

“These people objected to an Orange Order march passing through their area from the Drumcree Church. Last year I was present on the Garvaghy Road when the parade was forced through. I had been present on the road for a number of days because I had instructions from my clients to apply for emergency judicial review of any decision allowing the parade to pass through this area.

28 Years Ago Today: Legal Representative for Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition Rosemary Nelson Testified Before U.S. Congress Read More »

Turning Words into Action

In the early days of the peace process, US agencies hosted economic discussions on the investment potential of peace. They could do the same to examine the economic potential of a united Ireland.

All of these initiatives and others are possible and needed. Yet again, Irish Americans can deliver. Your voice has been heard on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and across State Assemblies.

We are now in the final quarter, and the ball is in your court. Let’s get Unity over the line. This weeks newsletter offers many opportunities to stay engaged, get informed, and get active. Together we can build a new and united Ireland.

Turning Words into Action Read More »

Sinn Féin stands in solidarity with the residents of the Garvaghy Road

“We have spoken to the Chief Constable and made plain the serious implications of this decision for communities across the north.

“We have spoken with the British Secretary of State and with the Taoiseach and Tanáiste. The Irish government must stand in support of the Garvaghy residents and their obligation under the Good Friday Agreement to ensure this community can live free from sectarian harassment.

“There is a court process this evening. But of course the British Secretary of State has the power to revoke this determination. That is what he must do if necessary.”

Sinn Féin stands in solidarity with the residents of the Garvaghy Road Read More »

Michelle O’Neill responds to the decision to force Orange march through Garvaghy Road

“There is no reasonable or logical basis for the Parades Commission’s announcement that permission has been granted to force an unwanted Orange march through the Garvaghy Road community this Sunday.

“For 28 years, the Garvaghy Road community has lived in peace, and the people of that community have been able to get on with their lives.

Michelle O’Neill responds to the decision to force Orange march through Garvaghy Road Read More »