Last week, hundreds of people registered and attended a series of events featuring John Finucane, MP in Washington, DC, New York City, and Rockland County, New York.
The Belfast North MP was in the United States to deliver keynote addresses at the latest in the Irish Unity People’s Assemblies: Diaspora series. While in New York, he also addressed the New York City Bar association, delivering an update on the latest in the public inquiry into his father’s murder to a sold-out room full of lawyers, judges, and supporters from all over the New York Area.
These were the 3rd and 4th People’s Assembly events hosted in the United States, and after successful events in Cleveland and Columbus Ohio, the events in Washington, DC, and New York again demonstrated that the Irish Diaspora are eager to discuss all of the actors and factors of Irish Unity.
In Washington, we were hosted by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), longtime supporters of the work and goal of Irish Unity. In New York, our event was hosted by the Rockland GAA, the largest GAA club located outside of Ireland.
John Finucane addressed both groups of activists with an update about the current political situation around unity. The recent general election in Ireland resulted in little change in the coalition of parties that make up the government and their commitment to unity has weakened. His address helped bring the work to be done by activists into sharper focus.
A key part of a successful event is the dedication and work of volunteers who help not only with key logistics, but also outreach and discussion leaders. Activists in the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians stepped up and stepped into so many key roles at both events. In New York, Dolores Desch served as host for the Fireside Chat portion of the program, and in Washington, DC, Kathi Twohig Hamelin led the interview with John Finucane.
The second half of the event includes small group discussion, work plans, and a stronger sense of what’s next for everyone in attendance. These conversations were ably facilitated by thoughtful volunteers who ensured that everyone’s voices could be heard and ideas shared.
The events concluded with remarks from Sinn Féin Representative to North America, Ciarán Quinn. He told everyone in attendance about the unique opportunity present in this moment to change history. Our commitments and our activism can be the determining factor in the work of uniting Ireland, and we all have a role to play.
