Friends of Sinn Féin hosted a series of three Irish Unity People’s Assemblies for the Diaspora in the Northeast of the United States in late October. These were the ninth, tenth, and eleventh Irish Unity People’s Assemblies organized across the US over the last year, which drew more than 1,100 people in attendance from coast to coast. Previous events featured Sinn Féin speakers Pat Cullen MP, John Finucane MP, and Dara Hughes MP, with stops in Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH, Pearl River, NY, Washington, DC, Cincinnati, OH, Nashville, TN, Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA.
This run of events included stops in Hartford, CT, Boston, MA, and Philadelphia, PA. Special guest Mairéad Farrell, TD for Galway addressed hundreds of supporters and activists from all over the region.
Late autumn in New England can feel like a movie set. Vibrant foliage, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards abound as Mairéd made her way from city to city accompanied by Sinn Féin’s Representative to North America Ciarán Quinn and Friends of Sinn Féin’s Executive Director Greg O’Loughlin. The setting was bested only by the energy and engagement at every stop where the crowds that gathered jumped right into the work of planning and preparing for a new and united Ireland.
In Hartford, more than 150 activists gathered at the Irish American Home Society to hear from Ms. Farrell and to work in small groups at their tables in order to make plans and organize action. A rare weekend afternoon event made it possible for families to participate, and featured pipers, a local Irish dance school, and a reception after the work to help solidify the connections made.
The fireside chat portion of the event was hosted by Tricia Mcivor, who led Miaréad through a series of questions that had been suggested by registrants. It was a highlight of the series, and it provided the audience with an opportunity to learn more about the role of activists in the work.
Later in the week, more than 100 people convened at the home of the Boston Firefighter’s Local 718, Florian Hall. Boston’s host for the fireside chat portion was none other than long-time activist and Irish Republican Kathleen Savage. Kathleen and Mairéad not only answered the many questions suggested by the attendees, but also worked their way through a myriad of topics and events that provided a special review of Boston’s long history of support.
Activists young and old jumped at the chance to discuss the actors and the work involved in creating a new and united Ireland and to make plans for next steps.
More than 100 people came out to Philadelphia’s Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Irish Center in spite of pouring rain and flood warnings. The room filled quickly and the warmth of the greetings and of the gathering quickly vanquished the cold, raw evening.
The fireside chat in Philadelphia was hosted by Terry Welsh, Pennsylvania’s Chair of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Freedom for All Ireland Committee and it was a great conversation. Afterwards, attendees were eager to engage with the small group work and discussion questions. Philadelphia has been a center of Irish Republican activism in the United States for decades and the crowd was ready, willing, and able to dive into the deep end of organizing and next steps.
All of these events were made possible by the work of volunteer activists and supporters. The progress made and the work to be done on the horizon is clearer than ever and that is thanks to the dozens of volunteers, hosts, donors, and activists.
Plans for events next year are already underway. In the meantime, it is clearer than ever that Irish America is ready to work for a new and United Ireland and to be part of the generation that makes it happen!
