Join the Freedom March for Joe Doherty October 14,15,16
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JOIN THE FREEDOM MARCH FOR JOE DOHERTY OCTOBER 14,15,16 SEPTEMBER 28. 1991 VOL.18 NO. 38 SEE PAGE 7 "KILLING FIELDS" OF N.IRELAND By William Hughes, Washington, DC. Manton reminded the panel of the previous testimony of Rep. Ben Oilman (R-NY), a long time champion of "The killing fields of northern Ireland are filled with the Eleanor McKerr, the widow of Gervase McKerr, who was Ireland's cause; Rep. Elliot L. Engel (D-NY), a vocal Joe ghosts of Irish Catholic men and women who were felled by murdered in 1982. Mrs. McKerr told the Caucus how her Doherty partisan; Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass) and Rep. British bullets," said Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-Mass) at husband and two other nationalists, were killed when his car William J. Coyne (D-Pa), all raised genuine concerns over the opening of the Human Rights Caucus hearing on was riddled witn more than 100 bullets by the RUC. When the crown forces' abuses of the Catholic minorities. Neal September 17, 1991, in the Rayburn Building. Before an the RUC members were brought to trial, the presiding judge wondered aloud "why American liberals turn their heads overflow audience, Kennedy demanded justice for the "more praised their action in bringing the three unarmed Irishmen blindly away from this issue?" than 300 people" that have falllen victim at the hands of the to "the final court of justice." Activists from every major Irish American organization British forces in the British-occupied Six Counties over the were represented at the hearing. Joe Roche, ex-AOH chief, last 20 years. "Many of these people were unarmed, many suggested placing conditions on future US aid to the were Catholics, and had no history or violence or terrorism "The killing fields International Fund for Ireland to force the British to make "a in their background to suggest any legitimate reason for more meaningful response." ENA's Mike Cummings insisted, their brutal deaths. We cannot remain silent in the face of the "America's love affair with Britain has become a fatal inexcusable wrongs committed every day in Britain's name," of northern Ireland attraction. If peace is to come to Ireland, the US must end its Kennedy asserted. dreamy notion that Britain is anything but an outlaw in The caucus, chaired by Rep. Tom Manton (D-NY), heard are filled with the Ireland, despising both freedom and democracy." The over four hours of damning testimony concerning allegations American Protestants for Truth About Ireland's Rachel of human rights abuses in the Six Counties, including Hoffman urged that "the news media do some investigative collusion between the RUC and paramilitary groups and ghosts of Irish reporting into these areas, rather than printing year-old persistent reports of a shoot-to-kill policy sanctioned at very stories of how wonderful reconciliation groups are." high levels in the British government. Catholic men and Bob Linnon of the IAUC stated, "The bottom line is that John Stalker, the former Deputy Chief Constable of the partition of the country by Britain is the root cause of the Manchester, gave his personal account of his investigation women who were unrest. All else is effect" He wants Congress to take action of the murders of six unarmed nationalists in 1982 by crown leading "to an equitable resolution of the 800 year-old forces. Two family members shared the tragic story of the conflict" John Finucane, bead of the Irish American PEC, death of young Fergal Caraher, who was killed in Culfyhanna felled by labeled it "a step in the right direction that opens up the on Dec. 30, 1990, in yet another shoot-to-kill incident issues to a more influential audience." Halya Gowan, author of the Amnesty International (Al) British bullets." The British arrogandy declined to present any testimony report, detailed bow British law governing the use of lethal Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy before the Caucus in defense of their sboot-to-kill policy in force by crown forces is "inadequate to prevent and deter the Six Counties. They did, however, submit a paper outlining unlawful killings." Even County District Attorney Kevin their dubious legal position "on the use of lethal force." M. Burke, who investigated the Caraher shooting and also Gerry Coleman of INA rebutted the British instrument by the use of lethal force, agreed with Gowan. He condemned The Congress, Manton insisted, cannot allow the evidence of the "tacit approval" of such a serious crime to pass, making available a 12-page fact sheet documenting the the loose standards as sanctioning "virtually any killing by activities of British "death squads in Ireland." The INA British officers." particularly in light of reports by both Al and the -iternanonal Helsinki Federation for Human Rights. The behavior of the package included an excellent article by Jackie Templeton on the British war machine. Over the last two decades, only one British soldier has RUC continues "to raise serious concerns about the existence ever been convicted of murdering an unarmed civilian. He of a sboot-to-kill policy. We must exert pressure on the Margaret Caraher, the courageous widow of Fergal, said served just two years and three months in prison and was United Kingdom to bring those responsible for the shoot-to- that learning of his death was like "waking up to a nightmare." allowed to re-enlist in the Briush Army. One of the major kill murders to justice." Rep. Hamilton Fish, Jr., (R-NY) She raised probably the most profound question of all in her themes from the bearing was the callous indifference the echoed Manton \s remarks in his written statement by hoping dramatic, moving testimony. "Who gave these British British government has demonstrated to the murderous t»iat the hearing wdl be a "force for change in the human soldiers the right to play God?" she asked the American outrages of the crown forces. rights situation." lawmakers. THE VOICE OF IRISH REPUBLICANISM IN AMERICA SKPTKMBI.R28, 1991 THE VOICE OF IRISH REPUBLICANISM IN AMERICA You CAN KiumRtvowiomti BW* NOT TH££&VOLUTtON... o i _ A,*o WHAT ooes ? CoHfS AROUMO/ Editorial OBITUARIES October 16,1991 The Editor and Staff of the Irish PeopXz extend their deepest sympathy to Joe Doherty and his family on the death of his Aunt, INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR JOE Pat Bishop, of Canada and Belfast. Mrs. Bishop was instrumental in providing Joe's family history for his book, Standing Proud. Flie Joe lXiherty Freedom March will begin on October 14th. At 10:00 am, marchers will assemble at the start of the Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts. The staff of the Irish People and Irish Northern Aid extend their They will march to Boston Cily Hall, and then motorcade to the Connecticut State sympathy to the family of John Flint on the passing of their House for a march to Hartford Cily Hall. Participants will then motorcade to New York City, and on the morning of October 15th, will march from Battery Park to brother. He died on August 7,1991, from cancer at the age of 33. New York City Hall. That afternoon the motorcade will arrive in Philadelphia, for He will be remembered for his strong and active support of Irish a march from Philadelphia City Hall to the Liberty Bell. freedom, especially during the 1981 Hunger Strike. On October 16th, Joe's case will be heard in the US Supreme Court. There will be a inarch from the White House to the Supreme Court. We cannot repeat often enough thai this could be Joe's last chance. If the Supreme Court denies Joe the right to a hearing on his claim of political asylum, he will Immediately be put on a plane headed for Long Kesh Prison Camp. THE IRISH PEOPLE We cant let Joe down. Make every effort to join the Freedom March for Joe. If Editor: John McDonagh you cannot get to the East Coast, have a demonstration in front of the U.S. Justice Assistant Editor: Cait Mullen, Brian M6r 6 Baoigill Department In your town. Copy Editor: Liam O'Keefe Throughout the world, in London, Dunlin. Belfast and Australia there will be Cartoonist & Staff Columnist: Brian M6r 6Baoigill demonstrations in front of American Embassies on October 16th. Business & Operations Manager: Monica Ryan Please contact the National Committee for Joe Doherty at (212) 518-6358, or the Ad Design & Layout: Mike Lapp&n Irish People at (212) 567-1611. to let us know if you can attend and need Staff Reporters: Gina Sigillito, Celine Canavan accommodations, or. If you can'l attend, and will participate in a demonstration in your town. Joe has spent over nine years in prison in this country. The least we can The Irish People Newspaper (ISSN 0888-3556 USPS 070-770) do is spend three days fighting for his freedom is published weekly (except the second week in August and the third week in December) by the Irish People Inc., 4951 Broadway, New York, NY 10034. Second Class Postage Paid at New York, NY. MARCH MEETING Annual Subscription Rate $30 in the United States, $38 Canada There will be a planning meeting for the Ireedom March l^or Joe on Thursday, September TELEPHONE 212-567-1611, FAX 212-567-2266 26th, at 7:00 pm at the Blarney Star Hie Blarney Star is located on Murray Street between Postmaster: please send change of address to the following address: Church Street and West Broadway in Lower Manhattan. All interested people are invited THE IRISH PEOPLE 4951 BROADWAY to attend, and all organizations are urged to send delegates.