#Time4Unity UNITY# AM LE hAONTACHT NEWS

NUACHT NA hAONTACHTA JULY IÚIL 2021

PLAYING THE

BY GERRY Bonfires built on public highways are festooned our history. ADAMS with effigies, Irish Flags, posters of politicians Of course the Battle of the Boyne was never to be burned. Huge amounts of alcohol are about religion. It was about power. It was King ORANGEThis is July. consumed. On these occasions the twelfth CARD is Billy supported by the Pope against King James In the North celebrated by hatefests! and the King of France. July is widely Because of this many Orangemen feel they are The Pope paid part of King Billy’s expenses known as misunderstood. They do not help themselves by and when news reached Rome a Te Deum was the Orange refusing to talk to their neighbours. Or by failing sung in the Vatican. The Pope supported the Month. So this to face up to their responsibilities to bring a Dutchman William against James after the July edition halt to anti community actions. Instead some English Parliament sacked James and invited of Unity News present these events as part of their culture. William to take on the job. James teamed up includes an Burning pallets and tyres is hardly cultural with the King of France to try and get his job orange card. activity. back and he and William fought for it in Ireland. I am sure this It is true that many orange parades, particularly The Pope and the rest wanted to curb the power will provoke debate in republican ranks. That is in rural areas, are family occasions. A good day of France. the intention. out for all involved. Indeed the orange parade The Battle of the Boyne incidentally was fought Some may be disposed to dispatch this in Rossnowlagh in Donegal is a very good on 1 July and not the 12th of July. That was then. republican Orange Card to friends and foe example of this. The Donegal Grandmaster This is now. alike. As a gesture of future intentions in the once explained very honestly that the Orange is one of our national colours. Its future new agreed United Ireland. Rossnowlagh parade is so successful because it is with the rest of us of every colour and none. Others will be less sanguine. Some might cringe. threatens nobody. Equality must be our watchword. Everyone has Be angry. Annoyed or perturbed by this little The marching band is a tradition which the the right to civil and religious freedom. The July initiative. That’s hardly surprising given the orange has kept alive. Many young people are Planter and the Gael are the best guarantors of history of the Orange Order and the playing introduced to fifes, flutes, pipes and drumming each other’s future in our home place. of the Orange Card at different points in our through these bands. The world renowned flutist The working class loyalist and working class history. James Galway started his musical career in an unionists who celebrate the twelfth certainly Since its inception the Orange has been Orange band. have more in common with working class associated with sectarian triumphalistic So there is a future for the Orange in a new nationalists and republicans than they ever behaviour. For a long time it was a powerful agreed Ireland where it will threaten no could have with the Big House unionists who network which united the Unionist ruling class, one. Orange is part of what we are. It’s main used to run the place by dividing us. elements of the judiciary, business and Church organisation is an all Ireland organisation. Our responsibilty is to convince them of that. figures and working class unionists. It always saw itself as Irish. But they were the But first we too have to be convinced. We are Little wonder the northern statelet was known loyal Irish. The identification with Britishness not about liberating ourselves alone. We are for as the Orange State. But all that has changed. by some unionists is a relatively recent one, the liberation of those we disagree with. Or who Nowadays the biggest parade in the North is though back in the day they did identify with disagree with us. Including those who oppressed for Pride. The Orange Order is no longer the the Empire. Maybe some still do. But the Empire us. powerful force it used to be. It hasn’t gone away is no more. We are about changing political, social and however and is still embroiled in controversy, When I was a TD for Louth, while protesting in economic conditions so that they and others mostly in recent years arising from parades and the North against coattrailing Orange parades, will also liberate themselves. That includes the other activities in neighbourhoods where they I encouraged locals to make the Battle of the Orange. are unwelcome. Boyne site a welcoming place for the Orange The atmosphere is very threatening at these Order to visit. This very fine site is one of DOWNLOAD YOUR events. Kick the Pope bands vie with each other the attractions of the historic Boyne Valley, ORANGE CARD - PAGE 2 sometimes outside Catholic places of worship. alongside its Neolithic antiquities. It is part of DOWNLOAD YOUR ORANGE CARD

Log in to print up your copy. https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2021/A4_A5_12JULY2.pdf

Logáil isteach chun do chóip féin a phriontáil. https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2021/A4_A5_12JULY2.pdf

Unity referendum “within this decade” – Mary Lou McDonald

Speaking in Belfast on 23 June in the midst of efforts to this island must be involved in designing what shape that takes. resolve the political crisis created by Brexit and the DUP Far from diluting unionist tradition or British identity and culture decision to dump two leaders within weeks the Sinn Fein in any future arrangements, these rights like others must be leader Mary Lou MacDonald set out her belief “that within guaranteed. this decade the people will have the opportunity to freely Recently Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar made choose new constitutional and political arrangements on a welcome political intervention saying that the time to this island.” start planning for Irish Unity is now. I hope that he and the Uachtarán Shinn Féin said: government of which he is a part is as good as his word and will “Change is in the air and many are assessing the type of start this process now. future that is possible. Can it be better than the past? Can it Let me be clear, there is no contradiction in working within a be better than the status quo? Of course, it can. functioning power-sharing government while building for a new The pace of this discourse is accelerating, both inside and united shared Ireland. outside of the political systems in London, in Belfast and in So, while the different parties in the Executive at this time Dublin. I firmly believe that within this decade the people may hold different and legitimate visions for the future, power will have the opportunity to freely choose new constitutional sharing and the primacy of a democratic, respectful and tolerant and political arrangements on this island, as underpinned must be the order of the day as we forge a path forward in by the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. common cause, demonstrating a unity of purpose for all of our Everyone who has a stake in this transformation from across people.” THE MOUNTAIN

The City of Belfast is ringed by Hills. In recent years the Black Mountain which looks down over the City has become a huge billboard for citizens who have a story to tell or a message to offer, including on international issues. Most recently there was the largest Cuban Flag in the world unveiled in opposition to the US embargo of that small Caribbean island. The plight of the Palestinians is also frequently recorded. JuneSPEAKS 22 marked 100 years since the inaugural meeting of the Unionist Parliament in Belfast City Hall. The imposition of partition was a disaster for the people of the island of Ireland. The northern state quickly became an apartheid sectarian system in which nationalists were subject to structured discrimination in employment and housing, electoral boundaries were gerrymandered and tens of thousands were refused the right to vote. Censorship, repression and the denial of rights and justice were widespread. That morning, in huge letters that could be seen all over Belfast City the message “Partition has failed” was erected on the mountain by Gael Force Art. Alongside it was the Sinn Féin banner “A United Ireland is for everyone – Let’s talk about it – Déanaimis le chéile é.” Later that day the banner was displayed in Springhill and some days later it was displayed in the shadow of Derry’s Walls. It was then taken across the border and placed inside Grianan of Aileach, a spectacular hillfort on top of the Greenan Mountain at Inishowen in County Donegal. Speaking to the Derry Journal local coordinator of the Irish Unity campaign Councillor Conor Heaney said: “This is another step to highlight the local Irish Unity campaign at two iconic landmarks and we want as many people as possible to be part of the conversation. “The very practical, present-day challenges presented by both the pandemic and by Brexit have not only reshaped the discussion on Irish Unity, these crises have brought the prospect of a United Ireland into mainstream thinking. Conversations are happening in every corner of our island. In every town. In every village. In every city. North and South.” Back in Belfast the family of hunger striker Kieran Doherty were present when it was put on display in Andersonstown, close to Kieran’s home. Log in to print up your copy. The banner will be in Dublin this week and in the near future will be travelling to East Derry, Strabane and https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2021/A4_A5_12JULY2.pdf to the west of Ireland. It is available for other areas if they contact Belfast Sinn Féin at _ Brendy McElkerney 07798535517 Logáil isteach chun do chóip féin a phriontáil. ON A FINAL NOTE: https://www.sinnfein.ie/files/2021/A4_A5_12JULY2.pdf  Areas that bring the banner into their locality should ensure photographs and  video are taken for social media platforms.  If possible its unfurling should be turned into an event with a speaker.  All events should be governed by Covid restrictions.  The local press should be informed. A statement or statements should be issued. United Ireland demand lights up Cork City

The dockland of Cork City was lit up at the start of June carried new reports of the event. This included, by a massive projection onto the wall of the R&H Hall interviews with Thomas Gould TD and a two page building promoting the objective of a United Ireland. spread in the Echo under the headline “Cork politicians The messages #Time4Unity and Am d’Aontacht could be believe Irish unity is possible.” seen over much of Cork. The illustration of the island of The paper accepted that: “The topic of a united Ireland Ireland was accompanied by two other iconic images. is one that is being discussed much more regularly and One was of the Lord Mayor of Cork Tomás MacCurtin openly.” It sought the views of political representatives who was assassinated by the Royal Irish Constabulary from all of the Cork parties on a United Ireland and all (RIC) in March 1920. The second was of his successor accepted that Irish Unity is desirable and achievable. Terence MacSwiney who died in Brixton prison in Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould who represents Cork North October 1920 after 74 days on hunger strike. Central welcomed the positive comments on Irish Cork Sinn Féin planned the event carefully and ensured Unity from all of the elected representatives saying; that the display would get maximum coverage on a “Uniting Ireland in my lifetime is something I have variety of social media platforms, including facebook, always believed possible and it is encouraging that Leo twitter, Instagram and Tic Toc. When totalled this Varadkar now shares this view. amounted a quarter of a million hits by the end of June. The conversation on what a United Ireland should look The display also attracted local press interest that like must include all communities as equals, the length UNITED IRELAND DEMAND LIGHTS UP CORK CITY continued and breadth of the island. We need to work with others, including our partners in the European Union to deliver on the potential for reunification that now exists.” The Cork TD added: “We have entered a defining period in the history of this island. A United Ireland is not simply about grafting the North onto the South. It is about planning for a New Ireland that embraces all of our citizens on the basis of equality. In this respect the Irish government carries the greater responsibility. It has an obligation to plan for Irish Unity, to establish a Citizen’s Assembly, to engage with our unionist neighbours and with those who identify as British, to discuss their concerns and where the many other issues that arise from reunification can be discussed and solutions agreed.” Thomas Gould pointed out that it is Sinn Féin’s intention to expand the discussion on Unity within Cork: “We’re hoping to have these conversations now in soccer clubs, GAA clubs, and community associations. We want to see people when they go for coffee, or lunch or dinner, they have these conversations. We want to make people feel at ease that they can have these conversations with their family, friends or workmates.” The Cork initiative is an example of what is possible if local areas think outside the box and take innovative initiatives. The projection generated a month of conversation on Unity and with further local work that will be sustained into the future.

The Munster Regional Secretary Michelle Shahid has also produced a detailed report on the project and how it was planned and organised which would provide useful guidance for other others contemplating this or a similar project. If interested please contact Emma McArdle Senior Policy & Campaign Manager with the Uniting Ireland Project.  emma.mcardle@sinnfein .ie Well done Cork.

FERMANAGH GAELS

Over 1,000 Fermanagh Gaels have signed up to a letter for An Taosieach quite informally in Antrim, observing what’s happening across the island, BACKMicheál Martin calling on the Irish government UNITY to take the lead in planning observing whatCALL is happening with Brexit, observing and listening to discussions that are already taking place on the future constitutional status conversations especially as matches opened up and people attended games, of the island. The letter also urges the “Government to establish an All Island and they felt there was a need for grassroots Gaels to have their voice.” Citizens Assembly reflecting the views of citizens North and South to achieve The Fermanagh Gaels believe that there is an onus on the Taoiseach and his maximum consensus on a way forward.” government to “begin the planning for constitutional change, and to ensure The letter, which has been signed by leading Gaels in the county, points out that the outworking of the Good Friday Agreement is implemented ... call that “Gaels are uniquely well-placed at the very heart of local communities on the Taoiseach to instigate a Citizens Assembly so all these things can be to contribute constructively to the conversation on the future of this Island.” discussed properly, and in a very mature manner across all sections of society In May Antrim Gaels signed the letter to An Taoiseach. Last week Fermanagh in Ireland, and to allow citizens such as grassroots Gaels like ourselves to became the second county to gather signatures. Of the more than 1000 have an input.” names attached to the letter are well known Fermanagh All-Stars Peter In Fermanagh those who support the letter initiative are calling for clubs to McGinnity, Fermanagh Ladies Captain, Courteney Murphy; All-Ireland B circulate it to members and for those who have not winning Captain, Cormac McAdam; and former Fermanagh Hurling Manager, seen the letter to speak to their friends and members. Sean Duffy. Also the letter has been signed by Sean Duffy, Collie Curran, Cormac McAdam, Fr. Gary Donegan, Vinny Connelly, Roisin McDonald, Barry For those interested in reading the letter Owens, Marty McGrath, Nuala McManus, Naomi McManus, Joe McGoldrick, and signing up to it, it is available at: Daniel Teague, Eamon Maguire, Geraldine Montgomery, Shea Curran, and https://forms.gle/Z9PZ9jT3V7eNTvor5 Anna Boyle. Kevin McKeogh is one of those involved in organising the gathering of signatures for the letter. He won an All-Ireland Junior Hurling medal in 1994. He lives in Belfast where he is active with St. John’s GAC. Speaking about this initiative he explained that having signed up to the Antrim letter he STOP PRESS: Derry, Armagh decided to see if Fermanagh Gaels would be interested in supporting a and Tyrone Gaels join Initiative similar campaign. McKeogh told the Fermanagh Impartial Reporter: “I spoke As Unity News is preparing to be emailed out to party members the to a few people I knew, and there seemed to be an appetite for it, and we number of counties involved in the Gaels initiative is increasing. Gaels in began to build our first 15 [signatories], who were prominent Gaels from the Derry, Armagh and Tyrone have publicly spoken of their efforts to secure county, and we contacted them and they were more than happy to support signatures for a letter to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin. More details on the initiative. From that, it has organically grown through the clubs and this developing and important initiative by Gaels will be available in the continues to grow.” August edition of Unity News. He added: “The letter is from grassroots Gaels who first of all came together Planning for AMOLTAÍ SHINN FÉIN LE TÓGÁIL A DHÉANAMH DON TODHCHAÍ Cuireann oidhreacht na staideanna coimhlinte agus roinnte scáth fada ar iarrachtaí chun todhchaí níos fearr a thógáil. the Future Níor dhéileáil sochaí na hÉireann go fóill leis an ngortú, an eagla agus leis an amhras a chruthaigh na glúnta de chur isteach coilíneach na Breataine agus an choimhlint pholaitiúil a bhí mar thoradh In March Sinn Féin published ‘Inclusion and Reconciliation in a New Ireland.’ air. Unity News is serialising extracts from the paper which sets out Sinn Féin’s Mar shampla, tá cogadh cathartha na hÉireann beagnach céad bliain ó shin fós ag teacht salach ar position on promoting inclusion and reconciliation, ending sectarianism and stair agus ar pholaitíocht nua-aimseartha na hÉireann. Ní dhearna stát an deiscirt aon phróiseas building an agreed New Ireland. athmhuintearais éifeachtach riamh chun déileáil leis an gcatairsis sin i stair ár dtíre. This edition sets the context and identifies the five broad areas of policy which Ag a chroílár, is féidir le próiseas athmhuintearais agus leighis barántúil an talamh coitianta a will help shape the future constitutional structure of the New Ireland. chruthú chun déileáil leis an iliomad ceisteanna nár freagraíodh ón am atá thart. Ba chóir go This month we address the issue of Commemorations. mbeadh sé ina chosán ón am atá thart go dtí an todhchaí. The legacy of conflict and division stills casts a long shadow over efforts to Admhaímid freisin an oibleagáid uathúil atá ar náisiúnaithe Éireannacha a chur ina luí ar ár build a better future. Irish society has gcomharsana Aontachtacha (agus gach duine a bhféadfadh yet to deal with the hurt, fear and mianta difriúla a bheith acu) na buntáistí, na cearta agus na mistrust caused by generations of British teidlíochtaí a bheadh cumhdaithe agus cosanta in Éirinn nua, colonial interference and resulting aontaithe agus aontaithe. political conflict. Aithníonn Sinn Féin an gá atá le hidirphlé náisiúnta a théann 2021MARCH 2021MÁRTA

For example, Ireland’s civil war almost MÁRTA MARCH i dteagmháil go bríomhar le hoidhreacht na críochdheighilte, one hundred years ago still overshadows na roinnte agus na pian. modern Irish history and politics. No Mar thaca leis an gcur chuige seo, tá tograí forbartha ag INCLUSIONAND CUIMSIÚAGUS effective reconciliation process was ever Sinn Féin ar raon saincheisteanna tábhachtacha eile lena undertaken by the southern state to RECONCILIATION ATHMHUINTEARAS n-áirítear: IN A NEW IN ÉIRINN NUA  Cuimhneacháin, deal with that catharsis in our country’s IRELAND history.  Déileáil le Oidhreacht an am atá thart At its core, an authentic reconciliation  Ról na nInstitiúidí Polaitiúla and healing process can create the  Ceannaireacht agus beartas polaitiúil common ground to deal with the many  Cumann Pobail & Cathartha unanswered questions from the past. It should be a pathway from the past to CUIMHNEACHÁIN the future. Tacaíonn Sinn Féin le comhchultúr comórtha a fhorbairt We also acknowledge the unique obligation on Irish nationalists to persuade i sochaí na hÉireann thuaidh agus theas. Ag a chroílár, caithfidh sé seo a bheith bunaithe ar our Unionist neighbours (and all who may hold different aspirations) of the phrionsabail an chomh-urraim, na dínite agus nahíogaireachta. benefits, rights and entitlements that would be enshrined and safeguarded in Chun é sin a chur chuncinn, déanfaidh Sinn Féin a leanas: a new, agreed and united Ireland. Leanfar de bheith samhlaíoch agus cruthaitheach agus muid ag tabhairt tionscnamh maidir le Sinn Féin recognises the need for a national dialogue which meaningfully comóradh agus cuimhneamh a fheabhsaíonn an t-athmhuintearas agus an leigheas. engages with the legacy of partition, division and pain. Tabharfar tiomantas go gcuirfear go dearfach le comhchultúr comórtha atá uilechuimsitheach, In support of this approach, Sinn Féin has also developed proposals on a range measúil agus bunaithe ar chomhionannas meas, agus a aithníonn an pian agus an deighilt a of other important issues including: tharlaíonn de bharr gach beatha a chailltear i gcoimhlint.  Commemorations, Freagfórfar go dearfach do chuirí comórtha roinnte a chuireann le torthaí athmhuintearais agus  Dealing with the Legacy of the Past leighis.  The Role of Political Institutions  Political Leadership and policy  Community & Civic Society What can Activists do to promote Inclusion and COMMEMORATIONS Sinn Féin supports the development of a shared culture Reconciliation as we move towards a New Ireland? Hold meetings with trade unionists; and of commemoration in Irish society north and south. At its defined religious organisations, Protestant core, this must be based upon the principles of mutual . and Catholic; members of business respect, dignity and sensitivity. organisations like the CBI and traders’ bodies In furtherance of this, Sinn Féin will:  Inform yourself of the content and proposals and those sporting organisations who are  Continue to be imaginative and creative in taking interested to discuss the issue with us. for inclusion and reconciliation in this  initiatives on commemoration and remembering document. Reach out to your local faith groups, which enhance reconciliation and healing  Discuss these proposals with comrades. local Chambers of Commerce & business  Commit to making a positive contribution to  organisations, sports organisations, youth Engagement is key. Be proactive! a shared culture of commemoration which is  and community groups. Actively seek their inclusive, respectful and based upon parity of Be proactive in challenging sectarianism opinion on this policy, current circumstances esteem, and which acknowledges the pain and whatever its source. Republicans should and the prospects of change.  division caused by all lives lost in conflict have a zero tolerance for all discriminatory Consider Council motions in relation to this  Respond positively to shared commemoration language. policy.   invitations which contribute to reconciliation and Develop your own local public anti Circulate the policy to other elected healing outcomes. sectarianism campaign.  representatives, invite discussion on the Create platforms for calm and reasoned document. exchange of views.  THE INCLUSION AND  Use Social Media to promote inclusion and RECONCILIATION PAPER Could your area arrange an online panel reconciliation and inform others of Sinn Fein’s discussion on anti-sectarianism? proposals. IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT   https://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/60497 Continue to reach out and engage with those Take out adverts and write letters to your from a unionist/loyalist background. local media on this topic to inform the public. TRADE UNIONS FOR A NEW AND

UNITEDTrade Unionists for a new and UnitedIRELAND Ireland held another successful online event on 17 June. Entitled “Everyone’s talking about it – Trade Unionists Cllr. John McNamee Cllr. Córa Corry discuss a New and United Ireland” was chaired by TUNUI steering committee member and former SIPTU official Mags Obrien. It included important contributions from Patricia McKeown, Regional Secretary of UNISON, Mid Ulster Council backs Jack O’Connor, former ICTU President and Labour Party Chairperson, Mick O’Reilly former head of Unite Ireland, and Martina Devlin, respected journalist and Ireland’s future spokesperson. working group on Unity Nearly 100 trade unionists participated in the meeting with a lively Q&A. The discussion drew on the panels’ experience of managing, negotiating In April Derry and Strabane Council and Belfast City Council and resolving contentious issues in the past such as during the marriage passed motions supporting the establishment of working groups equality and Repeal the 8th Amendment campaigns and the ongoing on Irish Unity. In Belfast the working group will examine how campaign in support of Palestine. best to maximise the opportunities that now exist arising from Speaking as a representative of Ireland’s Future Martina Devlin said: Brexit and to meet with the Shared Island Unit of the Irish “There is momentum around the prospects for constitutional change. The government to discuss all-island matters, including unity. The ground has shifted because of demographics, because of economics, working group established by Derry and Strabane Council will because of Brexit. So shaping change is really important ... we all have engage in a consultation with citizens on the shape of the new a part to play in shaping change. It needs to be managed responsibility. Ireland. And that means dialogue and it also means planning for change. The At the end of May the Mid Ulster District Council passed a similar conversation is under way. It is mainstream. People are talking about the motion on Irish Unity. Proposed by Sinn Féin Councillor John possibility of constitutional change ... Ireland’s Future wants to build a broad McNamee the motion “recognises that the discussions about coalition of people working for change.” constitutional change is now well under way and this Council The Irish trade union movement has never shied away from these important has a duty to consult with its ratepayers on this important issue national conversations and has proven time and again that debate can be and the implications for the Council area.” The Council agreed conducted in a comradely and cohesive way to maximize to “begin a consultation with ratepayers and community and worker unity. The event can be watched back here: business representatives to assess views on the issues related to https://youtu.be/lbPmoDWTWcQ constitutional change.” TUNUI hold frequent online events. If you would like to Cllr McNamee said: “We all know the human cost of partition. get involved in the campaign or become a signatory It has failed the people in the North, and the decades of of their group visit www.tu4ui.ie underinvestment in health, education, infrastructure and public services are all symptoms of this. The North is the slowest growing economy on these islands and it also has the lowest paid jobs. All of our people deserve a modern Ireland based upon equality and respect, in which the civil and religious liberties of everyone are protected and where all traditions and identities, including those who are British, Irish or from places are protected under the law.” Carntogher Sinn Féin councillor Córa Corry who supported the establishment of the working group urged other Councils to hold similar debates and pass similar motions. She said: “The more we discuss the likelyhood of a United Ireland – the more we can ensure that we are prepared for it when it comes. This is about a conversation. Everybody involved and everything on the table. Irish Unity will see the island of Ireland within the EU and allow us to tackle the underfunding in our health care system. Economists are telling us that a united Ireland will generate a significant boost to our economy.”  RESOURCE FOR ACTIVISTS TIME FOR Am le All of the recent articles and significant contributions on the IRISH hAontacht United Ireland theme are available on the Sinn Féin website. UNITY NA hÉIREANN Log in to www.sinnfein.ie/irish-unity for all of the news on uniting Ireland.

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