The Peace People Experience Rob Fairmichael The Peace People Experience Written and compiled by Rob Fairmichael First published in Dawn Train No.5, 1987 • This is the text as published in 1987 (excluding photos, illustrations and cartoons). It includes the bibliographical details written then. One or two errors of fact have been corrected as well as typographical errors. A number of the people interviewed for this pamphlet have since died, including Peter McLachlan, sadly, in 1999. This web edition, 2000 CE. Printed copies of “The Peace People Experience” are available from INNATE; please enquire. http://members.tripod.co.uk/innate [email protected] The Peace People Experience Rob Fairmichael Contents Contents ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 A Personal Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 The Declaration of the Peace People..................................................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1: An Overview ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 The scene in 1976 ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Ideology ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Common Northern Ireland identity....................................................................................................................................... 8 Community Politics............................................................................................................................................................... 8 Justice.................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Reconciliation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Nonviolence ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10 World Consciousness.......................................................................................................................................................... 11 Structure.............................................................................................................................................................................. 11 The Rallies .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Programme.......................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Welfare................................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Lifeline................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 Reactions to the Peace People............................................................................................................................................. 16 (i) Political parties and government ................................................................................................................................ 16 (ii) The media.................................................................................................................................................................. 17 (iii) Intimidation.............................................................................................................................................................. 17 Relationship with others...................................................................................................................................................... 18 Terminology........................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Trium’vir’ate and leadership............................................................................................................................................... 18 Nobel prize.......................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Women................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Youth for Peace................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Group development............................................................................................................................................................. 22 The crack............................................................................................................................................................................. 22 Administration .................................................................................................................................................................... 22 'Peace' caused by Peace People? ......................................................................................................................................... 22 The 'Split' ............................................................................................................................................................................ 23 Since 1980........................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Youth for Peace................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Kilcranny House.................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Other aspects....................................................................................................................................................................... 28 What happened to................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Closing remarks .................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Chapter 2:Where the Money Went.......................................................................................................................................... 30 The Finances of the Peace People Community Trust and Company................................................................................... 30 Some Details ....................................................................................................................................................................... 31 Controversy over Loan Write-Offs ..................................................................................................................................... 32 Some Trust Grants............................................................................................................................................................... 33 Comparisons........................................................................................................................................................................ 34 Table 2: Who Was Funded – Some Examples .................................................................................................................... 34 Chapter 3: The Local Experience............................................................................................................................................ 37 Andersonstown (West Belfast)............................................................................................................................................ 38 Ballygally, Co. Antrim........................................................................................................................................................ 39 Ballymena, Co. Antrim ....................................................................................................................................................... 40 Ballynafeigh (South Belfast)..............................................................................................................................................