No Orange Rule
A Chairde,
Those people on the left who say that Orange lodges are religious
clubs and should be allowed to march through nationalist areas,
should read Collins English dictionary: ``Orange Lodges, founded
as a secret order in Ireland to uphold the protestant religion,
the protestant dynasty and protestant supremacy against Irish
nationalists and Roman Catholics''.
This sums up the Orange Order, sheer bloody minded triumphalism;
if the big drum does not frighten the nationalists, the British
army and the RUC will move in to enforce the Orange will on the
unlucky residents of the Catholic ghettoes. Times have changed
since the Orange Order was founded in 1795. `The croppies are off
their knees' and are fighting back, so the British state, its
media and the Irish government have to portray the nationalists
as terrorists whose only wish is to kill and maim. Defending
one's home and community is a crime if you are a nationalist, or
anyone who suggests that nationalists are entitled to protection
against the British state or the Orange Order.
Socialist and other progressive people desire peace in Ireland
and Britain, but we do not seek peace at `any price', a shameful
peace will only delay the next uprising. We demand a just, and
lasting peace, this will only come when the British state accepts
that the Irish people as a WHOLE are entitled to self
determination and social justice, repeals the Government of
Ireland Act, frees all Irish political prisoners, repeals the
PTA, disbands and disarms, the RUC-RIR, takes ALL British troops
out of north east Ireland, recognises articles 2 and 3 of the
Irish constitution and gives a commitment to withdraw
unconditionally from Ireland. Until this comes about no-one, in
Britain or Ireland, can talk of a `lasting' peace, a just and
lasting, peace. And no one, especially any one on the left, can
berate the IRA for continuing the armed struggle against British
imperialism and refusing to surrender to Orange dictates.
William Benton,
Birmingham.
Croppies Acre
A Chairde,
As you are all aware, Philistine bureaucrats in the National
Museum are intending to destroy the Croppies Acre site to make
way for a bus park. The incongruity and hypocrisy of those
responsible who claim to be safeguarding our heritage while
contemplating such an odious aberration is overwhelming.
Republicans have always maintained a diligent interest in the
upkeep of our heritage and all those interested in doing so again
can be assured of a warm welcome at the Teachers Club in Parnell
Square, Dublin on Saturday 16 August at 2.30pm.
One wonders if plans were made to destroy King William's chair in
Dublin Castle, what reaction we could receive from Shoneen Bruton
and his jellybacked blueshirts.
Thus it is vital to prevent the Cruise-O'Brien freakshow from
winning the next round!
Dara Ui Coigligh
Campaign Against Desecration of Croppies Acre
Glasgow commemoration arrests
A chairde,
At the Kieran Doherty Commemoration in Glasgow's Calton District
on Friday evening 18 July, six bands of the West of Scotland Band
Alliance were targeted by the police. Forty bandspeople, stewards
and supporters were arrested without just cause, which has led
the WOSBA to believe they have been targeted by the authorities
to try and put them off the roads for good.
People were arrested even for speaking up for others who were
being arrested. An 18 year old pregnant woman who asked why her
14 year old cousin was being arrested was punched by a policeman.
Others were assaulted and sat on in the police van. When the
march organisers tried to get their complaints heard by the
officer in charge, Inspector Patrick Ferguson, he would only say
he had no-one to answer to.
Those arrested were held until Tuesday 22 July due to public
holidays.
Band members were questioned by Special Branch, claiming they
were Glasgow CID, about their forthcoming trip to Ireland to take
part in the internment rally. They were asked if they had enough
money to go, who they would stay with, who were their friends in
the band, who were their leaders in Glasgow, etc.
Certain courses of action are being taken to stop this happening
again. The WOSBA is holding a commemoration on 31 September at
11.30am, in Glasgow's Parkhead district, in memory of Tom
Williams. The commemoration will be led by the Tom Williams band
and five republican flute bands.
yone arrested at the 18 July commemoration should contact WOSBA
(c/o An Phoblacht or local bandspeople) urgently.
Joseph Pearse
Chief Steward/PRO
WOSBA
Rás Urraithe na gCimí
A Chairde,
Bhéinn an-bhuíoch díot dá dtiocfadh leat spás a thabhairt dúinn
le eolas a thabhairt do bhur leitheoirí faoi imeacht airithe atá
reachtailte ag na cimí poblachtánacha in Éirinn agus thar sáile.
Mar is gnáth, beidh an Rás Urraithe bliantúil ag tarlú ar an 9ú
lá de Mhí Lúnasa le airgead a shaorú ar son na nGaelscoileanna.
Beidh Foirmeacha urraíochta ag dul timpeall sna ceantair aitiúla
ar fud an Tuaiscirt agus bheadh muid an-bhuíoch as bhur
dtacaíocht, Rachaidh airgead ar bith a bhaileofar go dtí
oideachas fríd mheán na Gaeilge. Mura bhfeiceann tú foirm
urraíochta ag dul timpeall i do cheantar is féidir deontas a chur
go díreach chuig `Rás Urraithe' F/ch Roinn na gCimí Cogaidh, 5
Sráid Conway, Belfast nó Marcus Mac Ruairí, Ionad Shinn Féin, 17
Circular Road, Castlewellan, Co. An Dún. Ar an taobh eile is
féidir leat deontas a chur go díreach chuig do Ghaelscoil áitiúil
más fearr leat. Cibé ar bith, tá súil againn go mbeidh tú sásta a
thacú leis an iarracht seo.
Feilim O hAdhmaill
Gaeltacht na Fuiseoige
Cheis Fhada
A Chairde,
I'd appreciate space in your columns to inform your readers about
a particular event being organised by republican POWs here in
Ireland and overseas. The annual Sponsored Fun Run will take
place as usual in the various jails on Saturday 9 August to help
raise funds for Irish Language schools and nurseries. Sponsorship
forms will be circulating in local areas throughout the North and
we would greatly appreciate your support. All money raised will
go towards Irish language education. If you are unable to find a
sponsorship form you might consider simply sending a donation in
support of this event direct to `Sponsored Fun Run' POW Dept, 5
Conway Street, Belfast or to Marcus Mac Ruairí, The Sinn Féin
Centre, 17 Circular Road, Castlewellan, Co Down. On the other
hand, if you prefer, you might consider simply sending a donation
directly to your local Irish school. In any event, we hope for
your support for this effort.
Feilim O hAdhmaill
Gaeltacht na Fuiseoige
Cheis Fhada
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