SFY say: keep Rule 21
By Deirdre Feehan
On Sunday 17 May Sinn Fein Youth held a protest outside Omagh GAC
at the Tyrone v Down Championship match opposing the proposed
changes to the GAA's Rule 21 and calling for the disbandment of
the RUC.
Over 50 young people from Belfast, South Armagh, Dublin,
Greencastle, Carrickmore and Omagh took part in the mid-Tyrone
SFY organised protest. Assembled at the gates of the ground with
banners calling for no change to Rule 21, the crowd caught
people's attention with whistles and chants - `no change to 21'
and `SS RUC' - which were greeted with applause, cheers and words
of encouragement from many of the passing fans.
SFY had planned a half-time pitch invasion, wearing the GAA
colours from all 32 counties, but were refused access by Omagh
GAA officials. However, over 5000 leafets were handed out after
the match.
SFY spokesperson Eoin O Broin stated, ``the British Army, RIR and
RUC have been responsible for the murder of over 400
nationalists. Harassment and intimidation continue daily, and
have played the pivotal role in maintaining a discriminatory
state by force. Rule 21 is not sectarian, it is a valid
expression of the anger felt by thousands of GAA supporters
against the crown forces and their campaign of harassment and
terror conducted against nationalist sports. Rule 21 must remain
until all these matters are adequately addressed.''
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