Last Friday's referenda results heralded a period of intense
political activity. The next week's and months will decide
whether the potential for a lasting peace will be realised.
Issues such as demilitarisation, equality, the Irish language,
prisoners, and many others will have to be fought for every inch
of the way. Already those who want to block progress on these
issues have resurrected the decommissioning issue. It is - as it
always has been - a distraction aimed at preserving the days of
inequality.
Many of the same people are also demanding that sectarian marches
be allowed through nationalist areas where they are not wanted.
These people - the No men of Unionism - belong in the past.
But last week's vote is a message that that past is dead. The
status quo is no longer an option. People voted for change. And
they have a chance to enhance that message by voting for Sinn
Féin in the Assembly elections. In that way they can guarantee
that the progressive agenda will be pursued with vigour. The work
starts now.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)