Sinn Fein Councillor welcomed in Colorado
Sinn Fein Dublin City Councillor Christy Burke recently completed a
successful visit to Colorado in the United States. Denver was
Councillor Burke's final stop on his eagerly anticipated Irish
Northern Aid Committee West Coast Tour, and Colorado supporters of
the Irish Republicanism were proud to witness the historic first ever
visit of a Sinn Fein Representative to the state.
On the evening preceeding the event, Councillor Burke was warmly
received by Colorado INA members and local Irish republican activists
at a private reception held in his honour at The Druid's Arms in
Louisville, Colorado.
On February 16th, Christy Burke delivered a speech to some fifty
interested activists and parties at the University of Colorado.
The silence in the hall was complete as Councillor Burke spoke of
those who have lost their lives in this long war. He insisted that in
view of this, no one has the right to halt the implementation of the
Good Friday Agreement. Councillor Burke stressed that all sides have
suffered and now is the time to move ahead with the Agreement that
was overwhelmingly approved by the people of Ireland.
He also explained that prior to the signing of the Good Friday
Agreement, all parties involved agreed that decommissioning before
the deadline set forth would not become an issue. David Trimble he
said is simply grasping for an opportunity to stall the talks and
split the Republican Movement. Burke assured all that
decommissioning would not occur prior to Sinn Fein taking their
rightful seats in the Assembly.
Christy Burke also spoke in detail about the problems faced daily in
his Dublin consitituency, particularly the lack of affordable housing
and the problem of drug-dealing and drug addiction.
His speech was followed by an enthusiastic question and answer
session, during which many thought provoking questions were presented
and discussed. Councillor Burke ended the evening by encouraging all
to do their part to insure a lasting peace in Ireland, and asking all
sympathizers to voice their support of the peace process by writing
to Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair to insist that the Good Friday
Agreement move forward unhindered.
Colorado's strong support of Sinn Fein's role in thepeace process was
unmistakable as Cristy Burke stepped down from the platform to
heartfelt applause from all in attendance.
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