Adams meets family of Martin Luther King
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday and Friday 9 and 10 November, where he visited the Martin Luther King Centre to hear about its aims and work.
Speaking from Atalnta, Adams said: ``The struggle for civil and human rights in Ireland was inspired by the work of Martin Luther King. He strove to give leadership to his people and fought for their rights, respect and dignity. He is an icon for all those seeking justice and equality.
``I am honoured to have an opportunity to visit here and to speak to the people who are carrying on his life's work.
``Ireland's peace process is going through one of its most difficult phases. The two Sinn Féin ministers in the powersharing government have been denied their right to set out on the North/South Ministerial, the essential all Ireland dimension of the Good Friday Agreement. They and our electorate have been disenfranchised.
``We do not accept this, but I know that I will go back to Ireland reinvigorated by my visit to the centre and determined to carry on the struggle for equality, justice, and freedom.''
While in Atlanta, he also met with Archbishop John F. Donoghue and with Governor Barnes at the State Capitol.
Record Friends of Sinn Féin Fundraiser
The Friends of Sinn Féin Committee held its most successful fundraising event to date in New York on Wednesday 8 November.
The 1,100 in attendance at the dinner at the Sheraton heard Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams pay tribute to those who support Sinn Féin's goal of peace, justice and a United Ireland.
Frank Durkan, the eminent New York human rights lawyer, was emcee for the evening. Pat Donaghy, who has spearheaded the Friends of Sinn Féin Committee, was presented with a painting by Irish artist Robert Ballagh of the old Donaghy family home in Tyrone. Pat's sons, Brian and Jim, have taken up Pat's central role on the Friends of Sinn Féin Committee.
Friends of Sinn Féin is already planning similar events in other American cities in the near future.
McGuinness to brief US officials
Sinn Féin Mid Ulster MP and Assembly Education minister Martin McGuinness was in Washington DC on Wedenesday, 15 November, to brief senior US government officials at the White House as part of a weeklong visit to the US.
McGuinness will update the officials on the current crisis in the peace process, and brief tham on the current state of play on the policing issue and on the lack of progress on demilitarisation.
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