Republicans mark 1916 Rising

Tens of thousands of Irish republicans are taking part in marches, commemorations and wreath laying ceremonies across Ireland to mark the 89th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

A wreath laying ceremony took place on Saturday at Arbour Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of the executed leaders of the Rising

Tomorrow (Sunday) Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness will address the Dublin Easter Commemoration following a march to the GPO, the headquarter of the Rising.

Milltown Cemetery in Belfast will see a number of Easter commemorations corresponding to Provisional, Official, and Republican Sinn Féin, the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, and others.

Speaking at the launch of his party’s annual Easter Lily campaign in Stormont, Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly said that this weekend was “a time for remembering our friends and colleagues who have given their lives in pursuit of our republican ideals and goals. It is a time for reflecting on these ideals.”

“We recall the words of the 1916 Proclamation - an historic document - one of the most progressive documents ever written. The Proclamation spells out the demand for social and economic justice and democracy, of cherishing all the children of the nation equally, irrespective of colour, religion, gender, ability or race, equally.

“Easter is also a time of renewal - a time when we as Irish republicans rededicate ourselves to the legitimate and achievable goals of independence and unity for the people of this island.

“The past year has undoubtedly been both a challenging and indeed very difficult, year for republicans and the peace process. We made a massive breakthrough in the elections in the 26 counties yet ended the last year with the failure once again of unionism to agree the share power on the basis of equality and respect.

“This year Easter comes with the political establishment set once again on a course of criminalizing the republican struggle and by extension our patriot dead. This weekend provides republicans with the opportunity to send a clear message that we are rightly proud of our heritage and our struggle and will not allow it to be tarnished or criminalized.

“There are over 100 commemorations throughout the island and scores more smaller events. Internationally many Irish exiles will also take part in commemorations. I am calling on people to wear an Easter Lily and to make this years Easter Commemorations and events bigger and better than ever before.”

Urgent Appeal