Sinn Féin Easter statement

On this the 93rd anniversary of the 1916 Rising the leadership of Sinn Féin extends its solidarity to the families of all our patriot dead.

We remember with pride those comrades from every generation who gave their lives for the cause of Irish freedom.

We extend solidarity to those Irish republicans in prison.

We are immensely proud of our patriot dead and of their families.

Last year in the course of a series of meetings across the country the Sinn Féin leadership engaged with the families of our patriot dead. These engagements were very informative and helpful.

As a result Coiste Naisiunta an Tirghra (Patriot Dead National Committee) was established.

Anyone wishing to assist in this programme of work should make contact locally.

The ideals and principles of the Proclamation are as relevant today as they have ever been.

The realisation of those ideals and principles is among the many tasks that we must complete in the time ahead.

In the coming months our party will contest elections North and South and there will be a new referendum on the Lisbon Treaty later in the year.

Everyone has a role to play in the forthcoming elections. Get involved now.

The current economic crisis affects us all. While this is a global crisis it is has been exacerbated by flawed Irish government policies and mismanagement.

We must reach out to and join with those political parties, voluntary and community organisations and trade unions that want to see real political change across the island of Ireland.

Irish unity remains Sinn Féin's primary objective. We have a strategy to achieve that objective. Others disagree. But they offer no alternative.

We are right to resist those who have attacked the Peace Process.

This includes those in the British establishment who would seek to use recent events as an excuse to rush back to the days of militarisation and the abuses that flow from that.

In Ireland today there is an alternative to armed struggle.

A small number of militarist factions oppose Sinn Féin's peace strategy.

Many are involved in criminal actions. Moreover they have no political programmes or strategies.

There is no feasible alternative to Sinn Féin's strategy for a United Ireland.

Our objective now must be to consolidate the Peace Process and maximize popular support for national and democratic objectives.

Our greatest challenge in the time ahead is advancing our republican goal of a free, independent United Ireland.

We need to build Sinn Féin everywhere.

We need to make political alliances and to campaign on social and economic issues.

We also need to build support internationally.

We need to build the politics of republicanism and to unite Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter.

We believe that Irish unity can deliver social, economic and cultural equality for all of our people.

As we celebrate the lives of our comrades and commemorate the sacrifices of our patriot dead let us re-commit ourselves to the achievement of our republican objectives.

Urgent Appeal