CARDIFF PUBLIC MEETING AND CONFERENCE ON THE NORTH OF IRELAND
20 Years Since The Hunger Strike, a one day public conference on the current situation in the North of Ireland
Saturday 1st December 10.00am-5.30pm County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, Wales
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the 1981 Hunger Strike in Ireland during which 10 men gave their lives in the struggle to retain political status for prisoners in the notorious Maze H-Blocks, and for the right of those prisoners to be acknowledged as fighters for freedom, justice and peace.
This conference will pay tribute to all those who took part in that crucial and tragic period of the Irish Struggle, and also bring all the issues of the current importance in Ireland, most specifically the Peace Process into focus.
Events of recent months have highlighted the failure of the British Government to stand firm on the Good Friday Agreement, which was overwhelmingly ratified in both parts of Ireland in May 1998. Trimble has resigned (and now narrowly re-appointed), Unionism is once again attempting to veto the democratic rights of the Nationalist people to political representation and Britain has supported this by suspending the Assembly. All this has happened in spite of a massive endorsement of Sinn Fein in the last Westminster and Council elections.
Now in 2001, there is continued presence of British troops in the North of Ireland, Britain has refused to disband or fundamentally reform the RUC, RUC collusion in sectarian murders, vicious ongoing Loyalist attacks on the Nationalist community and the denial of the democratic rights of political representation for Nationalists. These issues and many others remain unresolved in spite of the cease-fire = being in place now for seven years and the continued willingness of Nationalist to negotiate for peace.
This unprecedented event will provide a forum for uncensored and unbiased information and debate as opposed to the media coverage in Britain over the last 30 years. This will be an ideal opportunity for = many sections of the community in Wales and further afield in England and Scotland to educate themselves on many aspects of the conflict in the North of Ireland.
We welcome your support, sponsorship and active commitment to make this a successful day.
This event is also being organised in tribute to our most dearly loved and respected friend and comrade Mary Crofton, who died following a brief illness on May 4th this year. Her long standing = commitment to the Troops Out Movement and Irish struggle inspired so many people. She was a life long campaigner for racial justice and peace, her memory will always motivate those who knew her to continue.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
- The 1981 Hunger Strike and Mass Campaign
- Communities Under Siege - People of the Garvaghy Road & The Holy
Cross Primary School
- Racism in the British Policing and Prison Systems
SPEAKERS
Mitchell McLaughlin, MLA Chairperson of Sinn Fein & Assembly Member
To include:
Event organised by: Wales Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee (WHSCC).
Admission: £5 waged, £3 unwaged. Donations welcome.
Further information from: (WHSCC) - 0797 017 4167 (TOM) tom@sparkle123.freeserve.co.uk
National Civil Rights Movement (South West) Phone: 07940 514270 Email:
ncrmsouthwest@aol.com
- The Peace Process: How can we ensure the Labour Government fulfils
its commitment to the Good Friday Agreement?
Breandan Mac Cionnaith, Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition
Gerry McLaughlin, Derry City councillor
John Kelly, brother of Mickey Kelly shot dead on Bloody Sunday
Parents from the Holy Cross Primary School
From The Troops Out Movement
From the Irish Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee
Jon McKenzie, National Civil Rights Movement
Jeremy Corbyn MP (invited)
Arthur Scargill - Socialist Labour Party (invited)
Video and Slide Show from the Bloody Sunday Centre, Derry
Bookstall and Campaigns Information
Evening Social featuring "Claymore" (Glasgow Irish band)
Supported by the Troops Out Movement (TOM) and the National Civil Rights
Movement (NCRM).