Special Report from Dave Bailey, LPDC Representative for Ireland and England
Special Report- 29 January 07
By Dave Bailey, LPDC Representative for Ireland and England.
Yesterday on 28 January, 2007, Sinn Fein held a special Ard Fheis to discuss the issue of whether or not the party should enter into policing structures in the partitioned six counties in the north eastern part of the country (Northern Ireland) and into the police, or ‘Garda Siochana,’ of the Republic of Ireland. The meeting centred on a debate to end the 86 year opposition Sinn Fein has taken against police in both parts of the country. Needless to say, it was an historic day. To my surprise and delight, I woke-up yesterday morning to a phone call telling me that two passes had been organized for me to attend the conference. My ‘Visitor’ status was arranged for me by a contact within the party who I met during my speaking engagements in Derry in October. With less than two hours to get myself ready, I raced for my first cup of coffee for the day and ran out to catch a train.
Arriving at the Ard Fheis was like getting hit with a jolt of adrenaline. The first thing I noticed was the news crews, satellite trucks, cameras and press people that were gathered from all over Europe and the world. CNN, Sky News (England), the BBC, RTE, and virtually every major news group in the world - both broadcast and print journalism - were on-hand to document the historic day.
While there, I shook hands and talked briefly with most of the major party members that I’ve made contact with over the past year. I withheld my opinion on the topic of the day, stating simply that we (as Native people, AIM members and Leonard Peltier supporters), were there with them in support and solidarity as they prepared to make a very important decision that would directly affect the future for themselves, as well as the people on this island.
The audience was filled with over one-thousand members and supporters of the party. Many, many, many former political prisoners were in there in addition to Sinn Fein delegates and members from every pocket of the island of Ireland, north and south. Speakers outlined their positions, both for and against, with passion and vigour. It was exciting to be there. At times the speakers were down-right funny. Despite some tense moments, the feeling and atmosphere were light, but with an increased degree of closeness and cohesion. No matter what a person’s view or vote was, everyone walked out of there resolved to work together.
Ultimately, the motion was passed by ten-to-one to join the police forces of both parts of the country. To my surprise, former political prisoners were among some of the most supportive of the proposed amendment to party policy. Their logic was simply put. If Catholic/ Nationalists had been a part of the police for the past thirty years then most if not all of the injustices that have taken place in their communities would have been avoided. I suppose there’s some logic to that argument. However, hind-sight is tainted. Overall, the decision is to move forward and into the future building infrastructures that edge closer and closer towards the united socialist and democratic republic that Sinn Fein has pledged itself to creating.
Yesterdays Ard Fheis (ard- esh) was called together at short notice and is an addition to the regularly scheduled Ard Fheis which will take place in March. During the annual party conference in March, members and supporters of the party will be asked to vote on a variety of issues, including a proposal that has been made by Wendy Lyon, secretary of Sinn Fein Minister in the Dail, Caoimhgin O Caolain. Ms. Lyon was joined in making her proposal when similar propositions were made in Derry by Sinn Fein member Liam McConway, and in Belfast by Sinn Fein member and former prisoner Charlie McMennamin. The proposal in question, which will be voted on in March, reads as follows:
“This Ard Fheis sends solidarity greetings to the Native American people and supports them in their campaigns for:
1) The right of American Indian prisoners to practice their spirituality, unencumbered and unimpeded, on the same basis as all other prisoners;
2) The immediate and unconditional release of Leonard Peltier.”
I have been assured that the motion will be passed, and probably unanimously, due to the fact that Sinn Fein and members of the party have been and remain ardent supporters of Leonard Peltier and the larger issue of Native American sovereignty. I’ve been named as a guest and will be allowed to attend. Also, preparations are being made for me to be allowed to speak and address those assembled on behalf of the issue before they vote on the matter.
I’ve scheduled meetings with the intention of looking past the March conference and the official proclamation that we hope will come out of it. I want to discuss with party members how we can put support into action and make the proposal, should it be approved, count for something. Specifically, I am meeting on Tuesday with the secretary of Sinn Fein’s two Members of the European Parliament in order to discuss getting a renewed resolution in support of Leonard from the European Parliament. I have been told that such an action could be done, and Sinn Fein would be interested in assisting, but that it would take some time. Mainly, many members of the European Parliament will have to sign the bill in order to get it approved.
I believe that Leonard Peltier supporters internationally can help accomplish the latter. Now is not the time, but when the time arrives, letters to delegates from each country in the EU can be written urging delegates to support the bill. ( Please see Note:) The proposal first has to be submitted, which is what my meeting on Tuesday is designed to accomplish. Then, we can get a letter writing campaign going. Hopefully, all of us together will be able to accomplish a second formal letter of support being issued by the European Parliament calling for Leonard Peltier’s release. My goal, and one of the things I will stress on Tuesday and with all of the meetings that will come from it, is to see this happen before the 2008 parole hearing. Simply put; time is of the essence.
I will keep you all updated as often as I can as things develop. In the meantime, keep your pens on stand-by, but have them ready. Big things are in the works. Hopefully it will be enough to make a difference.
Yesterday on 28 January, 2007, Sinn Fein held a special Ard Fheis to discuss the issue of whether or not the party should enter into policing structures in the partitioned six counties in the north eastern part of the country (Northern Ireland) and into the police, or ‘Garda Siochana,’ of the Republic of Ireland. The meeting centred on a debate to end the 86 year opposition Sinn Fein has taken against police in both parts of the country. Needless to say, it was an historic day. To my surprise and delight, I woke-up yesterday morning to a phone call telling me that two passes had been organized for me to attend the conference. My ‘Visitor’ status was arranged for me by a contact within the party who I met during my speaking engagements in Derry in October. With less than two hours to get myself ready, I raced for my first cup of coffee for the day and ran out to catch a train.
Arriving at the Ard Fheis was like getting hit with a jolt of adrenaline. The first thing I noticed was the news crews, satellite trucks, cameras and press people that were gathered from all over Europe and the world. CNN, Sky News (England), the BBC, RTE, and virtually every major news group in the world - both broadcast and print journalism - were on-hand to document the historic day.
While there, I shook hands and talked briefly with most of the major party members that I’ve made contact with over the past year. I withheld my opinion on the topic of the day, stating simply that we (as Native people, AIM members and Leonard Peltier supporters), were there with them in support and solidarity as they prepared to make a very important decision that would directly affect the future for themselves, as well as the people on this island.
The audience was filled with over one-thousand members and supporters of the party. Many, many, many former political prisoners were in there in addition to Sinn Fein delegates and members from every pocket of the island of Ireland, north and south. Speakers outlined their positions, both for and against, with passion and vigour. It was exciting to be there. At times the speakers were down-right funny. Despite some tense moments, the feeling and atmosphere were light, but with an increased degree of closeness and cohesion. No matter what a person’s view or vote was, everyone walked out of there resolved to work together.
Ultimately, the motion was passed by ten-to-one to join the police forces of both parts of the country. To my surprise, former political prisoners were among some of the most supportive of the proposed amendment to party policy. Their logic was simply put. If Catholic/ Nationalists had been a part of the police for the past thirty years then most if not all of the injustices that have taken place in their communities would have been avoided. I suppose there’s some logic to that argument. However, hind-sight is tainted. Overall, the decision is to move forward and into the future building infrastructures that edge closer and closer towards the united socialist and democratic republic that Sinn Fein has pledged itself to creating.
Yesterdays Ard Fheis (ard- esh) was called together at short notice and is an addition to the regularly scheduled Ard Fheis which will take place in March. During the annual party conference in March, members and supporters of the party will be asked to vote on a variety of issues, including a proposal that has been made by Wendy Lyon, secretary of Sinn Fein Minister in the Dail, Caoimhgin O Caolain. Ms. Lyon was joined in making her proposal when similar propositions were made in Derry by Sinn Fein member Liam McConway, and in Belfast by Sinn Fein member and former prisoner Charlie McMennamin. The proposal in question, which will be voted on in March, reads as follows:
“This Ard Fheis sends solidarity greetings to the Native American people and supports them in their campaigns for:
1) The right of American Indian prisoners to practice their spirituality, unencumbered and unimpeded, on the same basis as all other prisoners;
2) The immediate and unconditional release of Leonard Peltier.”
I have been assured that the motion will be passed, and probably unanimously, due to the fact that Sinn Fein and members of the party have been and remain ardent supporters of Leonard Peltier and the larger issue of Native American sovereignty. I’ve been named as a guest and will be allowed to attend. Also, preparations are being made for me to be allowed to speak and address those assembled on behalf of the issue before they vote on the matter.
I’ve scheduled meetings with the intention of looking past the March conference and the official proclamation that we hope will come out of it. I want to discuss with party members how we can put support into action and make the proposal, should it be approved, count for something. Specifically, I am meeting on Tuesday with the secretary of Sinn Fein’s two Members of the European Parliament in order to discuss getting a renewed resolution in support of Leonard from the European Parliament. I have been told that such an action could be done, and Sinn Fein would be interested in assisting, but that it would take some time. Mainly, many members of the European Parliament will have to sign the bill in order to get it approved.
I believe that Leonard Peltier supporters internationally can help accomplish the latter. Now is not the time, but when the time arrives, letters to delegates from each country in the EU can be written urging delegates to support the bill. ( Please see Note:) The proposal first has to be submitted, which is what my meeting on Tuesday is designed to accomplish. Then, we can get a letter writing campaign going. Hopefully, all of us together will be able to accomplish a second formal letter of support being issued by the European Parliament calling for Leonard Peltier’s release. My goal, and one of the things I will stress on Tuesday and with all of the meetings that will come from it, is to see this happen before the 2008 parole hearing. Simply put; time is of the essence.
I will keep you all updated as often as I can as things develop. In the meantime, keep your pens on stand-by, but have them ready. Big things are in the works. Hopefully it will be enough to make a difference.
Please Click here for photographs :
http://www.leonardpeltier.net/worldevents/GerryAdams.htm
Aho/ Nea’esemen’o/ Go Raibh maith agut,
Dave Bailey (natsitsa@yahoo.com)
Leonard Peltier Defence Committee Representative
in Ireland and England
Note: The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee will be sending an annoucement regarding our letter writing campaign to the European Parliment. Please check back for future updates .
Thank you,
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
posted by Leonard @ 7:40 PM
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