A Letter from Ireland
a Chara,
It is a simple enough question: what have the last couple of weeks been about? The British have now moved to ban the march along the Garvaghy Road. The status quo that has delivered peace for that community for twenty-eight years has been reinstated. The motion from Unionist political parties to expel Sinn Féin ministers from the Government in the North failed.
Court cases continue, as does a demand from Unionist leaders for Sinn Féin members to be arrested for protesting a decision by the Parades Commission that the British Secretary of State subsequently overturned.
The community and their supporters across Ireland expended energy in defending their right to live in peace. Irish American and Canadian organisations and political and labor leaders sided with the rights of the residents and demanded that the British act.
The philosopher Kierkegaard said, “life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Looking back at these events, this was an attempt by a minority in Unionism that was determined to deny the present and turn back the clock.
For decades, pro-British political Unionism could impose their will on the Irish minority. They controlled a parliament that served their and only their interests. They could rely on the old police force, the RUC, to baton protestors off the streets and make way for the Orange Order’s demands. This period was known as the Orange State, sustained by gerrymandering, repression, silencing internal dissent, and discrimination.
Today that majority is gone, and that was demonstrated again on the floor of the Assembly this week in their failed attempt to bar Sinn Féin ministers. Within the Unionist community, some showed their dissent from the Orange Order’s call to action through public challenge, while others chose private silence. Like their Nationalist neighbours, they did not want to go back.
Political Unionism always looks back at a past that is gone, denies the present, and refuses to face the future. They use the Assembly to frustrate and stall progress, even when the needs of their community and public services become collateral damage and institutions are undermined. Some call on Unionist leaders to crash the institutions rather than share power with Sinn Féin.
Irish Republicans and Nationalists know well the Assembly’s limitations: Unionist tactics and a budget and powers limited by a British Parliament in Westminster. Day and daily Sinn Féin ministers and elected representatives act in the best interests of their electorate and all the people in the North. The alternative is British Government ministers making decisions for the people. Irish Republicans cannot relinquish any power to British Ministers. We aim to end their role in Ireland.
The Assembly in the North is not and never will be the limit of our ambition. We seek a united Ireland with an All-Ireland parliament. More and more people see this as the alternative to the dysfunction of Stormont. We are working in the here and now, delivering change on the ground and building a majority for Irish Unity north and south.
The course of progress is neither smooth nor linear. At times it seems that we take two steps forward and one step back. Challenges and detours will come along the way.
The actions of a unionist minority were an attempt to drag us back. It has failed. Their attempt was rejected by the vast majority of people—no doubt they will try again. We will meet them with the same resolute action, for we are living our lives going forward.
Have a great weekend,
