Irish America’s role in Irish Unity comes into focus
By Greg O’Loughlin
Executive Director
Friends of Sinn Féin
On Tuesday night in Cleveland, OH at a sold-out event, hundreds of members of the Irish-American community gathered to discuss their role in securing Irish unity. The meeting was addressed by Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes.
The event was designed to hear from members of the diaspora as part of the Commission on the Future of Ireland being undertaken by Friends of Sinn Féin USA and will inform the work of the party back in Ireland.
Speaking at the event in Cleveland the Newry and Armagh MP said, “Irish unity requires an Irish government to plan, prepare, and advocate for unity. That is what a Sinn Féin-led government in Dublin would do. An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, should stand up for Irish unity at home and in the White House.
“The Irish government needs to hear the voice of Irish America.
“To effectively prepare, the Irish government must establish a Citizens’ Assembly on Irish unity and use its resources to lay out a vision of a new and united Ireland.
“They also must work with the British government to set a timetable for referendums and a plan for an inclusive and respectful discussion on the future.
“The US was essential in reaching the Good Friday Agreement. It also acted to safeguard progress when the British government sought to impose a hard border across the island as part of Brexit.
“Since its signing, the US has acted as a strong guarantor of the agreement.
“The agreement provides for Irish unity referendums. If you support the Good Friday Agreement you support the democratic right of the people to have their say. It is now time for that right to be vindicated.
“The US should continue to act as a guarantor of the agreement, ensuring its full implementation, including unity referendums.”
In the coming weeks, Friends of Sinn Féin USA will be hosting ‘People’s Assembly: Diaspora’ events in Columbus, OH, Washington, DC, and Rockland, NY.
