The city of Portland, Oregon celebrated has issued a proclamation recognizing Ireland as an ancient and distinct nation, and calling for the Irish and British governments to undertake a referendum on reunification of the entire Island of Ireland, pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement.
Declaring that "it is for the people of Ireland alone, without external impediment, to exercise their right to self-determination and to bring about a united Ireland if that is their wish," the proclamation noted that the Good Friday Agreement includes provisions for achieving a united Ireland through democratic and peaceful means.
Portland's Ancient Order of Hibernians members played a pivotal role in the proclamation's recent adoption.
The proclamation additionally emphasizes the great contribution of Irish immigrants to Portland, the State of Oregon and the United States.
Portland has now joined a growing list of U.S. cities, counties, states and prominent organizations calling for Irish reunification by democratic, electoral means, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement.
Such resolutions have been adopted by Boston, the New Jersey General Assembly, the Massachusetts State Senate, Lawrence, Massachusetts, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Cleveland, Rockland County, N.Y., The California Democratic Party, The San Francisco Labor Council, and the group, Veterans for Peace.
The campaign for Irish reunification has also expanded into Canada. According to supporters of the campaign, many prominent Canadians, including senior politicians from a broad political spectrum and the former Solicitor General of Canada have signed the Irish Unity Pledge, adding to the momentum generated by U.S. efforts.
"Ireland's story did not end with the Good Friday Peace Agreement," said David O'Longaigh, of Portland's Ancient Order of Hibernians in a statement.
"It's still being written, and each of these resolutions take us closer to the final chapter, a United Ireland," he said.
In adopting its own resolution, Lawrence took a leaf from its own history. In 1919, the Lawrence City Council became the first legislative body in the United States to recognize the New Republic of Ireland.
