With the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement approaching, Irish America must play a critical role aimed at securing a border poll that could unite Ireland.
Ireland’s Future Chairperson Senator Frances Black, together with board members Professor Colin Harvey and Andree Murphy will make this appeal to Irish Americans in a live webinar broadcast headed "Ireland's Future-Irish America's Role," and hosted by the Ancient Order of Hibernians on Sunday, January 22 at 1 p.m. Eastern time, 6 p.m. Irish time.
According to a release from organizers, the program has been expanded to include analysis of the announcement by the British government that it will move its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill to parliamentary committee on January 24th, and new loyalist threats against Professor Harvey.
Stated the release: "Twenty-five years after the Good Friday agreement there is growing support for Irish reunification, to be achieved by majority vote in separate north-south referendums. However no British Secretary will outline the criteria for ever allowing a border poll. There are also what Ireland’s Future describes as 'attempts to smuggle a unionist veto into the process, or give unionism multiple opportunities to block change.'"
In a statement underlining the importance of Irish America and of the upcoming webinar, Ireland's Future Chief Executive Officer Gerry Carlisle said: "The role of Irish America and the American administration more broadly should not be understated. As guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, America has been a crucial part of the peace process over many years.
"As the island of Ireland transitions and the consequences of Brexit are dealt with, it is imperative that America once again assists Ireland and its people on the next stage of the journey. For those who wish to see Irish unity, one of the most important parts of the Good Friday Agreement was the part that stated a referendum on Irish unity would be granted.
"It is vital that democracy is seen to be done and America can assist democracy in Ireland by encouraging the British Government to work closely with the Irish Government in planning and preparing for a referendum in the years towards the end of this decade.
According to the webinar organizers, webinar speaker Senator Frances Black, chairperson of Ireland’s Future, will report on what has been achieved at major conferences in Dublin and Belfast, but also on why Irish America must now play a crucial role.
Professor Colin Harvey of Queen’s University will describe why he supports Ireland’s Future, despite being subject to ongoing loyalist threats and intimidation.
Andree Murphy, a journalist and political commentator, will discuss the implications of the announcement by the British government that it will move ahead with "heartbreaking" amnesty proposals on January 24 and how the issue of legacy justice can be achieved as part of the movement to a United Ireland.
The webinar Zoom link is https://aoh.com/WebinarRegistration or https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ukxz_1MUQgWcAd4qDnNQRQ
YouTube links are https://www.aoh.com/IrelandsFutureAmericasRole or https://youtu.be/sdwk7KGkaUo
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