No Orange Rule

A Chairde,

Those people on the left who say that Orange lodges are religious clubs and should be allowed to march through nationalist areas, should read Collins English dictionary: ``Orange Lodges, founded as a secret order in Ireland to uphold the protestant religion, the protestant dynasty and protestant supremacy against Irish nationalists and Roman Catholics''.

This sums up the Orange Order, sheer bloody minded triumphalism; if the big drum does not frighten the nationalists, the British army and the RUC will move in to enforce the Orange will on the unlucky residents of the Catholic ghettoes. Times have changed since the Orange Order was founded in 1795. `The croppies are off their knees' and are fighting back, so the British state, its media and the Irish government have to portray the nationalists as terrorists whose only wish is to kill and maim. Defending one's home and community is a crime if you are a nationalist, or anyone who suggests that nationalists are entitled to protection against the British state or the Orange Order.

Socialist and other progressive people desire peace in Ireland and Britain, but we do not seek peace at `any price', a shameful peace will only delay the next uprising. We demand a just, and lasting peace, this will only come when the British state accepts that the Irish people as a WHOLE are entitled to self determination and social justice, repeals the Government of Ireland Act, frees all Irish political prisoners, repeals the PTA, disbands and disarms, the RUC-RIR, takes ALL British troops out of north east Ireland, recognises articles 2 and 3 of the Irish constitution and gives a commitment to withdraw unconditionally from Ireland. Until this comes about no-one, in Britain or Ireland, can talk of a `lasting' peace, a just and lasting, peace. And no one, especially any one on the left, can berate the IRA for continuing the armed struggle against British imperialism and refusing to surrender to Orange dictates.

William Benton,
Birmingham.

Croppies Acre

A Chairde,

As you are all aware, Philistine bureaucrats in the National Museum are intending to destroy the Croppies Acre site to make way for a bus park. The incongruity and hypocrisy of those responsible who claim to be safeguarding our heritage while contemplating such an odious aberration is overwhelming.

Republicans have always maintained a diligent interest in the upkeep of our heritage and all those interested in doing so again can be assured of a warm welcome at the Teachers Club in Parnell Square, Dublin on Saturday 16 August at 2.30pm.

One wonders if plans were made to destroy King William's chair in Dublin Castle, what reaction we could receive from Shoneen Bruton and his jellybacked blueshirts.

Thus it is vital to prevent the Cruise-O'Brien freakshow from winning the next round!

Dara Ui Coigligh
Campaign Against Desecration of Croppies Acre

Glasgow commemoration arrests

A chairde,

At the Kieran Doherty Commemoration in Glasgow's Calton District on Friday evening 18 July, six bands of the West of Scotland Band Alliance were targeted by the police. Forty bandspeople, stewards and supporters were arrested without just cause, which has led the WOSBA to believe they have been targeted by the authorities to try and put them off the roads for good.

People were arrested even for speaking up for others who were being arrested. An 18 year old pregnant woman who asked why her 14 year old cousin was being arrested was punched by a policeman. Others were assaulted and sat on in the police van. When the march organisers tried to get their complaints heard by the officer in charge, Inspector Patrick Ferguson, he would only say he had no-one to answer to.

Those arrested were held until Tuesday 22 July due to public holidays.

Band members were questioned by Special Branch, claiming they were Glasgow CID, about their forthcoming trip to Ireland to take part in the internment rally. They were asked if they had enough money to go, who they would stay with, who were their friends in the band, who were their leaders in Glasgow, etc.

Certain courses of action are being taken to stop this happening again. The WOSBA is holding a commemoration on 31 September at 11.30am, in Glasgow's Parkhead district, in memory of Tom Williams. The commemoration will be led by the Tom Williams band and five republican flute bands.

Anyone arrested at the 18 July commemoration should contact WOSBA (c/o An Phoblacht or local bandspeople) urgently.

Joseph Pearse
Chief Steward/PRO
WOSBA

Rás Urraithe na gCimí

A Chairde,

Bhéinn an-bhuíoch díot dá dtiocfadh leat spás a thabhairt dúinn le eolas a thabhairt do bhur leitheoirí faoi imeacht airithe atá reachtailte ag na cimí poblachtánacha in Éirinn agus thar sáile. Mar is gnáth, beidh an Rás Urraithe bliantúil ag tarlú ar an 9ú lá de Mhí Lúnasa le airgead a shaorú ar son na nGaelscoileanna. Beidh Foirmeacha urraíochta ag dul timpeall sna ceantair aitiúla ar fud an Tuaiscirt agus bheadh muid an-bhuíoch as bhur dtacaíocht, Rachaidh airgead ar bith a bhaileofar go dtí oideachas fríd mheán na Gaeilge. Mura bhfeiceann tú foirm urraíochta ag dul timpeall i do cheantar is féidir deontas a chur go díreach chuig `Rás Urraithe' F/ch Roinn na gCimí Cogaidh, 5 Sráid Conway, Belfast nó Marcus Mac Ruairí, Ionad Shinn Féin, 17 Circular Road, Castlewellan, Co. An Dún. Ar an taobh eile is féidir leat deontas a chur go díreach chuig do Ghaelscoil áitiúil más fearr leat. Cibé ar bith, tá súil againn go mbeidh tú sásta a thacú leis an iarracht seo.

Feilim O hAdhmaill
Gaeltacht na Fuiseoige
An Cheis Fhada

A Chairde,

I'd appreciate space in your columns to inform your readers about a particular event being organised by republican POWs here in Ireland and overseas. The annual Sponsored Fun Run will take place as usual in the various jails on Saturday 9 August to help raise funds for Irish Language schools and nurseries. Sponsorship forms will be circulating in local areas throughout the North and we would greatly appreciate your support. All money raised will go towards Irish language education. If you are unable to find a sponsorship form you might consider simply sending a donation in support of this event direct to `Sponsored Fun Run' POW Dept, 5 Conway Street, Belfast or to Marcus Mac Ruairí, The Sinn Féin Centre, 17 Circular Road, Castlewellan, Co Down. On the other hand, if you prefer, you might consider simply sending a donation directly to your local Irish school. In any event, we hope for your support for this effort.

Feilim O hAdhmaill
Gaeltacht na Fuiseoige
An Cheis Fhada