11 December 1997 Edition
Re-conquer Ireland - Adams
By Donal Cusack
``Take ownership of the struggle - the future is too important to be left to politicians,'' was the message from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, addressing a crowd of over 3,000 people at the site of the Volunteer ambush which helped to change the course of the Black and Tan war at Kilmichael, West Cork, on Sunday 7 December.
Speaking on the 77th anniversary of the day when 46 IRA Volunteers fought head to head with the elite of the British army in ``grim and silent determination'', Gerry Adams reminded the large gathering at the cold and windswept Kilmichael monument that it was the ordinary people of Cork, the labourers, the shopkeepers and the small farmers who defeated the forces of the crown, and that the ordinary people of this small island have a vital role to play in shaping its long-term future.
Referring to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921 as having left ``a legacy of unfinished business'', Mr Adams remarked that addressing that legacy was ``a shared responsibility'', which should involve all the people of this island, that it was not up to the Sinn Féin leadership alone to persuade Tony Blair that a British withdrawal from our country would be in the best interests of all the people of both Britain and Ireland.
Calling for a ``re-conquest of Ireland by all the people of Ireland'', the Sinn Féin President stated that any future settlement must have ``a foundation of equality'', and that the nationalist people of the Six counties would never again accept the status of 2nd class citizens.
Referring to his forthcoming visit to 10 Downing Street, with Martin McGuinness, Mr Adams declared that everything would be on the tale for discussion, including the Act of Union, the Government of Ireland Act. Urging those present and beyond to become in involved in the Saoirse campaign, he stated that the issue of political prisoners would be a priority for the Sinn Féin delegation.
Concluding his address, Mr Adams quoted Bobby Sands on how Republicans should look to the future. While he had ample reason to be bitter and resentful from his cell in Long Kesh, having endured the degrading and inhuman treatment which is still inflicted on republican prisoners today. Bobby Sands said ``Let our revenge be the laughter of our children''.
``Take ownership of the struggle - the future is too important to be left to politicians,'' was the message from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, addressing a crowd of over 3,000 people at the site of the Volunteer ambush which helped to change the course of the Black and Tan war at Kilmichael, West Cork, on Sunday 7 December.
Speaking on the 77th anniversary of the day when 46 IRA Volunteers fought head to head with the elite of the British army in ``grim and silent determination'', Gerry Adams reminded the large gathering at the cold and windswept Kilmichael monument that it was the ordinary people of Cork, the labourers, the shopkeepers and the small farmers who defeated the forces of the crown, and that the ordinary people of this small island have a vital role to play in shaping its long-term future.
Referring to the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921 as having left ``a legacy of unfinished business'', Mr Adams remarked that addressing that legacy was ``a shared responsibility'', which should involve all the people of this island, that it was not up to the Sinn Féin leadership alone to persuade Tony Blair that a British withdrawal from our country would be in the best interests of all the people of both Britain and Ireland.
Calling for a ``re-conquest of Ireland by all the people of Ireland'', the Sinn Féin President stated that any future settlement must have ``a foundation of equality'', and that the nationalist people of the Six counties would never again accept the status of 2nd class citizens.
Referring to his forthcoming visit to 10 Downing Street, with Martin McGuinness, Mr Adams declared that everything would be on the tale for discussion, including the Act of Union, the Government of Ireland Act. Urging those present and beyond to become in involved in the Saoirse campaign, he stated that the issue of political prisoners would be a priority for the Sinn Féin delegation.
Concluding his address, Mr Adams quoted Bobby Sands on how Republicans should look to the future. While he had ample reason to be bitter and resentful from his cell in Long Kesh, having endured the degrading and inhuman treatment which is still inflicted on republican prisoners today. Bobby Sands said ``Let our revenge be the laughter of our children''.