“The mood in Downing Street is one of grief and sorrow tonight”.
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has blamed loyalist paramilitaries for the racist disorder on the streets of Belfast last week.
WEST Belfast woman Maria Morgan is running for election to become the new general secretary of NIPSA. Currently deputy general secretary of the trade union Maria is standing on a ticket fighting for better pay, mileage, job security, pensions and early retirement and flexible and hybrid working conditions. Speaking to the Andersonstown News at a protest outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in support of work colleagues who bore the brunt of last week’s race attacks in the city, she said she wanted to build on the work of the current general secretary who is retiring. “I think my experience will help me build on the tremendous work that Carmel Gates has created for the union over the past five years,” said Maria. “We have grown in number to become the biggest trade union in Northern Ireland and I think my experience and standing across the movement will allow me to run as the NIPSA general secretary and to lead the largest trade union in Northern Ireland. “What we are asking members to do is to look out for your ballot paper, fill it in and put an X against my name and I would be very grateful. I believe I am the best candidate to lead the union and I want to bring the union forward. I want to be a voice across the movement for migrant workers and ethnic communities. “We’re not just a union that talks about people in work, we are a voice for people outside of work as well to ensure that everyone feels embraced in our communities." The election for the NIPSA General Secretary started on 5 June and closes on 26 June.
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has said that necessary measures must be taken to protect young people from harm online.
THE community sector in West Belfast and beyond came together in a defiant act of solidarity with ethnic minority families across the city subject to intimidation from racist thugs this week.
NIPSA members have held a protest outside the Royal Victoria Hospital in support of ethnic minority communities who have borne the brunt of racists attacks across the city in recent days.
THE community in Ardoyne rallied around ethnic minority families on Wednesday after they were threatened by masked men and told them to leave the area.
WEST Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll has condemned the racist violence that took place in various part of Belfast last night.
BALLYMURPHY councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly has been officially unveiled as the new Lord Mayor of Belfast.
BELFAST'S new Lord Mayor has called on everyone to come together this summer and put on the best of our city as it prepares to welcome visitors for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
SINN Féin will host a major discussion event in North Belfast on Thursday examining the vision for a “progressive and equal new Ireland”.
WEST Belfast MP Paul Maskey has welcomed the submission of the Good Jobs Bill to the Executive by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald.
TAOISEACH Micheal Martin has called on the British government to apologise for the Springhill Massacre.
THE Ancient Order of Hibernians has been playing a leading role throughout the US in recent years holding the British government to account. When it comes to legacy, a border poll and Brexit, the AOH has played a pivotal role lobbying the main players in Washington and advising members of Congress on Capitol Hill. The National President of the AOH, Sean Pender, was back in Ireland last week and spent a number of days in Belfast. With a father from County Carlow and a mother from County Kerry, he has been a regular visitor to Belfast over the past quarter of a century, since he first met Clara Reilly and Mark Thompson in the Relatives for Justice office on the Falls ROad. It was around the same time as the Holy Cross dispute when loyalists tried to prevent schoolgirls from going to school in Ardoyne over a gruelling four-month period. He said Clara Reilly is still his hero and admits that those early visits to Belfast left a deep and lasting impression on him. Growing up in New Jersey, Sean joined the Hibernian in 1981, having always had an interest in Irish history. Today the Hibernians are active across the States on many issues. “Constitutionally we cannot endorse or person party or a candidate,” he said. “So therefore, when we go to a Republican or a Democrat we're speaking to an issue. That's it. And I think what that’s done over the years has given us credibility, and it also has made us an honest broker.” One of those issues that the AOH is concerned with the current immigration policy which is best illustrated by the actions of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “We [the Irish] were the immigrants who spoke a different language, worshipped a different God. We were called, you know, apes, drunks and everything like that. And we got to make sure that doesn't happen to anybody, anybody else. So the current climate that's going on in our country and everywhere, I try to remember our people. That's not who the Irish are. You know, the Irish have been treated with oppression, aggression, discrimination, but we got to make sure it doesn't happen to other people. So we're very involved, like I said, with looking for a fair, equitable immigration policy, looking to a peace, justice and unity in Ireland.” In recent years the AOH has lobbied and met with members of Congress to help ensure that there would be no hard border in Ireland as a result of Brexit. It has led the campaign in Washington against the British government’s legacy plans and successfully pressed the Irish government to take an inter-state legal case against the British government over its controversial Troubles Legacy Act. Its strong connections with victims’ families back in Ireland, while also bringing those families out to the US means it is a trusted voice in the States on the legacy issue. “Irish America helped bring the peace to this island,” says Sean. “And we are the largest [Irish-American] group there. We're not taking credit for that, but we have the cohesiveness with members in every state. We're able to reach out and say, let's reach out to our elected officials here. We’re proud of the other work we did. I think it came about because we need to finally finish the job. We see what was coming over here. We see with the whole legacy, thing, which has been heart-breaking.” Sean said that after the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016 there was a fear among the AOH that it would be used as an excuse by the British to put a hard border up in Ireland.
A WEST Belfast MLA has praised a local youth training service following a visit this week. During the visit, the MLA and Councillor Claire Canavan met with staff and youngparticipants at Workforce Training Services to hear first-hand about the impact of programmes designed to equip the next generation with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s jobmarket. “Young people in West Belfast have huge potential, and it’s essential that we providethem with the right opportunities to develop skills and access meaningfulemployment," said Mr Sheehan. "Workforce Training Services is playing a crucial role in helping young people build confidence, gain qualifications, and take real steps towards their future careers.” After the visit Councillor Canavan added: “It was fantastic to meet so many young people who are determined to improve their prospects, gain skills and make a positive contribution to our community. Programmes like these not only support individuals but strengthen our local economy by investing in the incredible talent our young people have to offer.” Both politicians said the visit also highlighted the need for continued investment in youth-focused training and employment pathways, ensuring that nobody is left behind due to a lack of opportunities.