Hibernian Hardliners
The Belfast Telegraph on March 21 headlined the story that British Secretary Hilary Benn had met with Irish Republican “hardliners” during his visit to Washington. The story was accompanied by a photo of the British official who presides over the six counties for Keir Starmer meeting an American delegation that included National AOH President Sean Pender and myself (wearing an Easter Lilly). While the ground rules of the meeting prevent me from quoting directly, Hibernians will have no doubt that we took a hard line in support of victims’ families fighting for legacy justice, challenging Benn to keep his pledge to repeal and replace the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) cover-up commission.
We were there because British officials recognize that the AOH is an influential voice in shaping Irish American opinion, and AOH “hardliners” on issues like Freedom for all Ireland must be heard.
Irish Government
During the first week in April, Hibernians were in Leinster House, meeting with key Irish representatives, including two party leaders and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. It was a crucial week as tariffs were being announced and a major dispute over opposition speaking rights dominated the parliamentary agenda. Yet these key officials made time to brief and get the views of the AOH because Irish America is important and the AOH is an important voice in Irish America.
Congressional Letter
At the same time as we were meeting in Leinster House, Hibernians were calling local Congressional offices and getting backing for a bipartisan Congressional letter in support of the Finucane family and justice for the murdered Civil Rights lawyer murdered by British state agents.
Christmas Appeal Grants
Hibernians also presented a record $150,000 in Freedom For All Ireland (FFAI) grants to 19 applicants, during a live webinar broadcast from the Houben Centre in Belfast. Each grant winner spoke about their work for Irish freedom and how much they count on AOH donations. The event is now posted on YouTube so it can be watched by any Hibernian who wants to see where our contributions go.
Among the recipients this year were the Ballymurphy Massacre Campaign, and Bloody Sunday Trust, whose respective half-century battles for justice have been an inspiration to victims’ relatives across the north. Others who were awarded grants because of their work in fighting for legacy truth were Relatives for Justice and the Witness Project. The EALU center was awarded a grant for its work with Republican ex-political prisoners in Tyrone.
A heritage grant was awarded to the St. Patrick Centre. Both Belfast National Graves and Tyrone National Graves were awarded grants for their work in honoring and caring for the graves of Irish patriots.
Joe Doherty, who spent years in a New York prison battling extradition, spoke on behalf of the Greater New Lodge Commemoration Committee.
The Bogside Artists and Martin McGuinness Foundation were among the Derry grant winners. Green Cross, Duchas-Oriall, Committee, Bridges Beyond Boxing, and the O’Neill-Allsopp Memorial Band were also grant recipients.
Among the first-time recipients were the Ardoyne Youth Club and Eileen Hickey Museum. A special contribution will be made to Ireland’s Future, which is holding a major event in Philadelphia in April.
Crucial Role
No Hibernian should underestimate the impact Hibernian hardliners have on Freedom for All Ireland. No Hibernian should overlook your crucial role in giving the AOH its strength. We can influence British and Irish officials, Congressmen and key groups doing vital work in Ireland only because we stand for members across 50 states, who work to support Freedom for All Ireland.