Brothers, I would like to update you on an item from the last issue of Hibernian Digest. As you will recall Walmart was selling several shirts fostering negative stereotypes and promoting ignorant misrepresentations of Irish Americans. Among the items sold was a shirt “I May Not Be Irish, but I Can Drink Like One”, another “Blame the Irish for My Behavior” and finally what has to be the hands down winner in the questionable judgment/bad taste award the shamrock festooned “Irish I Could Drink” Maternity top. We had sent a letter on February 24th and were acknowledge with a case number that … [Read more...] about Give Walmart Your "Input" as Regards Merchandise Defaming Irish Americans
Call to Action
Press Release From the Anti-Defamation Chair Concerning the Sale by Walmart of Defaming Merchandise Targeting Irish Americans
The Ancient Order of Hibernians calls on national retailer Walmart to immediately cease the sale of defaming merchandise targeting Irish Americans. Among items being sold are T-Shirts with such phrases as “I may not be Irish, but I Can Drink like One” and “Blame the Irish for My Behavior”. These items are an outrage to those whose Irish Heritage traces to hard working Irish immigrants, not to a beer bottle, and seek in March, which is Irish American Heritage Month, to see their culture celebrated, not used as an excuse for aberrant behavior. Per AOH National Anti-Defamation Chairman Neil … [Read more...] about Press Release From the Anti-Defamation Chair Concerning the Sale by Walmart of Defaming Merchandise Targeting Irish Americans
Anti-Def: Bed Bath and Beyond (a win in defense of our heritage!)
The AOH’s actions in protest to the denigrating merchandise being sold by Bed, Bath & Beyond’s Christmas Tree Shops division were subsequently reported in Irish Central and the Irish Voice; bringing our commitment to defend our heritage to the attention of the broader Irish and Irish American community. This evening we received a message from Bed, Bath and Beyond stating they are removing the offensive items from their shelves and will sensitize their buyers as regard items which are defaming and promote negative stereotypes against Irish Americans. Brothers, this is a step in the … [Read more...] about Anti-Def: Bed Bath and Beyond (a win in defense of our heritage!)
Anti-Def: Bed Bath and Beyond
The first signs of spring and the forthcoming St. Patrick’s Day season have been spotted; the sale of merchandise defaming our proud heritage as Irish Americans has begun. Several items denigrating Irish Americans and the feast of our Patron Saint were recently seen at a Christmas Tree Shop, which is a subdivision of major retailer Bed, Bath & Beyond. Among them were a four leaf clover festooned beer glass with the phrase “I’ll be Irish in a few Beers”, a set of green suspenders with two shot glasses attached and the phrase “Irish for the Day” and the most egregious of all a “St. … [Read more...] about Anti-Def: Bed Bath and Beyond
Immigration Alert
Now is the time to pass just and compassionate immigration reform Take Action! Send this electronic postcard to your U.S. Representatives and Senators asking that they pass just and compassionate immigration reform legislation in the 113th Congress. Simply click on the postcard below or the “Take Action” link on the right to send the postcard. Go to www.justiceforimmigrants.org for more information. After you have sent the postcard to your Washington, DC lawmakers, forward this message to your email contacts throughout the country and urge them to send the e-card to their U.S. Senators … [Read more...] about Immigration Alert
Ancient Order of Hibernians Revisit An Gorta Mor Awards
An Gorta Mor Award APPLICATION Hibernian Hunger Project of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Funded Through the Hibernian Charity Description of Award “The An Gorta Mor Awards were created by The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America’s Hibernian Charity to honor the people of Ireland who survived the Great Hunger and initiated the Irish Diaspora, those who were forced to flee Ireland, in our case to North America, to survive the starvation and disease. It is our belief that no other people on earth have more awareness or empathy for those in need than the Irish and the foundation of the … [Read more...] about Ancient Order of Hibernians Revisit An Gorta Mor Awards
Immigration Reform
Your help on Comprehensive Immigration Reform is still needed. Sincere thanks to the many Hibernian Brothers and Sisters who have already made calls to their Congressional Representatives on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. If you have yet to make the call, here are the simple, yet important, steps: 1) Please call your member of the House of Representatives today. The number for the Congressional Switchboard is (202) 224-3121. 2) Give your zip code when requested and ask to speak to your Congressman’s Office. 3) When directed to that Office, ask to speak to the Legislation Officer … [Read more...] about Immigration Reform
Letter to Mayor Bloomberg Regarding Kevin Bell
June 20, 2013 The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor, City of New York City Hall New York, NY 10007 Dear Mayor Bloomberg: As the National Anti-Defamation Chairman of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the oldest and largest Irish American Catholic Organization in America, I am writing to you regarding the tragic and reprehensible event that occurred on 16 June in the Bronx. As I hope you are by now aware, on that date a young Irish immigrant, Kevin Bell, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run motorist. The loss of anyone so young, especially by all accounts a … [Read more...] about Letter to Mayor Bloomberg Regarding Kevin Bell
A Letter from the Anti-Defamation Chair regarding comments made by Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee
OSU prez jabs Notre Dame, Catholics May 31, 2013 Governor John R. Kasich Riffe Center, 30th Floor 77 South High Street Columbus, OH 43215-6117 Governor Kasich: I am writing to you as the national Anti-Defamation Chairman of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, at 35,000 members the largest and oldest Irish Catholic Organization in America, regarding the recent comments by President E. Gordon Gee of Ohio State University. As you are no doubt aware, President Gee made comments at the school’s athletic council concerning negotiations that he had with the University of Notre Dame … [Read more...] about A Letter from the Anti-Defamation Chair regarding comments made by Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee
AOH Protests Spencer's
by Neil Cosgrove New York News | NYC Breaking News I regret to say that once again our proud and noble heritage is under attack by the forces of ignorance, prejudice and corporations that will peddle anything for a dollar. Once again Spencer’s, Urban Outfitters and Wal-Mart are selling shirts and novelties that seem to have sprung from the 19th Century pen of bigoted nativist cartoonist Thomas Nast. Among some of the items on offer this year: A hat with “Irish Girl Wasted” (Spencer’s) A green shamrock emblazoned shirt with “Everyone Loves a Drunk Slut” (Spencer’s) A shirt with … [Read more...] about AOH Protests Spencer's
AOH Immigration Reform
On Sunday, March 3, 2013 Bronx County Division 5 Woodlawn, honored Retired Judge John P. Collins, Bronx Division 3 President Bob Nolan and my wife, Siobhan Dennehy, AOH JFK Medal awardee & Executive Director Emerald Isle Immigration Center. Division 5, a newly reorganized Division has a long history of leadership on Immigration reform and leadership. Along with his fellow honorees Judge Collins spoke to a capacity audience of clergy leaders, NYC elected officials, United Irish County Assn and AOH and LAOH National, State, County leaders. Judge Collins, now retired, is a lifelong Bronx … [Read more...] about AOH Immigration Reform
A Call to Action to have the Smithsonian to Recognize Irish American Heritage Month
The AOH continues to work to have Irish American Heritage Month recognized and commemorated by our public institutions with the same level of commitment as they recognize other heritages. In particular, the Smithsonian Institute, which claims to be America’s leading educational institution, honors with extensive programs Black History Month, Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and American Indian Heritage Month but continues to ignore Irish American Heritage Month. We have tried to engage the administration of the Smithsonian several times, and have met with what … [Read more...] about A Call to Action to have the Smithsonian to Recognize Irish American Heritage Month
Consider a Day of Action
By Neil Cosgrove As I write this with the threat of a snow storm hitting the New York area, I must report that the first sign of Spring has been cited. It is not the first robin or the crocuses sprouting, but the sighting of the first defaming “St. Paddy’s Day” [sic] shirts at the local mall. From all reports this years’ crop looks to plum new lows. Among the shirts spotted were: ”Want to Get Lucky With an Irish Girl?”, “ Irish Food Stamps” (depicting chits with beer mugs on them) and “Did you hear the one about an Irishman who left a bar?...Nah, me neither”. Of course there were also the … [Read more...] about Consider a Day of Action
AOH Storm Relief Fund
Many parts of the Northeast have been devastated. Hurricane Sandy has left us with unimaginable misery in terms of destruction, dislocation, and despair. Areas with extremely high concentrations of Hibernians truly resemble war zones where dark and heatless homes faced this frigid morning with temperatures averaging 25 degrees. I realize you have seen the tremendous loss on TV. A neighbor of mine told me that when a newscaster showed people burning their own furniture to stay warm, he had to stop looking at the evening news. But we, as Hibernians, cherish an Irish Catholic legacy that … [Read more...] about AOH Storm Relief Fund
March For Life – January 25, 2013
Hibernians Respect Life! Come Stand up for LIFE and march with your Hibernian Brothers, Sisters and Friends The March for Life Washington D.C. Friday, January 25, 2013 http://www.marchforlife.org/ Breakfast at the Irish Channel 9:00am $25 500 H Street Northwest, Washington, DC, (202) 216‐0046 Special AOH rate at the Fairfield Inn and Suites $179 500 H Street Northwest, Washington, DC (202) 289‐5959 Click Here To Download Flyer … [Read more...] about March For Life – January 25, 2013
Letter to USA Today from Anti-Defamation Chair
The below letter is from Anti-Defamation Chair Neil Cosgrove to the publisher of USA Today concerning the coverage of Katie Taylor's Gold Medal win at the Olympics. This letter was written before she won the Gold. Mr. Larry Kramer , President and Publisher USA TODAY Headquarters 7950 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22108 Phone: 703-854-3400 Fax: 703-854-2049 Dear Mr. Kramer: The Irish people and Irish Americans are cheering and taking rightful pride in the accomplishments of Olympian Katie Taylor. As a woman boxer, she is defying conventional perception of what a woman may … [Read more...] about Letter to USA Today from Anti-Defamation Chair
Letter from President Seamus Boyle to the President of Urban Outfitters
Brothers and sisters, I know many of you have seen this over the past few days. It has really gotten to the point where Urban Outfitters has been getting the heat from the Irish Community and the Irish News Media both here and in Ireland. We need to get this defamation stopped immediately. Please call, email or demonstrate in front of their stores. I have written to the CEO, sent him an email and sent an email to their customer service dept in SC. Here is all the information I have Please distribute it and use it so we can get what I asked for in my letter: Remove all the offending material … [Read more...] about Letter from President Seamus Boyle to the President of Urban Outfitters