RSF Defends Dr Jeanette Findlay -- Stormont Watch

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Date Posted: Tue, Nov 27 2007, 20:43:32 PST
Author: Sinn F�in Poblachtach - Cork
Subject: RSF Defends Dr Jeanette Findlay

RSF Defends Dr Jeanette Findlay

26 Samhain/November 2007

The chorus of denunciation by the unionist media against University of Glasgow lecturer Dr Jeanette Findlay for defending the right of Celtic fans to sing songs in support of the centuries old struggle of the Irish People against English colonial rule, is as sad as it is predictable.

Our songs of freedom carry a message not of bigotry or hate, but of survival, of a fight for freedom against tyranny and genocide and against bigoted legislators and despotic governments. This latest attack on our songs is morally wrong and is really just a cosmetic exercise to appease the bigots in Scottish society who would prefer that the Irish community in Scotland did not exist at all.

We trust that these same detractors would not wish to suggest that it is bigoted to sing songs like Flower of Scotland, Scots Wha Hae or the many other patriotic songs that depict the heroic struggles of Wallace and Bruce against English colonial oppression. Are these not �rebel� songs as well? Or are they only offensive when they are Irish?

Dr Jeanette Findlay was making her comments in her capacity as Celtic Trust chairperson in the context of the opposition of fans to former British defence secretary John Reid becoming Celtic chairman. It should be remembered that polls indicate the majority of Scots believe the British invasion of Iraq and the ongoing occupation of that country to be illegal and immoral. Consequently a significant section of Celtic fans do not believe that the decision to appoint Reid is in keeping with the ethos and traditions of the club.

Republican Sinn Fein fully endorses the legitimate sentiments expressed by Dr Findlay and defends the right of Celtic fans and the Irish community as the largest minority ethnic group in Scotland, to express itself culturally which includes the right to sing our songs of freedom. Therefore whilst we applaud all genuine initiatives aimed at tackling the scourge of religious sectarianism in Scottish society, we reject those forces that would seek to engage in anti Irish racism under the guise of opposing bigotry.

Sinn Fein Poblachtach

Also see http://www.rsfcork.com or http://saoirse.21.forumer.com

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