National Organiser
Ógra Shinn Féin
The refusal by the Equality Commission to grant the Easter Lily the proper recognition ensuring that it can be worn without discrimination in the workplace, at school and college is an outrage, and has caused major upset, hurt and anger to many Irish Republicans.
The Easter Lily which is worn by Irish Republicans throughout the Easter period is a symbol of remembrance for Ireland’s patriot dead and all Easter Lily collections are used for the upkeep and maintenance of Republican graves and monuments.
Is the Equality Commission by their refusal to grant equal status to the Easter Lily insinuating that Ireland’s patriot dead are less important, and do not deserve to be remembered publicly?
This is a complete farce in this day and age, when Irish Republican’s hold key ministerial roles in the Assembly, that the Easter Lily be refused its proper status.
Irish republicans have promoted this important symbol since its inception in 1925, and despite difficult and repressive circumstances throughout the century, have continued to ensure that annually thousands wear the Easter Lily in proud remembrance of all those who died fighting for Ireland’s freedom.
Again this Easter, Republicans throughout Ireland promoted the Easter Lily, and Ógra Shinn Féin in particular encouraged young people to wear it in schools and universities.
The current status which the Equality Commission has granted the Easter Lily is disgraceful, and has demonstrated an inequality in our society that will be challenged and put right.
Ógra Shinn Féin have campaigned on this issue in the past number of years, and we will step up the campaign in the time ahead to ensure that next Easter, the Easter Lily and what it represents is afforded true equality and that we have as much right to remember our dead, publicly and proudly like anyone else.
This issue won’t go away, until the Equality Commission get with the times, and realise that we no longer live in an Orange state.
That was smashed and so will this crazy decision.
5 comments:
Excellent article. The Easter Lilly deserves to be afforded at least equal status to the "conflict emblem" known as the "Poppie", which has no place in Ireland.
The Easter Lily should be worn proudly in every public place.
This madness will be overturned, but only if OSF put in the graft.
Good campaign and adh mor.
J
Can we play our part in this campaign by a letter writing campaign or petition? Is there an address where we can send letters?
I'm glad that issue is being raised and Im not having a dig at Ógra in general as they are involved in quite a few good campaigns including this one, and they are doing some great work. But i find it a bit strange for Ógra to issue a statement on the equality of the Lily but has failed to mention one word about 19 Republican POWs who are facing punishment for wearing lilies while incarcerated by the Crown Forces
The fact is they are not able to freely wear Easter liles while they are incarcerated by the British Forces while poppies are freely permitted. And then Ógra issues a statement about the inequality of the lily in schools, universities and various other places but fails to mention what is happening to his fellow Irishmen in gaol!
To Newry Republican,
Ógra are raising this issue for EVERYONE.
If/when their campaign is successful, equality will be granted to everyone to wear the Easter Lily in school, uni, workplace, prison, wherever.
The poppy is the same, it can be worn where ever without fear of discrimination.
This campaign is to be welcomed, and will benefit everyone if a success.
Joe
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