IRISH AMERICANS PROTEST AGAINST THE STATE VISIT OF THE QUEEN

SHOW OF SOLIDARITY WITH IRISH PROTEST AGAINST THE STATE VISIT OF THE QUEEN

WHEN: May 17, 2011 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Great Hunger Memorial - 290 Vesey Street and North End Avenue, Battery Park City

Join WBAI’s Radio Free Eireann and Irish Americans as they meet to show solidarity with the Irish protesters against the Queen’s state visit to Ireland on May 17th at 1:00 p.m. For centuries, Britain has robbed Ireland of its natural resources for the enrichment of the crown. Between 1845 and 1852, the English monarchy allowed over one million Irish citizens to die by starvation. The Great Hunger Memorial is a stark reminder of the millions who had to choose between death by starvation or leaving their country and families forever.
The British Monarchy has never acknowledged their role in the Great Starvation, nor have they offered reparation for taking crops, cattle and money out of Ireland, while a million people starved. They have never apologized for their attempts to eradicate the Irish language, culture and religion. Yet Queen Elizabeth has decided to take a trip to Ireland, and again, expects the Irish people to pay for her security. The Irish economy is destroyed. Emigration has again reached crisis proportion. It is the height of arrogance to assume that Irish people should pay millions of euros to ensure safe passage while she tours the country she and her family have done their best to destroy.
Ireland’s exiled children in America will gather at the Great Hunger Memorial to help put the Queen’s state visit in proper perspective. Brief vignettes of famine stories will be read to provide historical context. Instead of bouquets of flowers, she will be presented with a list of her crimes against Irish humanity. A piper will lead her to be judged by a jury of starving and exiled Irish men and women.
All over Ireland, protests are planned for Queen Elizabeth’s visit on May 17th. Irish Americans who wish to show solidarity should join Radio Free Eireann at the Great Hunger Memorial at 290 Vesey Street and North End Avenue in Battery Park City at 1:00 p.m.