London Irish women's conference | Socialist Action 1983

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Ireland not to protect the beleagured lauolausl but to preserve the status They have reduced politics to a circus in which they see themseives as the main at traction. Increasing numbers of voters see them as the clowns. Tonight on RTE (southern Irish broadcasting) a pariIt will be a mixture of lies and half-lies, of distortions and fantasy, and when it is finished, the performances judged by the political pun dits and party supporters The real criminality of their pretence will not be considered, nor will the enormity of their arrogance And the plight of ordinar eople will be ignored. Ou political opponents Call upon the people to make sacrifices while they refuse to make sacrifices themselves Sinn Fein is fighting this election under severe handicaps and I regret much that we waited so long before adopting our electoral strategy. Despite this, I am confident that we hae made a good start in KISK developing republican politics in this Slate Sinn Fein is the onl party committed to rea change in the interests of the Lrish SATURDAY 24 Febconference of the LonCentre. The first conorganised around the perience of Emigration'. The second cenEngland'. This year's focused on the vital question of With over 250 people attending, this year's conterence proved as A wide range of Irish women's groups operate in London today, and 25 of them addressed the These representatives from Irish pensioners groups, Irish women wies Acad musicians as well as local groups campaigning around the situation in The afternoon was siscussing the workshops lives and identities of Irish women living in Britain. A clear recoguiton was made of the fact have cultural, religious, dif ferences, as Irish women basic. Irish identity which can be s of strength unity. The day finished with the passing of resolations concerning the welfare of Irish prisoners, opposing strip-searching pledging solidarit with the "Defend the Clinies' campaign - the campaign solidarity with clinies giving advice contraception in the south.

Throughout the day women had talked of their experience of anti-Irish racism and criticisms had also be voiced about the attitudes of the traditional Irish community - aS EX perienced by the refusal of the Irish Post to print the words 'Irish' and 'lesbian' The size of the conterence and the strengti of its message indicated that Irish women living in Britain are not prepared to conform to traditiona stereotypes and are creasingly asserting a new and confident identity.

• Contact: London Irish Women's Centre, 59 Stoke Newington Church St London N16 or telephone 01-249 7318.

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Socialist Action 20 Feb 1987