Ó Brádaigh refused Visa for launch of biography in New York
international |
miscellaneous |
press release 
Saturday October 21, 2006 17:25
by Seán Ó Murchú - Republican Sinn Féin - Cork
The US Department of State in Washington has refused a Visa to the President of Republican Sinn Féin, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, to visit New York this weekend for the launch there of a biography of which he is the subject.
Ó Brádaigh refused Visa for launch of biography in New York
The US Department of State in Washington has refused a Visa to the President of Republican Sinn Féin, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, to visit New York this weekend for the launch there of a biography of which he is the subject.
A letter from the US Embassy in Dublin states that this action was taken under Section 212 (a) (3) (B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This section is described in a similar letter dates June 9, 1994 as prohibiting "the issuance of a visa to any person who has engaged, or who is likely to engage, after entry into the United States, in terrorist activity".
The biography is a 350-page hard-back book by Dr Robert W White, Professor of Sociology at Indiana University and is the result of 22 years research. It has already been launch this year in Dublin, Belfast and several other centres in Ireland and is available in bookshops.
The proposed weekend visit to New York was intended solely for the book launch, surely a political act which has now been suppressed by the US Department of State.
Comments (3 of 3)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3or even vaguely political? ...... or was it the cardboard in his shoes?
O Bradaigh is a champion of the most sensible peace plan yet conceived, Eire Nua. I'm not certain how attending the launch of his biography is regarded as "engaging in terrorist related activity", but heaven knows the current US administration isn't exactly careful when applying such a label or charge.
Denial of visas to proponents of this peace plan is a denial of the freedom of speech and political expression. America has become precisely what its founding ideology abhored and warned against.
No alternative to the Stormont deal will be allowed to see any light of day. Sadly, it's the one road until people realise that that road is a dead end.
I may not agree with O'Bradaigh's politics, but I must defend his right to write and to publish. The US is a Stalinist-style state (why anyone might wish to go there, I have no idea). In some parts of the city of Washington it is forbidden, under pain of arrest, to discuss publicly political issues or, precisely, 'anti-war' issues. I have heard that 'students' are place into university lectures to note down whether a lecturer is making 'anti-war' (in other words, Anti-American) statements or remarks; he could face dismissal. It is up to Irish writers immediately and vigorously to make known their outrage at the refusal of a visa to O Bradaigh in this instance. I am sure Bertie Ahern, champion of democracy and of the rights of the ordinary Irishman, is on his way as I write to deliver his protest to the American ambassador.
"Ah, Jaysus, lads! Yer puttin' me in a terrible spot wid me Party's inherdent Republicanism. Harney's gone - we've dun enuff in the war against terrordism. He only wants to sell his oul' buke. Indymeeja'll have me goolies for this!"
Indymedia Ireland is a media collective. We are independent volunteer citizen journalists producing and distributing the authentic voices of the people. Indymedia Ireland is an open news project where anyone can post their own news, comment, videos or photos about Ireland or related matters.