Boston IAUC Convention To Tackle Peace And Reconciliation Issues

Irish American Unity Conference (IAUC) president John Fogarty announced last week that the organization will hold its 24th Annual National Convention on the weekend of October 5th-7th at Boston's Hyatt Harborside Hotel.

Announcing the details of the conference, Fogarty said, "In keeping with this new era of peace and reconciliation between Irish nationalists, republicans and pro-British Unionists, this year's IAUC conference will be host to both unionists and nationalists in an effort to promote dialogue and understanding as we move together towards a shared future in the north of Ireland."

Conference speakers include Dr. Peter Shirlow, a senior lecturer at Queens University, Belfast who has done extensive research on the conflict in Ireland; Father Aiden Troy, who led the campaign to stop the harassment of young Catholic students attending the Holy Cross primary school; Raymond McCord, a unionist from Belfast, who will discuss his ongoing fight for justice for his son Raymond, Jr., murdered by the UVF in collusion with the British armed forces; and Nuala O'Loan, Police Ombudsman, who will give her last report before leaving office and confirm the reality of collusion between the British crown forces and loyalist death squads in the systematic murders of innocent Catholics and Protestants.

Nationalist and unionist political parties will also be represented, with Gerry McHugh, Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, and Roy Garland, Irish News journalist and prominent member of the Ulster Unionist Party, both attending.

Special features at this year's conference include a panel of former Irish POWs, who will talk of their past experiences and their hopes for the future.

Panelists will include Terry Kirby, Matt Morrison (IAUC Political Action Chair), Bobby Lavery, and Paul Harkin (IAUC National Vice President).

The conference will also feature a debate on whether or not the six counties should become part of a united Ireland, and the launch of an exciting new national campaign.

"Come and join us in Boston and witness for yourself the coming together of two opposing traditions. See the interaction between them. Witness history unfold before your own eyes," concluded IAUC president Fogarty