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Protest awaits Thatcher |
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By HJ HORMEL |
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A group 100 or so Irish Americans plan to protest outside York's Strand-Capitol Theatre Wednesday night - while former British Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher speaks. |
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Jim McGuigan of Hanover, a member of the York County division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, said other members of his group along with members of the Irish Northern Aid Committee will be picketing at the York theater. |
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"We just want to remind people of what she did...also to me personally to let people know what's going on now" in Northern Ireland, McGuigan said. |
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McGuigan said he remembers Thatcher from the 1981 hunger strikes in which 10 Irish prisoners died. |
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Thatcher will be speaking at the Junior League of York's "In the Spotlight" speakers series, a fund-raiser for the group's program to prevent and address the issue of child abuse. Thatcher is scheduled to speak on "Challenges Facing the 21st Century." |
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Yvonne Bland, chair-elect or the organization's public relations committee, said Thatcher's visit is meant to educate and does not imply that the League supports or endorses any political view the former prime minister may hold. |
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The speakers series, in its ninth year gives "Yorkers an opportunity to experience individuals who are leaders in various' fields," Bland said. |
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The group did not know about the protest before members were contacted, by reporters. Bland would not comment on whether the protest will disrupt the event. |
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"I appreciate that they want to make their positions known as well," she said. |
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McGuigan said there is still a lot of prejudice against Catholics in Northern Ireland, but the primary thrust of the protest will be human rights issues, such as the treatment of Roisin McAleskey, native Irish-Catholic, whose mother was a famous fighter for Irish civil rights. |
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McAleskey, according to, McGuigan, was jailed without charges being filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He said that allegedly she is being held for extradition to Germany where she was supposed to have been part of a bombing attempt. |
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McGuigan is one of about 35 men who belong to the York County arm of the AOH. The group is a fraternal organization for men over 16, who are Irish or of Irish descent and are practicing Catholics. |
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He said he got involved in this action and others involving Northern Ireland because he cares. |
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"Basically it's a matter of human rights." he said and added that the situation is similar, to the Civil Rights movement in the south. |
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The Evening Sun WWW: http://www.sun-link.com/online/online.html
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