Coverage of Anti-Celtic Witchhunt

["D OC" <donaloc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is a great article on a subject most media wouldn't touch with a
bargepole.

In particular, their focus on countering the alleged 'sectarianism' of
expressions of Republican culture is praiseworthy indeed. I might highlight
the flying of Basque and Palestinian flags by Celtic supporters and the
Israeli flag by the Rangers crowd (in addition to the more usual C18
neo-nazi/UDA/UFF/LVF flags). If people want serious, working-class
militancy - this is what it looks like.

The Militant
Vol.66/No.47           December 16, 2002

Irish in Scotland stand up to rulers? chauvinist campaign

BY PETE WILLIAMSON
DUNDEE, Scotland--Defenders of Irish national rights in Scotland are
refusing to be pushed back by a government-led campaign against the growing
expressions of Irish nationalism here. Scotland has a substantial Irish
population that has been subjected to second-class status.
This chauvinist campaign is being carried out in the name of combating
"sectarianism." While decrying efforts to impose "sectarian" religious views
on others--Protestant or Catholic--officials have in practice used the term
as a cover for targeting Irish nationalists.

In recent months, government officials have branded Irish marches in
Scotland as "sectarian." Authorities suspended the license of a pub that
police claimed had "memorabilia and music" supporting the Irish Republican
Army (IRA). Cops have seized Irish and Palestinian flags from fans of the
Celtic team at football (soccer) games.

Joining the anti-Irish campaign, First Minister Jack McConnell of Scotland
has proclaimed his determination to "end an attitude which, like racism, is
a stain on Scotland?s reputation." McConnell has worked with the directors
of football clubs to ban the sale of "paramilitary" flags outside football
grounds--supposedly referring to the IRA and rightist pro-British groups.
The Scottish executive (government) is also considering legislation that
would supposedly combat "sectarianism."

Jim Slaven, a leader of the James Connolly Society, Scotland?s main Irish
republican organization, condemned these moves. "We believe most of the
examples they give as sectarianism are legitimate expressions of the Irish,"
he said in an interview. "The real issue is that the Irish themselves are
victims of sectarianism, and they [government officials] do nothing to deal
with the intolerance to the Irish." Slaven said his organization, along with
others in the Republican Commemoration Committee, had no intention of
pulling back from the regular marches they organize.

...snip...

Slaven remarked, "The direction and tone of the debate on ?sectarianism? in
Scotland is part of a long-term campaign by the British government to label
the conflict in the north of Ireland as sectarian. It is another attempt by
the British to portray themselves as neutral in the face of two warring
factions."

...snip...

"It?s anti-Irish racism," said Paul Steele, a leader of the Volunteer Tom
Williams Republican Flute Band from Glasgow, referring to the government?s
campaign against "sectarianism." He explained, "Every time we have a parade,
the police and media brand us as sectarian. It?s not about religion, though,
because we have Protestants in the band--it?s because we?re Irish."

Steele said the Irish flute bands in Scotland really took off after the 1981
hunger strikes by Irish republican prisoners in British jails, one of the
high points of the national struggle in Ireland. His band, named after an
Irish republican executed by the British in 1942, regularly plays at Irish
parades in Scotland and travels frequently to Ireland.

The band has raised funds for Irish prisoners held under British rule. On
May 27, 2001, some 5,000 people led by the flute bands marched through
Glasgow?s city center to commemorate the Irish hunger strike. On June 8 of
this year 2,000 people marched in Edinburgh, having pushed back police
attempts to restrict the flying of Irish flags.

...snip...

The Celtic club, whose foundation is historically linked to the Irish
independence struggle, has continued to fly Irish flags from its masts,
despite occasional government moves. At games its supporters sing the Irish
national anthem as well as songs of the Irish freedom struggle, and some
display banners and flags supporting the fight against British rule in
Ireland. Steele reports that in recent years Palestinian and Basque flags
have also been flown by some in the crowd.

The other main football club in Glasgow is Rangers, whose fans display the
British Union Jack flag as well as banners associated with the rightist
paramilitaries in the north of Ireland, and sometimes Israeli flags. They
often sing anti-Irish songs. In 1999 the vice chair of the team, prominent
Scottish lawyer Donald Findlay, was forced to resign after it was revealed
he sang anti-Irish songs at a celebration. As a lawyer Findlay has defended
several Rangers supporters charged with knife attacks on Celtic supporters.
Each of these clubs attracts up to 60,000 to their home games.

for full: http://www.themilitant.com/2002/6647/664757.html


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