2008 Woodie Awards
Speaker sheds light upon issues in Ireland
Meghan Hurley
Issue date: 9/29/06 Section: News
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"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights for all those who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend rights of the poor and needy."
With this Bible verse, Gerry Adams began his talk on the need for peace and a national republic in Ireland. Adams, president of Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party, spoke at the Eastern University Campolo School for Social Change on Saturday Sept. 23.
Adams was there to speak on his involvement in the quest for a peaceful, independent Ireland. After over 30 years of violence, the opposing political parties are finally sitting down to try and resolve some of the issues.
"Ireland belongs to the people that live there. Equality is good for everybody, not just equality for Catholics, or equality for Protestants; its for all," Adams said.
Adams began with a brief history of the past 30 years of violence in Ireland and moved on to how they are now working for peace. He is seen as a controversial figure for his past alleged involvement with the Irish Republican Army and other activities that have landed him in jail numerous times.
The main focus of his talk as compromise and each side has to give a little in order to meet somewhere in the middle. Through interfaith dialogue and harmony, Adams feels that an agreement can be reached.
"Everyone has different views, and I think that's ok," Adams said. "But, with the peace process, we have to be open to have our mind changed. I think Republicans have to do the most because we want the most change."
Adams also expressed a need for continual U.S. involvement in the peace process. He urged listeners to contact their congressmen and to remain educated about the issues in Ireland.
Adams visit was sponsored a student group at Eastern University called SPEAK. SPEAK is a student organization that pledges to "promote peace through open dialogue and peaceful activism," according to a press release on Eastern's website.
With this Bible verse, Gerry Adams began his talk on the need for peace and a national republic in Ireland. Adams, president of Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party, spoke at the Eastern University Campolo School for Social Change on Saturday Sept. 23.
Adams was there to speak on his involvement in the quest for a peaceful, independent Ireland. After over 30 years of violence, the opposing political parties are finally sitting down to try and resolve some of the issues.
"Ireland belongs to the people that live there. Equality is good for everybody, not just equality for Catholics, or equality for Protestants; its for all," Adams said.
Adams began with a brief history of the past 30 years of violence in Ireland and moved on to how they are now working for peace. He is seen as a controversial figure for his past alleged involvement with the Irish Republican Army and other activities that have landed him in jail numerous times.
The main focus of his talk as compromise and each side has to give a little in order to meet somewhere in the middle. Through interfaith dialogue and harmony, Adams feels that an agreement can be reached.
"Everyone has different views, and I think that's ok," Adams said. "But, with the peace process, we have to be open to have our mind changed. I think Republicans have to do the most because we want the most change."
Adams also expressed a need for continual U.S. involvement in the peace process. He urged listeners to contact their congressmen and to remain educated about the issues in Ireland.
Adams visit was sponsored a student group at Eastern University called SPEAK. SPEAK is a student organization that pledges to "promote peace through open dialogue and peaceful activism," according to a press release on Eastern's website.
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