The Irish language community in the North to demonstrate for their rights 25-2-14 There is little doubt but

that the Irish language movement has woken from its slumber and is now acting again for Irish language rights. In an historic day on 15th February, 10,000 Irish speakers took to the streets of Dublin to demand Irish language rights for Irish speakers and for Gaeltacht communities. This in turn inspired the people of Conamara to act and 1,000 people came out onto the roads of this Gaeltacht community on 23rd February to say, Sln le Sen and to bid farewell to the former Irish language Commissioner, Sen Cuirrein who resigned from his post due to the dishonesty of the Irish state in terms of the Irish language. Irish speakers throughout the island of Ireland are seeking adequate services and rights for speakers of the language and for the people of the Gaeltacht. Following on from this demonstration, L Mr na Gaeilge in Dublin, Irish language activists throughout the Six Counties and from further afield gathered at a public meeting in Belfast and agreed that there was an urgent need for a localised campaign in the North. These Irish speakers decided to organise L Dearg on Saturday 12th April in Belfast to demand Rights, Equality and Fairness for the Irish speaking community. Speaking on behalf of the Campaigns working group, Caoimhe N Chathail, who announced the Belfast March in front of 10,000 at the L Mr Gaeilge in Dublin said, Irish language activists in the Six Counties decided that we should build upon the wave of energy that grew from the Irish language day in Dublin. The Irish language community, North and South are red with anger about the current circumstances in which our limited resources are being put in danger by state cut-backs and our language rights are being denied to us on a systemic level.

The European Commission confirmed on the 14th January, 2014 that the Power-sharing Executive in the Six Counties is failing in their responsibilities with regards to the Irish language, and that they are preventing the growth and promotion of the language in the North. The spotlight was shone on the hostile outlook conveyed by some of the members of Stormont with regards the Irish language, the lack of cross-party support and a lack of support for the use of the language in the courts, in the media, in public signage and in the Education Sector. On the 12th of April, we will be demanding rights, equality and fairness, and Irish speakers are extremely driven on these particular issues. The future of many Irish language groups and the services they provide are under threat, including early year services and preschool provision; travel rights are being denied to Irish-medium pupils despite a court case ruling in favour of the implementation of these rights; post-primary provision has not been developed in spite of a growing and palpable demand; Our Gaeltacht areas are under attack and the British Government and the Politicians in Stormont refuse to implement an Irish language Act in the North. Caoimhe continued, We strongly believe that people who choose Irish as their language should have the opportunity and right to use it. There will be public meetings throughout Ireland to attract support for this march and we wish to deliver a definitive, strong message to the authorities on this issue. We ask the people of Ireland, both local people and those further afield, to stand with us for L Dearg. We welcome every citizen who believes in the future of the Irish language and in human rights in general. Our ancient, beautiful language belongs to all of us and it needs to be an integral part of our shared future. Everyone who speaks Irish and or who has an interest in it are welcome. Come and join us on L Dearg in Belfast! Additional notes: The three demands:

A comprehensive rights-based Irish Language Act for the North. That the State in the North fulfil their obligations to develop a comprehensive Irish-medium Education system. - That adequate resources be provided for the Irish speaking Community.
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The march will leave Cultrlann McAdam Fiach Saturday 12 April at 2pm and will finish in Custom House Square in Belfast City Centre. For more information contact ladearg@gmail.com or call Caoimhe on 07500428600. Facebook etc., fbl.me/ladearg & #ladearg.