Irish Language Movement Marches Again For Rights Denied
The Irish language community in the Six Counties took to the streets again over the weekend. Thousands demanding that their rights be recognised by the British government and its Stormont administrators attended the rally. It is the third such rally in a year and continues to show exactly how the Irish language and identity in Ireland is under constant and increasing attack.
Amidst school closures, the ending of Lá Nua (The only Irish language weekly newspaper), the axing of the broadcast fund and the unionist veto of Acht na Gaeilge, the Irish language movement has consistently raised awareness of injustices and challenged constantly for their rights.
Saturdays march was another expression of the resolution of the community in the Six Counties who have refused to allow their identity, culture, language and way of life to be crushed under British policy.
Of the thousands of children educated through the medium of Irish many were in attendance and the peaceful demonstration was a unique and truly majestic expression of Irish identity for all involved and witnessing the procession.
The message was clear that, despite some of the most draconian language legislation in decades under the Stormont regime, the Irish language community remains a strong vibrant and, above all, resolute part of Irish life.
Even in the face of a unionist controlled government, which at best doesn’t care and at worst actively sabotages progression, the Irish language community can and will use their unique brand of extra parliamentary activism to ensure the salvation and development of one of the oldest and richest languages in the world.