Sectarian Killings in Ireland/NORAID member on Fast Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit Irish Northern Aid Committee National Office: 363 Seventh Avenue, Suite 405, New York, N.Y. 10001 212-736-1916 * 1-800-IRELAND * 212-279-1916 (FAX) February 3, 1998 For Immediate Release Contact: Christy Ward National Press Relations Officer 614-344-9651 (day/eve) 614-344-2819 (FAX) cbhaird@nextek.net New York (Feb. 3) - Gerry Coleman, the director of the Political Education Department of the Irish Northern Aid Committee, began a 24-hour fast in front of the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., last night, Feb. 2, to draw attention to the recent spate of sectarian killings in the north of Ireland. Coleman, 52, a college English professor from New Jersey, said he hoped his public fast outside the residence of the British ambassador would highlight the continued slaughter of uninvolved Catholics by pro-British forces. "Since the pro-British forces called a conditional ceasefire in the fall of 1994, 18 people have died by their hand, 16 of whom were uninvolved Catholics killed in random attacks. They were killed only because they were Catholics living in the north of Ireland. As I was beginning this fast, pro-British forces once again issued a threat that they would continue their attacks on innocent Catholics in the north of Ireland," said Coleman. "The Royal Ulster Constabulary claims to have these killers under surveillance. If that's the case, we must ask why they are not stopped, and who benefits by letting the killings continue," he asked. The 24-hour fast began at 7 p.m. Monday in front of the British Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. there will be an hour-long candlelight vigil remembering the victims of recent sectarian attacks in Ireland. Prime Minister Blair arrives in Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 4 and departs on Saturday, Feb. 7. During his stay he will meet with President Bill Clinton to discuss, among other issues, the current peace negotiations in the north of Ireland. Coleman encouraged supporters of peace and justice in Ireland to conduct similar vigils at British consulates throughout the U.S. "I'd like to see concerned American supporters of Irish freedom fasting one day a month in front of British offices across the country. This month we'll do Washington, next month could be Cleveland, and San Francisco could follow that. We just need to remind the British securocrats that Americans know and care about the situation in Ireland and we're willing to put up with a little discomfort to make our voice heard," Coleman said. Paul Doris, the national Chairperson of Irish Northern Aid, called on all supporters to send FAX and e-mail messages to both Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, calling for an end to the sectarian killings. The New York-based Irish Northern Aid Committee, founded in 1971, is a non-profit, humanitarian organization which raises funds for the families of Irish political prisoners in British, Irish and American jails. -30- ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-02.04.98-09:10:50-18591