AOH Western Rep Mike O’Connor, Rita O’Hare, United Ireland Campaign Rep George Trainor, State President Tom Pahut and Bob Mehrens

San Francisco – Montana’s Lewis and Clark County signed a proclamation on March 17th, supporting a united Ireland. Declaring that “The the time has come to end partition of Ireland in favor of a united sovereign nation that guarantees equal rights and equal opportunities for all its citizens”.

The Irish connection to Montana began during Famine times, many came from the Beara Peninsula where they had mined before leaving for America. They arrived in Montana by way of Nevada’s Comstock Lode, Pennsylvania’s coalfields, and Michigan’s copper mines.

Rita O’Hare, spoke at last year’s state Ancient Order of Hibernian’s convention in Missoula, emphasizing the importance of a United Ireland. “Our objective is a republic that serves the needs of all the Irish people. The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and all its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally.”

Montana’s Lewis and Clark County, now joins a growing list of U.S. cities, counties, states and prominent organizations calling for Irish reunification by democratic, electoral means, as provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. Such Resolutions have been adopted by Boston, the New Jersey General Assembly, Lawrence, Massachusetts, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Oregon, Syracuse, Cleveland, Rockland County, New York, The California Democratic Party, Irish American Unity Conference and the San Francisco Labor Council.

The campaign for Irish reunification has expanded into Canada. Many prominent Canadians, including senior politicians from a broad political spectrum and the former Solicitor General of Canada have signed the Irish Unity Pledge, adding to the momentum generated by U.S. efforts.

Campaign for a United Ireland

San Francisco, CA

April 24, 2012