Kelly slams those responsible for arson attack on 174 community centre

Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly, has slammed those responsible for an arson attack on the 174 Trust community center on the Antrim Road.

Speaking today Kelly said:

“It is tragic that this particular centre has been badly damaged by an arson attack. Those responsible for this attack have denied the local community a valuable resource.

“This centre is used by all ages and primarily local people, but it also attracts groups from across the city. To have it damaged in such a disregarding way is unacceptable and I’m sure that those who use the centre, and indeed the wider communty, will do all in their power to see it returned to its former state.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious last night should bring that information to the PSNI.”

“Our response should not be to manage cuts; our ambition needs to be greater” – Gerry Kelly

Sinn Féin Junior Minister and MLA for North Belfast Gerry Kelly launched the “2010 North Belfast Respect Programme” this week.
The programme includes conferences, historical tours, lectures, discussions, debates and other activities all aimed at developing awareness around political, social, economic and cultural issues affecting today’s society.

Speaking at the event, which was held in the Groundwork offices this morning Kelly delivered the following address”

“I am really pleased to be invited to this launch of the 2010 North Belfast Respect Programme. Unfortunately Junior Minister Newton is unable to be here and he sends his apologies, along with his best wishes for today’s event.

“We both recognise and value the very positive work being taken forward by all the people involved in the design, development and implementation of this year’s Programme. Well done to all of you.

“OFMDFM has responsibility for promoting good relationships and tackling poverty both across and within communities in North Belfast and we are committed to doing so with the aim of making it a safe, secure and prosperous place to live and work for everyone.

“For two long these policy areas have been seen to be distinct and separate. However I firmly believe that poverty and social exclusion sustains division and conflict.

“I believe that there is an urgent need to redress the historic patterns of deprivation which have beset the community of North Belfast.

“I deliberately use the term the community as I believe that we share more in common than what separates us.

“The impact of unemployment is felt the same in families across north Belfast regardless of where they live. The lack of opportunity for our youth affects all our young people and the fear of anti social and criminal behaviour impacts on all communities.

“I believe that the way to create real long lasting and sustainable change is by acting together to redress deprivation. We are stronger when every section of our community act together for the betterment of all.

“I would reject the suggestion that one section of the society or one neighbourhood can be regenerated at the exclusion of another. Inequality will only sustain the potential for conflict. We target disadvantage were it arises on the basis of objective need.

“The Executive is agreed on the three priorities of promoting economic growth out of recession, safeguarding frontline public services and tackling disadvantage.

“We also have an economy in crisis and a Tory led government that believes that you can cut your way out of recession.

“This will be a real challenge as some have bought into the Tory approach and it will be the working class, the communities of Ardoyne, Old Park, New Lodge, Tigers Bay and Mount Vernon that will bear the greatest cost for the greed of bankers and developers

“Our response should not be to manage cuts. Our ambition needs to be greater. We need to ensure that all in our community has the opportunity to play a full role in society. All have the opportunity for employment and to prosper. All can live free from anti social and criminal behaviour. This is what the community expects and deserves.

“OFMDFM are currently developing a programme to be targeted to those areas with the highest levels of disadvantage. It is not a secret programme as some have suggested and we have made plain our intention to make good on the commitment to target the most disadvantaged communities.

“We would like to work with communities to develop responses to tackling unemployment, dereliction and building safe and sustainable communities. We would hope to have formal consultations as the programme is being developed.

“It is in this context that OFMDFM is providing support to this year’s North Belfast Respect Programme as it creates a positive environment for local people supported by the voluntary, community and statutory sectors to explore these relevant issues and develop solutions.

“I’ve had a look through this year’s programme which runs over the next five weeks and there is truly an excellent series of worthwhile and informative events and activities on offer.

“I have no doubt that there will be something to interest everyone and I hope that people will participate in as many events as possible, not only to show their support for the Respect Programme, but to also gain a greater understanding around many of the political, social, economic, historical and cultural issues which are important within the community here in North Belfast and ultimately to make this year’s Respect Programme a real success.”
Details of all the events are available at www.ashtoncentre.com.

Memorial for first IRA Volunteer killed on active service

MEMORIES of the first IRA volunteer to die on active service following the outbreak of the recent conflict are to be shared at a plaque unveiling at the Westrock Community Garden in Ballymurphy.
Thirty-five-year-old father of six Michael Kane, who originally hailed from the New Lodge area of North Belfast, had his life cut short in a premature explosion in September of 1970.
The plaque dedicated to Michael Kane will be unveiled at the Westrock Community Garden this Sunday September 26, at 3pm, and will feature a short speech by veteran republican activist Joe Austin and will be chaired by Anne Marie McWilliams. All are welcome.

Standing firm and demanding social justice and economic equality

By Carál Ní Chuilín

The recent utterances by, firstly Peter Robinson and then Sammy Wilson of the DUP, warning of proposed cuts show that Unionists need to sever the emotional and subservient strings that tie them to the British Parliament at Westminster.
Before surrendering to the demands of the British Tory agenda of Public Service cuts, they should have a word with their party colleagues who have squandered the opportunity to save hundreds of millions of pounds through their obstinate opposition to anything that doesn’t fit in with their narrow political agenda.

They should speak to Edwin Poots, who scuppered the Reform of Public Administration which could have saved hundreds of millions over 25 years; or their DUP party colleagues, who are blocking the implementation by Caitríona Ruane of ESA, the single education authority, which could save tens of millions of pounds annually - money that could be used for building new schools and other front line services.
Those potential savings are based on maximizing efficiency and cutting out waste – not wholesale attacks on frontline workers and disadvantaged communities.

How can well-heeled DUP politicians call for frontline cuts when the British Treasury will rightly point to their self-serving opposition to managed reform through RPA and ESA?
Instead of meekly accepting cuts imposed on the North, what Unionists and other local politicians should be arguing for is control of our own financial affairs.
We need to be investing in recovery, not slashing and burning. You cannot cut your way to recovery. What we need to do is revitalise the economy – protecting the public sector. We need to invest in development – focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises. And the best way we can do that is by getting the resources and controls over to Ireland; demanding fiscal powers for the Assembly; managing all-Ireland stimulus; and acquiring the tools to rebuild a new sustainable economy.

Modern sustainable economics demands that public money should be prioritized towards areas and sectors of greatest need, to promote economic growth and equality on the basis of addressing objective needs. Yet the Tory agenda – which the DUP meekly serves – will widen the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’, making inequalities worse and thereby deepening social disadvantage across all our communities.

It was not the ordinary punter on the street that brought along this recession but rather the greed of the banks and those that creamed healthy profits from the labour of the working poor during the so-called ‘good times’.
Certainly, Sinn Fein recognises that we must address the probability of this current British government attempting to introduce cuts.
That is why we are arguing for all parties to the Executive to unite in opposition to the impositions of cuts. That is what the electorate expect of their representatives.
We will have to plan for whatever unfolds of course, that is a given. But the starting point in such a plan cannot be the acquiescence, which the DUP appear to be advocating. The starting point has to be standing firmly against cuts.

Why should those that did not benefit from economic growth during the ‘boom times’ be made to pay for the ‘bust’ due to the greed of others?
The British Government will no doubt intend to make savings at the expense of those that can least afford it while pumping billions into military occupations of other countries on the other side of the world or continuing to spend vast amounts on a nuclear arsenal. Where is the justice in this?
All the local parties need to join together and fight against any cuts that will affect the services to which our people are entitled, especially after over 30 years of mismanagement and under-funding.

If the last few decades have taught us anything in the North, it is that you’ll get nothing by bending the knee to ‘the powers that be’ across the water, but rather by standing firm and demanding social justice and economic equality.

Kelly condemns north Belfast shootings

Sinn Féin MLA for north Belfast Gerry Kelly has condemned those responsible for a series of shootings in north Belfast over recent days which have seriously injured three people.

Speaking today Mr Kelly said;

“The reality is that the community here do not want these kinds of attacks carried out in their areas they simply go to paint a false picture of our areas.

It amazes me that the people who claim responsibility for these attacks, the CIRA, are portraying themselves as working on behalf of the community to remove drugs from our streets when the world know they are actively involved in peddling drugs and extorting other dealers.

Drug dealers need to be taken off our streets and put into jail.

The community in north Belfast is working to ensure we tackle the problems of anti-social behaviour, drugs and crime head-on; that we ensure we are actively holding the PSNI and other statutory agencies to account.

These kind of attacks do nothing but undermine that good work.”

Nuacht an Tuaiscirt

The September edition of Nuacht an Tuaiscirt is now out and contains a fascinating interview with former Hunger Striker Leo Green, who is now part of the Sinn Féin team in the Northern Assembly. Providing you live in North Belfast you should get one through your letterbox. If not, call into the Sinn Féin offices on the Antrim Road and pick up one.

Attwood move onto Sinn Féin ground welcome development – Ní Chuilín

Speaking after a meeting today of the Assembly’s Social Development Committee Carál Ní Chuilín MLA said;

“It is welcome news that Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has come onto Sinn Féin ground and has accepted that he too needs to resist imposed British Tory cuts.

The obligation is on the Minister, within his department, to protect those most vulnerable within our society; it is welcome news that he has heeded the Sinn Féin call for unity within the Executive in opposing any planned cuts as a result of the British Tory Budget.

Sinn Féin are clear in our position, we must ensure that we protect the delivery of frontline services and this is of vital importance within DSD; I am glad that Alex Attwood has now come onto Sinn Féin ground in relation to this important issue.”