{"id":25884,"date":"2022-04-17T11:53:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-17T15:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25884"},"modified":"2022-04-18T08:19:38","modified_gmt":"2022-04-18T12:19:38","slug":"mcdonald-seeks-partnership-with-unionists-in-building-united-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25884","title":{"rendered":"McDonald Seeks ‘Partnership’ With Unionists In Building United Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mary Lou McDonald was speaking during an Easter commemoration to mark 106 years since the 1916 Rising (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The leader of Sinn F\u00e9in has sought \u201cpartnership\u201d with unionists to help realize the party\u2019s objective of achieving a united Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mary Lou McDonald said unionists must have an \u201cequal part\u201d in building what she described as a new Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms McDonald made the comments during an Easter commemoration to mark 106 years since the 1916 Rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing a large crowd that assembled in Milltown Cemetery in Belfast on Sunday, Ms McDonald urged unionists to \u201cwalk this journey with us\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo those of a unionist tradition I say sincerely, we seek partnership with you,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA future of equality and freedom belongs to you. A future of progress and change belongs to you. A future of prosperity and opportunity belongs to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is not for anybody to invite you in; that future is already yours. It is about you, it is of you, it is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBritish government after British government has disrespected and failed you, time and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cImagine instead the liberating possibility of full freedom to make all decisions here, in a parliament here, for the people who live here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInstead of a government in London turning its back on you, imagine an Ireland where your place is assured, and your rights are enshrined in law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere who you are is woven into the very fabric of who we all are, a people as one in all our diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn Ireland finally taking its place again as part of the European family and amongst the nations of the world, ready to realize all of our potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn that spirit, in that belief, there is no limit to what we can achieve together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWalk this journey with us. This is the decade of opportunity where we have the freedom to determine our future. There is so much to gain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms McDonald reiterated her calls to prepare for Irish unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the commemoration wreaths were laid for various groups

Cialis Ohne Rezept Kaufen<\/a><\/p> , including the National Graves Association and the GAA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was followed by the laying of single lilies by young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A minute\u2019s silence was held for those who died during the 1916 Rising, followed by a musician playing a lament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Proclamation was read by Roseleen Walsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the forthcoming Northern Ireland Assembly election, Ms McDonald said that if Sinn F\u00e9in emerges as the largest party, it will nominate Michelle O\u2019Neill as first minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She told the crowd that there is \u201cnot an office\u201d off-limits or the \u201csole preserve of one group\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose days are gone and good riddance,\u201d Ms McDonald added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter the votes are counted, the Sinn F\u00e9in team will go back to the Assembly ready to do business, ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work for the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want to do this in partnership with others. We will work with everyone to make politics a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDemocracy must prevail on terms set by the people, not by the DUP or by anyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe democratic test for the leaders of political unionism will be if they accept the will of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope they do. I hope they do not repeat the mistakes of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow is the time for an Executive that is focused on delivery and the future, and which embraces the values of partnership over division.\u201d<\/p>\n

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