An anti-slavery day?

Now that the year-long Gathering celebration has begun it would be an opportune time for the State to suitably commemorate the thousands of Irish who unwillingly became part of the diaspora when they were transported as slaves to the Caribbean and Southern US states during the 17th century.

Perhaps a national Anti-Slavery Day could be initiated. Maybe a study could be done into the welfare of the descendants of those forced emigrants. I think such measures would go some way to dispel the criticisms of Gabriel Byrne and others who have labelled the Gathering as nothing more than a “shakedown.”

James Gaffney