Cllr Johnny McGibbon completes successful tour of the USA

[Erin_go_bragh]

Saturday, January 26, 2008 Cllr Johnny McGibbon completes successful tour of the USA The month of December saw Ógra activist and Sinn Féin Councillor in Lurgan, Johnny McGibbon, visit the USA in a 2 week tour of 6 major cities. Below Johnny talks briefly about his time in the US and the experiences and events he took part in…….. In December I had the honour of representing Sinn Féin in the Mid-west area of the United States. I had the opportunity to travel to 6 major cities in the region, and meet with some extremely interesting people and organisations. The tour was sponsored by long term Republican support group in the United States, Irish Northern Aid; who organised public meetings and events throughout my stay in the mid-west. I began my trip in Chicago, Illinois and spend around 4 days in the ‘Windy City’. (I’m sure this is because of the strong winds coming in from it’s situation right on the edge of Lake Michigan; although I was informed it’s nickname originated from the fact that most of their politicians are full of hot air!). This gave me my first look into American society and into the Irish Republican community in the United States. The first event I attended was with the Arab American Action Network. I attended a workshop with teenagers from the inner city area of Chicago, who were mostly of Palestinian descent. We discussed the similarities between Ireland and Palestine, and also discussed the social conditions in which young people are living with in the United States today. This was a quite humbling experience, and was really when I fully realized the opportunity I had been given. On the same evening as this workshop I attended a local awards dinner for social justice groups working in Chicago. The awards ceremony honoured individuals and groups would had played a major role in their community over the last year. Many of the awards were given to social justice groups and activists who had stood up against huge property developers in their neighbourhoods. The event was fittingly entitled “The People’s Thanks Giving”. They even asked me to speak briefly about Political Prisoners in Ireland and internationally. Before I left Chicago I was invited to speak at a public event organized by Irish Northern Aid. These public events were organized in each of the cities I visited. These were the main meetings to discuss specifically what was happening in Ireland, and what was specifically happening in the political process Republicans are now engaging in. I tried my best to update people on our progress, and explain what Republicans are doing in the political institutions in Ireland, north and south. All these meetings produced interesting discussion and I was pleased to find how up to date INA activists are. (Considering the poor press coverage of the situation in Ireland today.) I continued on my tour doing College speaking events in Detroit, Cleveland and Grand Rapids, Michigan; as well as the public INA events, of course. College events proved to be somewhat different from the normal INA events. The College events saw people of all ages and backgrounds, coming to events to hear about Ireland. While many were of Irish descent, many also pointed out that they had no connection with Ireland or the struggle for independence. Yet I was overwhelmed by the sheer feeling of injustice, the students felt towards the situation in Ireland. Throughout my stay in the United States, I met with many Irish American activists. Wherever I went I was treated to a fantastic welcome, and great hospitality. I had the opportunity to spend time with comrades who led our support base in the US throughout the latest phase of our struggle, and who still continue to do so today. Irish American Activists, like Irish Northern Aid, are as determined and as committed as ever to building, and campaigning for a United Ireland in the USA. The Spirit of Freedom most definitely still burns amongst Irish-America. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyRGrAy0Dk4

[Comrade Ryan]

Saturday, January 26, 2008 Cllr Johnny McGibbon completes successful tour of the USA The month of December saw Ógra activist and Sinn Féin Councillor in Lurgan, Johnny McGibbon, visit the USA in a 2 week tour of 6 major cities. Below Johnny talks briefly about his time in the US and the experiences and events he took part in…….. In December I had the honour of representing Sinn Féin in the Mid-west area of the United States. I had the opportunity to travel to 6 major cities in the region, and meet with some extremely interesting people and organisations. The tour was sponsored by long term Republican support group in the United States, Irish Northern Aid; who organised public meetings and events throughout my stay in the mid-west. I began my trip in Chicago, Illinois and spend around 4 days in the ‘Windy City’. (I’m sure this is because of the strong winds coming in from it’s situation right on the edge of Lake Michigan; although I was informed it’s nickname originated from the fact that most of their politicians are full of hot air!). This gave me my first look into American society and into the Irish Republican community in the United States. The first event I attended was with the Arab American Action Network. I attended a workshop with teenagers from the inner city area of Chicago, who were mostly of Palestinian descent. We discussed the similarities between Ireland and Palestine, and also discussed the social conditions in which young people are living with in the United States today. This was a quite humbling experience, and was really when I fully realized the opportunity I had been given. On the same evening as this workshop I attended a local awards dinner for social justice groups working in Chicago. The awards ceremony honoured individuals and groups would had played a major role in their community over the last year. Many of the awards were given to social justice groups and activists who had stood up against huge property developers in their neighbourhoods. The event was fittingly entitled “The People’s Thanks Giving”. They even asked me to speak briefly about Political Prisoners in Ireland and internationally. Before I left Chicago I was invited to speak at a public event organized by Irish Northern Aid. These public events were organized in each of the cities I visited. These were the main meetings to discuss specifically what was happening in Ireland, and what was specifically happening in the political process Republicans are now engaging in. I tried my best to update people on our progress, and explain what Republicans are doing in the political institutions in Ireland, north and south. All these meetings produced interesting discussion and I was pleased to find how up to date INA activists are. (Considering the poor press coverage of the situation in Ireland today.) I continued on my tour doing College speaking events in Detroit, Cleveland and Grand Rapids, Michigan; as well as the public INA events, of course. College events proved to be somewhat different from the normal INA events. The College events saw people of all ages and backgrounds, coming to events to hear about Ireland. While many were of Irish descent, many also pointed out that they had no connection with Ireland or the struggle for independence. Yet I was overwhelmed by the sheer feeling of injustice, the students felt towards the situation in Ireland. Throughout my stay in the United States, I met with many Irish American activists. Wherever I went I was treated to a fantastic welcome, and great hospitality. I had the opportunity to spend time with comrades who led our support base in the US throughout the latest phase of our struggle, and who still continue to do so today. Irish American Activists, like Irish Northern Aid, are as determined and as committed as ever to building, and campaigning for a United Ireland in the USA. The Spirit of Freedom most definitely still burns amongst Irish-America. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyRGrAy0Dk4

Granted he says he wasn't well prepared for the talk - but my lord he was pretty poor.

[Lappy]

Granted he says he wasn't well prepared for the talk - but my lord he was pretty poor.

how did you reach that conclusion?

[Seabird]

He did appear to be nervous, we do not know how large the crowd or what may have occured prior to his actual talk; give him a break, he is young. Have you ever spoken in front of a huge crowd, it is quite an experience if you aren't a seasoned speaker. Obviously it was his first trip to America so he probably felt out of sorts, I know I did my first time. He delivered his message, I doubt they were judging him but listening to what he had to say. In America it is always nice to be able to hear someone from Ireland giving the updates instead of the paper.

[Ógra Shinn Féin]

In my opinion, Johnny spoke brilliantly and is a shining example to Irish youth.

To have the respect to be sent on behalf of SF to an extremely important international community and to have the confidence to address packed audiences across the US shows maturity and leadership.

Fair play Johnny!

[Comrade Ryan]

how did you reach that conclusion?

I watched the video - you?

[Ógra Shinn Féin]

Which republican organisation do you support Comrade Ryan?

[Comrade Ryan]

He did appear to be nervous, we do not know how large the crowd or what may have occured prior to his actual talk; give him a break, he is young. Have you ever spoken in front of a huge crowd, it is quite an experience if you aren't a seasoned speaker. Obviously it was his first trip to America so he probably felt out of sorts, I know I did my first time. He delivered his message, I doubt they were judging him but listening to what he had to say. In America it is always nice to be able to hear someone from Ireland giving the updates instead of the paper.

Well yeah I have spoke to crowds - more than once - and whilst its undoubtedly nerve wrecking I think OSF or SF should only be sending people capable of carry it off to a high level. After all they are the rep for your movement and many will judge the movement, its potential, etc, on what they see before them.

It didn't look or sound a huge crowd. Loads of empty seats, looked and sounded like a fairly sparsely populated lecture hall.

Although its not my movement anymore, I still feel that appearances like that let you down somewhat - frig sake it was down to the yank lecturer or whoever he was to put the bones on the material - he was a lot more impressive and informative than Johnny - should have saved on the airfare and sent him around.

[Comrade Ryan]

In my opinion, Johnny spoke brilliantly and is a shining example to Irish youth.

To have the respect to be sent on behalf of SF to an extremely important international community and to have the confidence to address packed audiences across the US shows maturity and leadership.

Fair play Johnny!

where was the packed audience?

[Comrade Ryan]

Which republican organisation do you support Comrade Ryan?

I was once aligned to your movement but am currently unaligned, why?

[Lappy]

I watched the video - you?

So did I and I was very impressed with his ability to articulate and deliver this lecture considering he is only 21. He didn't seem nervous at all even though he was giving a lecture in another country to a group of students. It's great to see intelligent young people like Johnny taking up public roles and representing Sinn Féin.

[Comrade Ryan]

So did I and I was very impressed with his ability to articulate and deliver this lecture considering he is only 21. He didn't seem nervous at all even though he was giving a lecture in another country to a group of students. It's great to see intelligent young people like Johnny taking up public roles and representing Sinn Féin.

What exaclty did you watch - he seemed as nervous as. Rocking back and forth whilst standing, trying to make wee quips that didn't come off coz he was too nervous to get the words out properly, short answers which didn't really answer the questions in full, failure to elaborate in any way, if the yank didn't bail him out before question time he would have crashed an burned.

I'm afraid that Johnny should have been monitored closely at similar events here before being sent abroad as a rep and if he was - well is the talent pool diminishing?

[Comrade Ryan]

So did I and I was very impressed with his ability to articulate and deliver this lecture considering he is only 21. He didn't seem nervous at all even though he was giving a lecture in another country to a group of students. It's great to see intelligent young people like Johnny taking up public roles and representing Sinn Féin.

Really -that was a lecture? Seemed like a really short, fumbled and sparse narrative of what SF is currently at followed by an awkward in non-informative question and answer session.

But whatever...

[Lappy]

What exaclty did you watch - he seemed as nervous as. Rocking back and forth whilst standing, trying to make wee quips that didn't come off coz he was too nervous to get the words out properly, short answers which didn't really answer the questions in full, failure to elaborate in any way, if the yank didn't bail him out before question time he would have crashed an burned.

I'm afraid that Johnny should have been monitored closely at similar events here before being sent abroad as a rep and if he was - well is the talent pool diminishing?

I think your just one of those people who enjoy picking holes in everything in an attempt to critisise Sinn Féin.

[TomClarke]

I think your just one of those people who enjoy picking holes in everything in an attempt to critisise Sinn Féin.

well you have to admit that isnt to difficult for Comrade Ryan to do that, but if mr mc gibbon carries on with this public speaking, he could hope to represent psf on the next RTE election debate. i mean, he is that good!:icon_laugh:

[Comrade Ryan]

I think your just one of those people who enjoy picking holes in everything in an attempt to critisise Sinn Féin.

I think you are wrong and I think jumping to conclusions about people makes it look like you don't think too hard.

For instance, I do admire some people within your org - for instance Eoin O'Broin is a great young person and a formidable speaker, as are others.

Its called critical appraisal - if you don't invite comment on this don't post it.

[Lappy]

I think you are wrong and I think jumping to conclusions about people makes it look like you don't think too hard.

For instance, I do admire some people within your org - for instance Eoin O'Broin is a great young person and a formidable speaker, as are others.

Its called critical appraisal - if you don't invite comment on this don't post it.

I am just questioning the conclusions that you have come to. You accuse Johnny of being nervous, providing shorts answers and not elaborating enough. I can't see or hear that anywhere in the video.

[Comrade Ryan]

I am just questioning the conclusions that you have come to. You accuse Johnny of being nervous, providing shorts answers and not elaborating enough. I can't see or hear that anywhere in the video.

well I don't want to get into a whole long drawn out confab about it but if you want an example of nerves - see the first portion where he is standing - looks like he's on a trawler with a heavy swell on - then the quip he attmeps to make after the phone going off - I could go on but if you are contending that this was a good confident performance then whats the point?

Just enjoy it.

[Lappy]

well I don't want to get into a whole long drawn out confab about it but if you want an example of nerves - see the first portion where he is standing - looks like he's on a trawler with a heavy swell on - then the quip he attmeps to make after the phone going off - I could go on but if you are contending that this was a good confident performance then whats the point?

Just enjoy it.

Absolutely, we have both come to our own conclusions on the video. Its up to everyone else to form theirs.

[Seabird]

Lappy,

At the end of the day does it matter what Ryan and Tom have to say about this? Don't sweat the petty stuff, concentrate on the entire picture. I am sure the ones in America appreciated his talk and were not quick to criticize. Most of these events are pretty easy going and afterwards ample time is given to move about talking the individuals so I am sure everyone left well informed.

[TirEoghainLad]

Fair play to Johnny!!! He spoke well.
Having heard Johnny speak before he is a very capable activist

[manus1916]

i'm suprised noone has picked up on the fact that Johnny McGibbon was sent out to america to highlight and speak about the sole issue of collusion in that regard he failed miserably.

if you are looking at it as his role was to pump up sinn feins tires, then he done a good job but i feel that him reverting to his comfort zone as a party lick or loyalist (which ever you prefer) done a disservice to the collusion campaign.

the americans had booked the far superior speaker and knowledgeable collusion activist bernice swift but were declined because she is still on suspension for fear that she might have gave a more honest veiw on policing and the dpp's than young johnny boy did as an unworthy replacement.

i beleive johnny failed on the objectives set out by the trip and it is now clear that while it was a success in promoting sinn fein it done little to promote the truth campaign so i beleive the families were unfortunatly short changed here.

instead of sinn fein playing politics next time give the people what they want the confident and articulate bernice swift who doesn't swing and miss