Slouching Towards Bethlehem. - WIP Class of 23’ 🇺🇸 Working:
@ColumEastwood
🕊️ Ag foghlaim Gaeilge. Former Youth Worker. Building a New Ireland. Views own.
Walking to the shop to buy some gas and all of a sudden I run into the 42nd President of the United States of America Bill Clinton 🇺🇸
Thanked him for his contribution to peace in Ireland and told him I’m excited to meet him again in Derry! 🕊️
Walked into a café in Budapest, Hungarian waiter sees my Derry top, says ‘go raibh maith agat’ after showing me to my table…
He only speaks a few words, fair play to him. The Irish Language is here to stay, from the Bogside to Budapest 💚🗣️
Disgusting to see huge UVF flags flying the whole way down the Newtownards Road.
Not reflective of all the people of this area, not reflective of all the unionist community.
They deserve to be torn down by the people. Peace is the only path forward. 🕊️
I’ve got chills. My generation owe our lives, the society we live in, and our future to the people who powerfully pursued the path of peace in this place.🕊
We can’t ever forget that, or forget to keep building upon the foundations people like John Hume left us. 🌹
#DerryGirls
Nolan has kicked the SDLP’s Matthew O’Toole off the air for condemning those acting as a public voice for loyalist paramilitaries who are threatening violence?
While continuing to platform these threats?
Ridiculous.
I’ve accepted a new position as the Adminstrative and Communications Officer for Colum Eastwood MP! 🙌🏻📝
Excited to assist Colum in his work representing the people of Derry.
Grateful for the trust he’s placed in me and for the opportunity to serve our community in this role.
“Patient political negotiation is unspectacular
The alternative, the use of violence disguised as military patriotism – has misled many young idealists. Its monuments are mangled and broken bodies” - John Hume
There was always an alternative to killing.
I found out yesterday that the Rev. Ian Paisley personally refused to marry my Granny and Granda because she was a devoted Free Presbyterian and he was Church of Ireland
I suppose there’s some kind of poetic justice in my being there when his son lost his seat on Friday morning
Delighted to announce that I’m starting a new position as a Legislative Intern at the United States House of Representatives! 🇺🇸
I’m incredibly excited to learn, and to grow, from this experience. Thank you so much to WIP for the opportunity. 🤝🏻
I sat in the public gallery today with work experience students and watched MLAs fail Dáithí and all 134 people waiting on a transplant.
This boycott is not just an affront to our democracy, it’s an affront to our human decency.
What a shameful display. Where is the compassion?
After two years, I’m stepping down as the Chairperson of SDLP Youth.🕊️
I’m thankful for those who have supported me, and hopeful for having made an impactful contribution.🌹
I’ll keep working for an inclusive New Ireland, where our opportunities are as great as our ambition. 💚
The best wee man in the world is being put to sleep tomorrow morning.
George gave us a great few years. I’ll miss sitting on the sofa together at night watching the cowboy films with him.
I’ve never had a best friend like him, and he had me well looked after.
He was some pup.
Some News: I was recently elected as the new Chairperson of the SDLP in the Foyle constituency.🌹
So, on Wednesday I was delighted to chair my first meeting in Derry City with party activists and representatives.
Excited to get stuck in and help build a new future for Derry. 👏🏻
Delighted to accept a place on the Washington Ireland Program Class of 2023 🇮🇪🇺🇸
Hoping to further develop my leadership skills and expand my ability to serve my community throughout my two month internship in the U.S. ☘️
Excited to learn and to meet the rest of the class! 🕊️
Sinn Féin and the DUP have given backing to block access to lifesaving medical care options for transgender young people.
The First Ministers and the Health Minister should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.
It’s time for all of us to stand with the LGBT+ community.
First Photo: My Grandfather and Bernadette Devlin during the Battle of the Bogside - 1969
Second Photo: Bernadette and I after having dinner together at the Race Equality Awards in Derry, over 50 years later - 2021
Honoured to address the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington D.C. last night on behalf of the WIP Class of 2023 🇺🇸🕊️
Grateful for the opportunity to share my story, and give thoughts on the duty we all have to shape Ireland, together.
Some exciting news…
I’m delighted to begin a new role with the New Ireland Commission. 🕊️
Our vision for a New Ireland is inclusive, it’s a bold plan for a brighter future, together. 🤝🏻
I’m thankful for this opportunity to contribute towards that.
📣 Welcome to the team Karl Duncan - delighted to have Karl join us as Programme Manager for the New Ireland Commission!
Karl will be supporting our workshops, Policy Roundtables & Townhalls!
Join our movement to build an inclusive, reconciled
#NewIreland
Spoke with Keir Starmer in Derry yesterday.🌹
I impressed upon him the importance of economic investment, job creation, and skills training to give young people hope and opportunity.
Addressing the brain drain, and the poverty crisis is key to building a peaceful society in NI.
Three years ago today, I joined the SDLP. A decision which completely changed my life.🌹
I will never stop working for a fairer, more compassionate society, a bold and an ambitious New Ireland in Europe.🕊️
Join us today. Build the common ground, build a new nation. 💚
I’m 22 and would just like a functioning Stormont Assembly.
I want to be able to have faith that government can work, and work for all the people of this place.
I want people here to see the rewards of the peace era. I want us to have a reason to stay.
Is that too much to ask?
It’s reprehensible that the QUB Orange Order Society had these signs up at the Freshers Fair today.
This should have not have happened.
I’m glad they were taken down by the end of the day but again should not have happened at all.
Some cool news to share ahead of Christmas, which is that I’ve just started a new role with Cara Hunter MLA! 🕊️🌹
Extremely excited to get stuck in with helping the people of East Derry and working hard to effect change.💚
I’m delighted to see Lilian Seenoi Barr become Mayor of Derry and Strabane tonight.
She’ll be a fantastic First Citizen, for all our city and district.
I’m honoured to be in the chamber tonight to witness history being made.
My very short contribution to last night’s View from Stormont. 🕊️
Peace is a long journey. Integration and effectively tackling poverty are big steps in that journey.
We’ll walk this path together, and we won’t stop moving forward; no matter who threatens our peace.
An honour to hear from the powerful Bríd Rodgers of the SDLP at the Linen Hall Library Origins of the Agreement event. 📚
One of the only women, alongside McWilliams, at the table during negotiations to end the conflict in Northern Ireland.🕊️
Peacemaker. Inspiration. Legend. 🌹
There’s an attitude emerging in recent years that sees maintaining the status quo as the only ‘respectable’ position.
Those of us leading an alternative via a New Ireland are doing so in a positive, inclusive, and respectful manner.
It is not a invalid or unhelpful vision.
It’s my 22nd Birthday today, so I spent the morning in Donegal 🕊️
A special place for me, out near what feels like the edge of the world 🌍
Ards Friary & Forest Park📍
Pleasure to meet US Special Envoy Joe Kennedy III at Ulster University today with the Washington Ireland Project. 🇺🇸🕊️
Unlocking the economic potential of NI and bringing opportunities to everyone in this place is key to solidifying our peace. 🤝🏻
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood and Cllr. Lilian Seenoi Barr in the Museum of Free Derry today 👏🏻
Cllr. Barr will become Mayor of Derry and Strabane tonight, making history as Northern Ireland’s first Black Mayor.
The City of Civil Rights takes another bold step towards Progress.
I’ve been getting a lot of hate since posting a photo of myself and President Clinton, and more after sharing support for LGBT+ people.
In contrast, I spent today with some passionate political activists, our diverse community, and my good friends.
They give me strength. 💜🕊️
I’m a huge admirer of Fearghal Sharkey’s work. 👏🏻
Advocating for the protection of our precious environment is pretty cool, but Teenage Kicks takes the crown.
A Derry anthem for two Derry men in Liverpool this week. 🌹
Delighted to become part of the Washington Ireland Program Class of 2023! 🇮🇪🇺🇸🕊️
I’ve just returned, feeling renewed, from a weekend full of speakers, self-reflection, and teamwork at Corrymeela. 👏🏻
Glad to meet new friends, and to learn from eachother. I’m so very grateful. 🕊️
In Coleraine with Cara Hunter, Helen Maher, and Colum Eastwood…
A wee old lady has just walked past and shouted “Hello, good-looking!” at Colum Eastwood hahahahaha 🤝🏻🔥
Standing united against racism and the far-right, in Guildhall Square tonight with our Derry SDLP team.
Proud to hear our Mayor Lilian Seenoi Barr speak out at tonight’s rally. 👏🏻
It was great to meet with Congressman Richard Neal today alongside my friend Ruairí McDonnell.
Rep. Neal’s commitment to keeping Northern Ireland on the agenda across the world, and facilitating reconciliation is well documented.
Fantastic to hear his perspective. 🕊️
I was on Newstalk to speak about learning the Irish Language as a newcomer! 🕊️
I’ve been met with a great sense of community since I started learning, and I think that’s reflective of the sense that Irish Language belongs to every community on our island. 👏🏻💚
Watch below!👇🏻⭕️
Good to see Claire Hanna working to safeguard our environment tonight from Tories attempting to “Max Out” North Sea oil and gas production ⚡️
Thankful to have a progressive MP from Northern Ireland leading the charge against greedy interests. 👏🏻🕊️
#ClimateActionNow
💚
Excellent to watch Claire Hanna rinse Jim Allister once again 👏🏻
Claire is just a brilliant progressive champion who has a genuine vision for making this place better. 💚
@ClaireHanna
@sinnfeinlgbtq
Any comment on the First Minister supporting the blocking of lifesaving healthcare options for trans young people?
Silence is what again?
Can’t count the ways in which I am inspired by Paul Doherty’s community activism. When he says “People First” he means it. ✊🏻
A person you can trust to fight your corner in Stormont. He will make a great MLA for West Belfast. Looking forward to knocking doors for him. 🕊
Delighted to speak in support of the successful motion to SDLP conference on Fighting Transphobia. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Genuine thanks to SDLP members, and representatives who supported us
We must have the courage and the compassion in our politics to declare Trans Rights are Human Rights.🕊️🌹
Attending a Vigil for Brianna Ghey tonight outside Belfast City Hall 🕊️
Shameful that a minutes silence couldn’t even be completed due to heckling.
When LGBT+ people are under attack we all have a duty to stand up. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
The SDLP are the only Northern Ireland Political Party that turned up at Westminster to vote against Fire and Rehire 🕊🌹
We also voted for the Trade Union Freedom Bill at Stormont
Where were the DUP and Alliance Party at Westminster? They didn’t turn up. We’ll turn up for you.
What’s happening to P&O workers is a damning indictment of
@BorisJohnson
’s government obsession with watering down workers rights.
I’m proud to be part of a party that voted against fire/rehire in WM (the only NI party to do so) & support the Trade Union Freedom Bill at Stormont
Thanks to Rosalind Skillen for the excellent write up in this morning’s Belfast Telegraph.🕊
Happy to share my motivation for getting involved and talk about the change I want to see in Derry and across the North.🌹
Read the article online here:
A huge thank you to Congressman Mike Quigley of Illinois, who took in an Irish intern (me) for the summer. 🇺🇸🇮🇪
I had the opportunity to learn so many valuable lessons which I can’t wait to bring home to Ireland.
All thanks to Rep. Quigley, his incredible team, and WIP 🤝🏻
You can’t genuinely claim this after blocking access to lifesaving medical care options for transgender young people - it’s just clearly untrue.
Whichever way the wind blows Sinn Féin goes.
“Patient political negotiation is unspectacular
The alternative, the use of violence disguised as military patriotism – has misled many young idealists. Its monuments are mangled and broken bodies, prison walls and cemeteries” - John Hume
🕊️🌹
I’m on BBC Newsline tonight 🗣️
I believe that going forward we have a responsibility to improve education across these islands on the facts of the Conflict 🤝🏻
This is covered in the radio interview on today’s Good Morning Ulster, Irish Unity, my personal background, and more🔥
Colum Eastwood MP hosting the SDLP event at the Labour Party Conference🌹
“We will build a Social-Democratic New Ireland. However we must convince our neighbours that their identity will be respected.” 👏🏻
Glad to see Colum Eastwood confirm that the SDLP will be seeking to put in place emergency legislation to deal with the cost of living crisis and get money into people’s pockets immediately. 🕊🌹
#PeopleFirst
@SDLPlive
@columeastwood
Claire Hanna is speaking at Labour Irish’s event Resetting the UK’s Relationship with Europe 🇪🇺
The SDLP are a proudly European party; we will continue to work with our sister parties in PES and the S&D group to deliver for people in Northern Ireland 🌹
Today is officially my last day working for Cara Hunter MLA before heading off to Washington D.C. 🇺🇸🇮🇪
It’s been fantastic to work with Cara, Paul, and Anne-Marie and a great experience which has taught me a lot.
Best of luck to my friends, even from across the sea. 🕊️
Went on a walk, coincidentally met and briefly spoke to Michel Barnier on a hillside. 🇪🇺
Told him we were from Northern Ireland. Never know who you’ll bump into in Athens. 🖊
Wishing Colum Eastwood all the best as he steps down after 9 years of leading the SDLP.
I know he’ll keep standing up for Derry as our MP, and continue putting in the hard yards to achieve Irish Unity and to build a New Ireland.
Looking forward to seeing what’s next, boss. 👏🏻
Congratulations to Aobh Hollywood who is taking over as Chairperson of SDLP Youth 🌹
I’m delighted to hand over to a dedicated activist, a progressive, and a woman who never fails to make an impression with her strong values. 🕊️
Ádh mór Aobh! 👏🏻
So… I’ve just signed up to 20 weeks of beginner Irish Classes at the Cultúrlann in Derry, slightly nervous but so incredibly excited to finally start learning the Irish Language ☘️⭕️
Would encourage anyone to take the opportunity and sign up - classes begin on the 23rd Jan 👏🏻
So, last night we packed a room in Sandinos to discuss how we can develop Arts and Nightlife in Derry. 💜
We want to raise ambitions for the city we call home. We want to create new opportunities for young people, and to support artists, together.
This is just the start… 🤝🏻
Just left my first Irish class in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin in Derry! 🕊️
I really enjoyed it and would genuinely encourage anyone who is interested in learning the Irish Language to give it a go. 💚
Such a welcoming environment and such great craic. 👏🏻
I’m delighted that my friend, Lilian Barr, will be the next SDLP Mayor of Derry & Strabane.
An Historic First for Derry as we again commit to break barriers and build progress in Northern Ireland.
Together, we can lead this place to a bright new future. I’m confident we will.
SDLP turn down White House Parties over Ceasefire Stance. 👏🏻🕊️
Fair play to Colum Eastwood MP - A Leader who isn’t afraid to make the tough decisions that Leadership demands.