Madam, - During recent months the executive committee of the New Ireland Group has been discussing what we, as a small group with limited resources, might do to challenge the deep-rooted and bitterly inherited sectarianism which has blighted so many generations of the Irish people. Such inheritance is reflection of a very sick society: one which also harbours the related pathologies of bullying and racism.
As a result and following discussions with others who are not of our membership, we would like to inaugurate a League against Sectarianism and Racism to be known as "LASAR".
Provided therefore, that we receive sufficient indication of support to launch LASAR we are prepared to do so before subsequently handing over its management to a duly constructed committee elected from and by the attending members of organisations and people who have indicated a desire to participate.
We feel confident that LASAR will receive support from the many people of goodwill on both sides of the Northern Ireland crevasse and in both parts of Ireland and that it should command the financial support which it will obviously require if it is to be effective.
After learning of the vicious sectarian and racially motivated cruelty of recent times, we trust that citizens of goodwill many find merit in our proposal which should encourage them to feel that they can do something positive towards eradicating the manifestations and underlying causes of our endemic racism and sectarianism.
We conclude by sending our congratulations to the newly appointed Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rev Dr David Clarke, for his statement on sectarianism to which reference was made on Good Morning Ulster, June 6th, and also to the cross-cultural group whose work on bringing together those involved in Scottish and Irish musical traditions seems to be having such positive outcome.
Anyone or any organisation wishing to support us in inaugurating this league should contact our Vice-chairman, Jack McDowell, whose idea it was, at 20 Lenamore Drive, Jordanstown, Newtownabbey. - Yours, etc,
JOHN ROBB, Consensor, New Ireland Group, Portrush, Co Antrim.