NORAID

Dan Lavigne

March 13th, 2018

Global Politics of Terrorism

Political Science

 NORAID should exist in the United States?  Why or why not?

            NORAID, or Irish Northern Aid, was a group that was founded in New York City in the early 1970’s as a response to the wider political and religious issues occurring in Northern Ireland at the time. Key members included representatives of the Provisional IRA, Michael Flannery, Jack McCarthy, and John McGowan. Its primary function was to conduct fundraising campaigns to instrument propaganda here in the United States favoring the Provisional Republican movement in Northern Ireland. The main mode of communication was through the print publication of Irish People. With an increase in the number of people entering the organization, it expanded to include chapters in other American cities such as Boston Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and other cities in New Jersey.

            Many found this organization quite objectionable for their promotion of the cause in Northern Ireland. Fundraising through expensive dinners, was their main source of income, a practice that continued into the 1990’s. These dinners were met with protest stemming from the British consulate in the city. Members of the United States Government also found this group objectionable. In 1972 NORAID had to register with the US State Department as an agent of a foreign organization, considering that many of its members were from Ireland. This group was under constant scrutiny and were subject to wiretapping, infiltration, and sometimes had their offices raided by officials.

            Politically, this group was not supported by Republican Administrations. This was due to their hardline stance and favor toward British security policy and tactics. Things thawed under Clinton when he spoke about reducing tensions through intervention, and negotiation. Additionally, this group backed candidates who were the best for the Irish cause.

Groups like this should not exist in the United States as they give legitimacy to outside groups which are engaged in violence abroad. This also lead to a weakening of relationships between states. Foreseeably, having domestic groups support the Irish cause, undermined the British security apparatus, and long-term goals. This creates an awkward diplomatic relationship between the two parties, such as the U.S. and Britain.

Although these groups should not exist, they are within their rights to do so, despite that they undermine diplomatic measures.  The First Amendment in the United States Constitution protects freedom of speech. We may find that what is being said or done objectionable, groups like NORAID have the right to state, and promote their ideas.