Independence Cymru and Alba

St. Louis Unites for “One” Ireland

In 1876 the City of St. Louis voted to secede from St. Louis County. Since that split over 130 years ago, the city and the county have operated independently. But recently representatives from both the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County found common ground to lend their support to the cause of a “united” Ireland.

The week prior to Saint Patrick’s Day the St. Louis County Council and the St. Louis Board of Aldermen both issued proclamations in support of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) call for “One Island, One Ireland with justice for all.” The proclamations were unanimously supported by all members of both bodies.

The St. Louis legislators called on the English and Irish governments to take immediate steps necessary to bring to “fullness the promises of all institutions called for and envisioned by the Good Friday agreement.”

The County Council resolution was co-sponsored by Councilmen Michael O’Mara and Steven Stenger and Councilwoman Kathleen Burkett. The resolution from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen was introduced by Alderman Stephen Conway and was co-sponsored by Aldermen Stephen Gregali, Fred Wessels, William Waterhouse, Kenneth Ortmann, Joseph Roddy, Matt Villa and Alderwomen Jennifer Florida and Donna Baringer.

Hibernians were present at the reading of both proclamations. Former AOH National President George Clough was invited by the President of the Board of Aldermen Lewis Reed to give the opening prayer at the weekly Board session prior to the presentation of the city’s proclamation.

Spearheading the proclamation effort in St. Louis for the AOH was St. Louis Municipal Court judge, the Honorable James Dailey Wahl, who is also the Freedom for All Ireland Chairman of AOH Division 1, Father Tim Dempsey Division. The St. Louis AOH was assisted in its efforts by the Emerald Society of Missouri Metro St. Louis Chapter and NORAID (St. Louis).

Wahl said that he was extremely pleased by the unanimous support that both bodies gave in support of the effort.

“What was extremely gratifying was the support we received from the aldermen representing some of the other large ethic groups in the city, especially the African-American and Italian-American reps,” said Wahl. “There also there was a great deal of support from the St. Louis Labor Community”

But the effort is not stopping with the City and the County governments. Wahl said that there is growing groundswell of support from numerous cities and municipalities throughout the St. Louis region wanting to endorse the effort for a “united” Ireland.