DONEGAL welcomes U.S peace activist this Fri, + Outdoor Summer Social: all welcome!

donegal | anti-war / imperialism | news report Monday August 25, 2003 12:44 by Ruairi - Donegal Peace Group muscailt at yahoo dot com

Get yer bums up to the magical Dun Na Ngall

THIS FRIDAY (August 29th) the Donegal Peace Group will host U.S anti-war activist, Karen Conaghan. The forum will follow the successful night with Nuin Dunlop and Ciaron O'Reilly of the Catholic Worker Movement and Pitstop Ploughshares (http://www.ploughsharesireland.org) and seek to develop ways forward for the local-global alternatives to war,greed, poverty and injustice.
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Following the forum the momentum will gather at the OUTDOOR SOCIAL GATHERING at a natural setting near Donegal Town. All are welcome and advised to bring a tent, some food, musical instruments etc. So, get a groove on and cruise on up to Donegal!!!!!

Karen Conaghan, Second Flag Salute (USA)
FRIDAY AUGUST 29th, 7.30pm Central Hotel, Donegal Town

Karen Conaghan was born in County Donegal, has lived in Philadelphia for most of her life and considers both places home. Karen is the co-founder of Second Flag Salute, a U.S website and organization that offers an outlet for safe and free political expression. She is heavily involved in the American anti-war movement and is gearing up to oppose to the re-election of George W. Bush next year.

She works for a non-profit, environmental organisation and teaches a night class entited "Modern Irish Poltics and Cultural Identity". She holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Political Science from Temple University in Philadelphia. Her expertise areas are Campaign Organising and Policy Analysis.

Elizabeth Stamm, Second Flag Salute (USA) Elizabeth Stamm is a regular columnist and co-founder of Second Flag Salute. As a native of the United States, she received her bachelor's degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.

Currently running a program at a non-profit that battles housing discrimination, Elizabeth is an advocate for persons with disabilities and for the immigration population. Through her studies, outreach, and extensive international travel, Elizabeth focuses on international human rights and U.S.-Mexican relations. She currently resides outside of Philadelphia, Pa.

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FRIDAY AUG. 29th, 10pm – SUMMER SOCIAL GATHERING: -Rural location near Donegal Town

Outdoor Social Gathering: bonfire, food, music, dancing, singing & craic. All are invited and asked to bring camping equipment and musical instruments. =================================================Contact information:

>> Articles, interviews, profiles etc. welcome.

Donegal Peace Group: Tel. 087 9213200
Email: muscailt@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.donegalforum.com
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Karen Conaghan / Elizabeth Stamm* (Second Flag Salute): Email: kayce1027@aol.com Email: secondflagsalute@yahoo.com Web: http://www.secondflagsalute.org

Date: August 29, 2003
Web: http://www.donegalforum.com
Email: muscailt@yahoo.com
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MORE INFORMATION ON KAREN CONAGHAN

"I was born in Letterkenny, although my dad is from Mountcharles and my mum is from Dunkineely. I came to the States when I was about one years old, and have been back to Donegal almost every summer of my life, and sometimes twice a year. My entire extended family lives in Donegal, except for one aunt and uncle in Philadelphia, and a cousin in Dublin.
I think being an Irish-American is a really unique identity. There are times when you don't feel Irish enough for the Irish, and not American enough for the Americans. But, I think it's wonderful to be able to see things on a bigger, global scale. Many Americans are extremely sheltered, and it's not their fault. If you think about it, the United States is, in effect, an island nation with a friendly neighbor to the north and a friendly neighbor to the south. The rest of the world is not emphasized when you are growing up in America. All you know is what you're taught, which is basically, America is the best country in the world. That's the mantra. Although, we're never given any reason why that is so, except for "America is free. You can do things here that you can't do anywhere else". So, it's not really Americans' fault that they have no idea what's going on overseas. It might as well be another planet to some of them. Especially since 9/11....there's this whole new "American" identity. Before 9/11, really nobody was calling themselves "American", even those who were born, raised, and have been in America for generations. They were Italian, or Irish, or Greek, or what have you. Now, they're American. That tragedy brought about this whole new identity that really didn't exist in the way it does today. Maybe it made them realize they actually love their country. Or maybe they just wanted to belong to this group of people who were being sympathized for around the world. I don't really know.

I think the Irish-American connection, especially where I come from in Philadelphia, is great. My family is extremely active in every Irish community event in the city, and it's amazing how involved people are, and how much non-Irish people appreciate the Irish culture. Americans can be very curious to other cultures, depending. But, the Irish culture is definitely one that Americans have an affinity for. They see it as fun and musical and just a very rich identity. I can't speak about how the Irish view Americans, I've had positive and negative reactions to my American accent while I've been in Ireland, but that is normal, I think. The same thing happens in the States to foreigners."