Brendan Fay recalls early Drogheda influences and a campaign planned in Cairbre’s pub
The gay rights activist and nuclear disarmament advocate, Drogheda man Brendan Fay, joined members of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) in New York recently for a commemoration of the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Fay joined with the various members of ICAN in honouring the New York nuclear disarmament heroes and urged Corey Johnson, the Speaker of the New York City Council, to reaffirm NYC as a nuclear weapons free zone. Speakers also included representatives of the Catholic Worker, Rise and Resist and local Peace groups.
Fay, who has lived in New York for many years, also highlighted the global leadership of Ireland’s Ambassador to the United Nations and future Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason who is also from Drogheda.
Fay told Drogheda Life that he had been active with the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Drogheda prior to his immigration to New York.
“One of my first campaigns in the 80s was organized at Bean Ui Cairbre’s pub with Eoghan Heussaff. We challenged MEP political candidates who were in Drogheda for votes.
“They were surprised that two fellas from Drogheda were aware of the Sellafield nuclear site threat and disarmament concerns.
“It was a time of growing awareness to become active and make a difference in the world. I was influenced by the women of Greenham Common Peace Camp, Henry McNamara of the Drogheda Augustinians and CND pioneer Bruce Kent.”
“As LGBTQ+ New Yorkers we join the rest of the human family in raising our voices to demand a world without nuclear weapons, for the sake of the children, for a future of hope.
“On this 76th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki we say there is no Pride in bomb production. There is no Pride in raising the rainbow flag while investing in weapons of death.
Brendan Fay holding a poster of African American Civil rights leader and nuclear disarmament advocate Bayard Rustin.
Other speakers at the New York event included Michie Takeuchi, second generation Hiroshima Hibakusha survivor, Bud Courtney of the Catholic Worker, Seth Shelden, ICAN representative at the United Nations and Brendan Fay event ograniser with NYCAN (New York Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons).
Following the Peace Vigil Brendan Fay, Robert Croonquist and Linda Chapman delivered a letter to City Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s office at 250 Broadway close by 270 Broadway where the MANHATTAN PROJECT began.
Fay said they are determined to see the legislation pass this session and that it becomes the legacy of New York City in 2021.
Resolution 976 calls on the Comptroller to instruct pension funds to divest from companies involved in the production of nuclear weapons (approximately $475 million dollars) and re-affirms New York City as a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone. Introduction 1621 establishes a Nuclear Disarmament Advisory Committee to advise the City Council.
