Sinn Fein’s vice chairman has stated her laying a wreath to mark the Battle of the Somme sends out a robust message that she desires to be a frontrunner for all in Northern Ireland.
While Sinn Fein lord mayors in Belfast have laid laurel wreaths on the anniversary of the First World War battle in earlier years, Friday was the primary event a member of the celebration’s management has taken half.
Ms O’Neill joined present Sinn Fein Lord Mayor Tina Black to put a wreath on Friday morning, two hours forward of the official commemorative occasion marking the primary day of the battle in 1916.
The two republican politicians stood in silence in entrance of the Cenotaph after laying the wreath for individuals who died.
The Sinn Fein Stormont chief, who shall be entitled to be nominated as First Minister when and if powersharing is resurrected, stated her attendance was proof of her dedication to work for everybody in society.
The Battle of the Somme was one of many largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War.
It noticed the thirty sixth Ulster Division and the sixteenth Irish Division, representing the 2 most important traditions from the north of Ireland, distinguish themselves, however at an ideal price.
The battle has assumed main symbolic significance for the unionist neighborhood in Northern Ireland.
“I said throughout the election campaign that I wanted to be a first minister for all and I hope that today’s attendance and the laying of a wreath is actually a demonstration of someone who wants to work for all in our community,” Ms O’Neill instructed reporters on Friday.
“I think as political leaders, we have a responsibility to reach beyond our comfort zones and actually reach out the hand of friendship, and to try to do whatever we can in terms of leadership in terms of healing the wounds of the past.
“So, I’m very pleased to be here this morning to have laid a wreath in terms of all those lives lost.”
Last July, the then deputy first minister joined then first minister Paul Givan of the DUP on the Irish National War Memorial at Islandbridge in Dublin to recollect those that fell on the Somme.
That was then the primary time the Sinn Fein politician had attended a Royal British Legion wreath-laying ceremony.
Ms O’Neill declined to be drawn on Friday when requested why she was ready to attend an official occasion in Dublin however not in Belfast.
“I don’t think we should get distracted from the fact that this is quite significant, the fact that I have laid a wreath this morning, along with our mayor Tina Black,” she stated.
“I’m doing so to be respectful, I’m doing so to actually try to reach out the hand of friendship to actually show political leadership. And I think that will not be lost in the wider public.”
She added: “I hope that sends out a strong message that I do genuinely want to lead for everybody in this society.”
Ms O’Neill additionally was not drawn on whether or not Sinn Fein would take into account attending official Somme commemorations in Belfast sooner or later.
Asked whether or not she felt her gestures have been being reciprocated by political unionism, she stated: “What I’m doing today is not about reciprocation, it’s actually about demonstrating respect and my leadership, and what I’m determined to do, regardless of what others decide to do.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk