Should the Easter Lilly be given equal status as the Poppy?

The Easter Commemoration & Celtic FC Campaign

Celtic FC should pay tribute to both The Easter Commemoration of 1916 and Remembrance Day in equal measure, without favour or prejudice. Respect,parity of esteem and equality,nothing more nothing less.

About

Celtic FC/PLC have chosen in recent years, including this season, 2010-2011, to controversially display Lord Earl Haig's symbol of the British Poppy on our famous green & white hoops. Furthermore, each November we are obliged to stand in silence honouring the memory of British servicemen from all their campaigns and be thankfull for the sacrifice made on our behalf. From the gallant and brave British soldiers, that fought and died defeating fascism/nazism, to the murdereous Black and Tans, whom so readily and willing brought unwanton death, destruction, and suffering to the people of Ireland, we are all meant to be grateful. Alas, the Poppy makes no distinction of valour, and accordingly, neither shall we.

Suprisingly for a club so steeped in Irish heritage Celtic FC/PLC show no respect whatsoever to the Easter Commemoration, no flag at half mast, no minutes silence and no Easter lilly on the jersey.

However, we're not in competition with Remembrance Day or the Poppy. The significance of the occasion and the symbolic resonance for the British people is easy to understand. Likewise, the Scots born ethnic Irish diaspora, that make up the vast majority of Celtic support, want the club to show the same respect for the Easter Commemoration.

The vast majority of the Celtic support is proud of it's Irish heritage and this is another reason why the Easter Commemoration is important to us. We recognise the difficulties involved in Celtic FC/PLC will have putting this motion into practice because of Scotlands anti Irish racist mindset both past and present.

At the heart of this issue is parity of esteem, equality and justice, without which the seeds of doubt and mistrust between our communities both Scottish-British and Irish-Scots remain set to continue unabated for future generations to come.

The time has come for change. Celtic FC/PLC has a moral obligation to represent the Scots born ethnic Irish diasporas' quest for equality in Scotland, and a precedent has already been struck in this regard. In the past, Celtic almost paid the ultimate price when high above Celtic Park, the Irish Republic's tricolour was hoisted up alongside the Union flag. This symbolic gesture led to Celtic FC being threatened with expulsion from the Scottish Football League, unless of course they took the Irish flag down from the mast at once. Having refused to comply, Celtic FC stood their ground, and the battle was won. Unfortunately, almost a century later, the war for equality and parity of esteem goes on.

The principles at stake surrounding Remembrance Day and the Easter Commemoration are the same. One without the other is not an option and Celtic FC/PLC should be taken to task over this since the argument against is fundamentally flawed and even immoral. Pandering to Scottish racists is the cowards way out. We call on Celtic FC/PLC and the Irish diaspora Celtic support to demand parity of esteem.

Let us not forget the National Easter Day Commemoration is an official Irish Government state occasion. Easter Lilly wreaths are laid all over Ireland. In America, and all over the world, flags fly at half mast in tribute to the fallen. In Scotland there are no official tributes of any kind despite one of the leaders of the Irish revolution, James Connolly, being born here in Edinburgh.

Celtic FC/PLC should approach the Easter Commemoration with the same reverence as they clearly demonstrate for Remembrance Day. Brother Walfrid, John Glass and John Ferguson, the main founders of our club, would not accept anything less than equality and parity of esteem for the Irish Scots, and neither should our present day incumbent custodians.

Help us bring about the necessary change in attitudes and perceptions. Anti Irish racism should no longer be tolerated in Scotland. Celtic FC/PLC have a moral obligation to represent the Irish diaspora and respect both the Easter Commemoration and Remembrance Day in equal measure, without favour or prejudice, nothing more nothing less
Positions

1. Equality and parity of esteem for the Scots born ethnic Irish diaspora that make up the body politic of the Celtic support.
2. Celtic FC/PLC have a moral obligation to respect both the Easter Commemoration and Remembrance Day in equal measure, without favour or prejudice.
3. Celtic FC/PLC should show the same respect for both British and Irish symbols. The Poppy and Lilly should be treated as equal symbols.

sign up here: http://www.causes.com/causes/576956-the-easter-lilly-the-celtic-fc-jersey-campaign/about?m=04f08e1a

 

As i made it clear in another thread, whats so controversial about the poppy. Scotland is a part of Great Britain, like it or not, Celtic is based in Scotland, which is a part of Great Britain. Scotland were in WW1 WW2 and many fight with the British forces nowadays.
For all the people who died, my family in ww1 and ww2, it gives me pride that i see the poppy.

But for this Lilly, if it is for the rememberence of Brother Walfird and what he did, i see nothing wrong with it, but its up to the club.

 

I was gonna vote no (and i wear a lilly every year with pride) but since you put it so well i voted yes.

Well said radup

 

I voted yes but think neither should be an issue to Celtic.

 

a voted yes my only problem would be the abuse we would get from journalists who dont understanding the meaning of it and try to say that we are supporting terrorism because that is what they would do

 

Flowers and Celtic Football Club .I see the connection.

 

sorry read it wrong, thought you said should it be on our tops. thats why i voted no, i'd rather have neither actually.

 

Easter Lily is never going to be put on a top in Britain, I'm afraid. My personal thoughts are that I wouldn't be for or against it.

 

can't argue for or against but clicked no because of how completely different they are.

 

I think it's a great idea. Is the Great Hunger badge still on the jersey's every year? It should be if it isn't.

 

yes we do have our irish roots and our connections with ireland , remembering irelands deads would sound goof , but it would cause controversy with the media ect no doubt . I voted yes but i cant see it being put on our jersey

 

This is just as bad as trying to force people to accept a poppy imo.Get these flowers to * away from football because all it does is make us start arguing amongst ourselves.

 

Yes

 

It's already got more than equal status in my eyes. I have an Easter Lily badge but I never wear a poppy.

 

I'm an Irishman and I wear my Lilly every year with pride but it has no connection to our football club and it should be kept that way. If you want to honour our * dead then lets have a wreath laying ceremony or something before kick off in the game closest to Easter.

 

Big difference in the Poppy and Easter Lily.

Poppy = Fundraiser.

Lily = Remembrance.

 

It should be on it, but i don't like how we are only putting it on because the poppy was on it. It should have always been on it. We never pushed for it to be on the jersey because we respected people may not like it, but then others forced the poppy on it not giving two * about who may disagree with it and so we have a campaign now.

 

if we have to wear the poppy, then why can't we wear the easter lily?

i dont think many celtc fans would argue against it... if so i don't know why they would.

 

Neither have anything to do with Celtic, should stay away from the shirts.

 

What about rights for the Easter Bunny?


is this not being a bit reactionary? where does it stop? My family are from various parts of Ireland and we hold Ireland dear to our hearts, but if it is in reaction to the poppy then it is an instant no because it would be displayed as a reactive action as opposed to a proactive action.