"The night before the ceremony, I had sought refuge in place called The Class Reunion, which I recall hazily as being somewhere in the vicinity of Capitol Hill. I fell into conversation with two gloomy souls from the Irish embassy. They explained to me that their moods had been darkened, their mellows harshed, by the news that some hayshaking Bible-banging Congressman had invited Rev. Ian Paisley to the inauguration."
"American conservative Erika Kirk is expected to visit Northern Ireland as part of a tour to recruit young people to Turning Point, the organization founded by her murdered husband. Talks are under way for a wider European tour by Mrs. Kirk, now CEO of the right-wing think tank that hosts events for students in school and university campuses across the U.S."
"It is understood that the former DUP MP Ian Paisley, who has close links with U.S. conservatives, has been consulted about setting up a branch of Turning Point in Northern Ireland and has been "encouraging" the move. The group focuses on recruiting students and young adults, aged 15 to 25, as activists to carry forward their Christian-right ethos."
In 1981, Rev. Ian Paisley, a virulently anti-Catholic Unionist during the Troubles, was invited to President Reagan's inauguration, provoking dismay among Irish diplomats. Paisley later forged a friendship with Sinn Féin leader Martin McGuinness and became associated with efforts that helped end violence in Northern Ireland. American conservative Erika Kirk, CEO of Turning Point, is expected to tour Northern Ireland to recruit young people, with talks of a wider European tour. Former DUP MP Ian Paisley has been consulted and reportedly encouraged establishing a Turning Point branch in Northern Ireland. Concerns arise that importing a U.S. Christian-right activist organization could inflame tensions amid constitutional discussions.
Read at Esquire
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