The second annual New York Irish Stand event takes to Riverside Church on St Patrick's Day Eve

On the eve of St Patrick’s Day 2018, grassroots immigration movement Irish Stand will return to the iconic Riverside Church in Manhattan to stand in solidarity with Dreamers, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups facing injustice, inequality, and fear in the US today.

Last year over 1,500 people gathered at the Manhattan Church, where Martin Luther King Jnr made his "Beyond Vietnam" speech, for an evening of resistance against the Irish American names taking part in what they believe is a racist and discriminatory administration. Names in the 2017 line up of activists and performers included Irish comedian Maeve Higgins, Irish author Colum McCann, MSNBC host Joy Reid; and author and son of Robert F. Kennedy, Max Kennedy. 

Read more: 2,500 Irish Stand in Manhattan to protest Trump’s immigration ban

In 2017 #IrishStand was born to help #resist.

We carried the true story of Ireland’s immigrant nation to Trump’s Irish-American support.

Our events in NYC & Dublin raised tens of thousands for immigrant causes.

And we’re back in NYC next March!

Ní neart go cur le chéile! ☘️ pic.twitter.com/NYzIidsaHS

— Irish Stand (@irishstand) December 28, 2017

This year hosted by CNN political contributor and author of "What's the Matter With White People?" Joan Walsh, Irish Stand plans to gather again in the Riverside Church with a line-up of speakers and performers on the 50th anniversary of RFK's announcement that he would run the US Presidency. 

"It's important for Irish Americans to reclaim our social justice tradition, and stand with the immigrants of all ethnicities and races who are under siege by Trump's white nativist administration," states Walsh.

"For too long our community has been represented by right-wing blowhards. I'm proud to take an Irish Stand on behalf of the strong, equitable multiracial democracy the United States is trying to be." 

As Irish politicians in Washington D.C. prepare to meet with Donald Trump for this year’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Irish Stand states their intention as a challenge to the Irish names within this White House administration to remember their own immigrant history. 

Read more: Irish pol on importance of standing up against Trump on St. Patrick’s Day in NYC

Think about this @VP and @SpeakerRyan when you fasten your green tie for St Patrick’s Day.
She won’t be going to Ireland now.#IrishStand https://t.co/UHBLv3z6n3

— Irish Stand (@irishstand) February 17, 2018

“A year ago, we had no idea what the Trump Administration would bring, but we came out strongly against the Muslim Ban,” says Irish Stand co-organizer Caroline Heafey.

“Now, in 2018, we feel an even stronger sense of urgency in advocating for the rights of all immigrants. We will not sit back and watch as this rhetoric of racism grows from the White House. We call upon anyone who cares about the future of this country to take an Irish Stand and support the NYCLU and all immigrants in a celebration of Ireland’s immigrant history.”

Irish Stand held its first event on St Patrick's Day 2017 at the Riverside Church in New York City. It was attended by 1,500 people and raised over $20,000 for the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). The second Irish Stand event, which was held in Dublin, turned its focus to Ireland, supporting the Irish Refugee Council’s Youth Direct Provision projects.

We’re taking an #IrishStand again for Civil Rights.
Join us in @RiversideNYC on March 16th for @NYCLU.#SeasAnFód 🇮🇪 🇺🇸
Tickets: https://t.co/W79EcnWg8T pic.twitter.com/SsWZmZ3yfc

— Irish Stand (@irishstand) February 16, 2018

Early Bird tickets are available for $15 on Eventbrite until February 23. General admission tickets are available at $20 and $8 tickets for students, seniors, and immigrants groups are also available through the Eventbrite link. 

Irish Stand will begin at 7.30pm on March 16, 2018, doors opening at 6pm.

Proceeds from the event will support the New York Civil Liberties Union and their work with immigrants.

Tickets and further information can be found here.