Martin O'Malley Recites Poem About Immigrants On 4th Of July, Released Copy In Support Of Protesters

Last edited Fri Jul 10, 2015, 03:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Martin O'Malley ?@MartinOMalley
A poem close to my heart. All Americans have talents, passions & sacrifices we should embrace. #FamiliesFightBack

Presidential candidate Governor Martin O'Malley released a statement on Friday in support of pro-immigrant protesters rallying outside of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals:

"Today, in solidarity with the thousands of New Americans rallying outside of the New Orleans district court where oral arguments on DACA + and DAPA will begin, Governor O'Malley offered the following poem by Eavan Boland, which he read in Iowa on the 4th of July:

(from July 4th) Telegraph Herald@TelegraphHerald
@MartinOMalley recites - from memory - poem about immigration. Remarks end with "Happy 4th of July." #iacaucus

THE EMIGRANT IRISH

Like oil lamps, we put them out the back -
of our houses, of our minds. We had lights
better than, newer than and then
a time came, this time and now
we need them. Their dread, makeshift example:
they would have thrived on our necessities.
What they survived we could not even live.
By their lights now it is time to
imagine how they stood there, what they stood with,
that their possessions may become our power:
Cardboard. Iron. Their hardships parceled in them.
Patience. Fortitude. Long-suffering
in the bruise-colored dusk of the New World.
And all the old songs. And nothing to lose.

- Eavan Boland (Ireland, 1944-)

related:


Immigrant supporters rally outside the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday morning. This comes ahead of a key federal court hearing that will decide if an injunction will be lifted that has put some crucial immigration initiatives on hold.

Meet The Immigrants Who Are Asking The 5th Circuit To Stop Their Families’ Deportation