A MODERN WHITEWASH
The Criminal History and Legacy of the Artane Boys Band and the Immorality and Ethic of its reincarnation through the Artane School of Music.
AND THE BAND PLAYED ON...
The Artane Band is the last remaining link to the horrors that took place in Artane Industrial School, Dublin - run by the Christian Brothers. The band's continuous existence is a reactivation and trigger for those of us who suffered horrendous ordeals at the hands of Christian Brother child sex abusers who ran many of the States Industrial schools.
The present band continues to airbrush out its past and to deny its origins within the industrial school system, even though, its uniform and insignia are directly connected to and originated in the Artane Industrial School for boys. At the present time the Christian Brothers and the GAA are joint Trustees of the Artane School of Music which was established 1998. |
The latest manifestation of indifference towards the feelings of those abused by the Christian Brothers is the insistence on not just maintaining, but celebrating the Artane Boys Band. For many men and their families the Artane Band is a stark reminder of the brutality visited upon them as children and it is hard to understand why anybody would want a new generation of young people to march under a banner tarnished by such an ugly history of violence and abuse.
Out of respect for the abused children of the past and the innocent participants of the present, it is time to disband the Artane band. Please support our campaign and sign our petition. Thank you. |