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The Plough
(Web site http://www.theplough.netfirms.com/)
Vol. 4- No 14
Monday 28th May 2007
E-mail newsletter of the
Irish Republican Socialist Party
1) Republicans United?
2) Media lies. 1
3) Media lies 2
4) Hunger strike speech in Derry
5) RYSM Hunger Strike Speech
6) Anti Drugs Rally in the Short Strand
7) Labour news
8) Letters
9) What’s On
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Republicans United?
Early this month a meeting took place in Derry of various republican
organisations
The meeting which was well attended went well and was conducted in a
fraternal and open manner. indeed, The main speakers were Gerry
Ruddy from the IRSP, Marion Price from the 32CSM, and former SF
director of elections Tony Catney as well as the Chairman of the Ex
POW's and Concerned Republicans against RUC/PSNI Danny McBrearty.
The meeting was chaired by former MLA and founder member of the
provisional IRA, John Kelly. Also on the platform but not a speaker
was former IRSP spokesperson Kevin McQuillan.
Gerry Ruddy from the IRSP made the following points,
“We are very clear that republicanism has suffered a defeat. The war
is over and those who have, any lingering thoughts on re-commencing
with a view to victory are deluded. Class struggle is the only
option. Those who ignore the class question and stand alone on their
“republican principles” stand condemned to remain in splendid
isolation. We now live in different times and the old certainties
now no longer hold. We all on the left need to forget our petty
differences and become relevant to the lives of the working classes
in Ireland while keeping alive our vision of socialism.
The IRSP has always said that the class and national question cannot
be separated. Of course we do want to build bridges with other
republicans and have positive proposals to put forward to build
bridges. We, in the spirit of the broad front policy first advocated
by our founder Seamus Costello, will work with progressive forces on
working class issues. That and that alone is the way forward for
progressives from the labour, socialist and republican traditions
No republican or socialist can afford to ignore the growing unrest
in the industrial field. Workers are increasingly frustrated by the
rise in the cost of living, the huge cost in home buying the lack of
affordable social housing and the low wages and exploitation of the
increasing migrant population in all of Ireland. Republicans cannot
stand back from this struggle. We need to win leadership of working
class struggles and that requires hard class work. Neither the Party
nor any other section of the movement can afford to have passengers
drifting along until there is a crisis say every12th July or we
march up the Falls Road.
By our work we can reach out to others who will be impressed by both
our work and our analysis of political situation. We need to reach
out now not just to other republicans but to new generations of
young people becoming interested in politics for the first time.
Our key positions are as follows:
1) We do want to build bridges with other republicans and make a
proposal re Wolfe Tone commemoration.
2) We will work with progressive forces from where-ever on working
class issues that help to raise the class-consciousness of the
class.
3) The republican struggle since 1969 has suffered a defeat.
4) The war is over and the conditions do not exist for re-starting
the war.
5) In the new conditions the only way forward is the political road.
6) The RSM say that class struggle is the only option and all
republican socialists must throw themselves into working class
struggles.
7) Negative campaigning against what ever is counterproductive.
8) Republicanism needs to renew itself if it is to be relevant in
the 21st century.
9) The RSM say that without class struggle being central to the
republican perspective then republicanism itself will become
irrelevant
10) We reach out the hand of friendship and comradeship out to
others but clearly set our way forward”
He then proposed the following motion which met with widespread
approval.
“That this year a Wolfe Tone Commemoration be held at Bodenstown
under the title “Republicans United” and that the IRSP, 32SC and
Concerned Republicans agree to host the event.
Each organisation is entitled to a speaker for five minutes each,
and an organising committee composed of equal representatives from
each organisation take responsibility for organising the event
(route, Chair colour party, bands speaking equipment, speakers,
publicity and marshalling.)
Each group agrees to make no negative comments about other
republicans in their speech but concentrates on the legacy of Tone
and the future of republicanism
An open invitation be extended to other republican organisations to
affiliate to “Republicans United” and take up speaking rights as
designated above.
That this be considered a one off event with a follow up meeting to
take place after the event to review assess and make recommendations
to each affiliated organisation.
All decisions be on the basis of consensus.
Proposed
IRSP
In the course of the subsequent discussions from the floor, Ruddy
emphasised the class struggle, made clear that the IRSP was not an
abstentionist party, that the IRSP were not interested in launching
any new mark two provo front, launched a fierce attack on Irish
nationalism as a tool for control of the national struggle by
bourgeois and petty bourgeoise elements in cahoots with the
leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. He also outlined the IRSP
position on anti social behaviour, saying that they were not there
to police working class youth. Ruddy re-iterated the
internationalism inherent in republicanism and in correcting other
speakers from the floor pointed out that the IRSP position on the
use of force was tactical.
Danny McBrearty spoke about the Ex POW's and Concerned Republicans
against
RUC/PSNI and how they were set up and what they were about.
Marion Price also spoke and reiterated the 32CSM ‘ position as
outlined in their document, Brendan Hughes spoke by telephone and
deplored what was happening at Stormont. Tony Catney then spoke
about various important issues most notably Republican Unity.
While all were encouraged by the meeting no one should have any
illusions that unity is just around the corner. It is not . While
the main task of work for the IRSP is to build the party we are
prepared to work on a short term basis with other forces, hence the
proposal to have a united Wolfe Tone march. Tone was the founding
father of Irish Republicanism and it is a bit of a mockery to see
different factions of Republicans all marching on their own as if
they and they alone have the way the truth and the light about
republicanism. Let us see if this small step works and then evaluate
and see how best to develop from this small step.
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Media lies. 1
On Sunday May 20th the British newspaper the Observer carried a
story by Henry McDonald on foot of the Derry conference in which
McDonald made a number of absurd statements basically saying that
the INLA , the CIRA and the RIRA had come together in unity and were
announcing a ceasefire. As there are very clear differences between
all these organisations and the INLA is already on ceasefire it is
clear that the McDonald article was clearly designed to stop the
small political movement made by the Derry conference by linking it
with armed groups and maybe turning off those who see no benefit in
being associated with armed groups. It seems it was also designed to
confuse those within those organisations and sow dissent and
suspicion. All republicans should beware those who like McDonald
make wild assertions without any factual basis whatsoever, spread
half truths and distortions of events without trying to find out the
truth. It is wise for all republicans and socialists to remember
that before reaching conclusions the first task is to seek out the
facts. Otherwise one is entitled to ask whose agenda is being served
by the spread of gossip, innuendo and half truths?
Media lies. 2
Recently the Irish News carried a sensationalist front page story
stating that leaders of the IRA, the INLA the UDA and the UVF had
met in public for the first time at a launch of the Belfast
Reconciliation Network on Wednesday 16th May 2007 in the Radisson
Hotel, Gasworks, Belfast. For the record no representative of the
INLA attended that meeting. The Belfast Reconciliation Network had
sent an invitation to two members of Teach na Failte to attend the
launch which they did. Neither Teach na Failte nor the Republican
Socialist movement had been involved in any way with the formation
or setting up of the BRN and knew little about it until they
actually attended the launch. At the launch despite the presence of
members of loyalist organisations on the platform along with Martin
McAleese, husband of the Irish President Mary McAleese it was clear
that the BRN was nationalist based and dominated by organisations
close to the Provisional Republican Movement.
The incident shows the extend that members of the 4th estate will go
to to allow themselves to be manipulated by the PRM.
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Hunger strike speech in Derry
The following speech was delivered by Ard-Comhairle member Tomas
Gorman in Derry on May 20th 2007.
I'll start by thanking the organisers of today's event for giving me
the honour of speaking at today's commemoration of the 1981 Hunger
Strike Martyrs. The magnitude of the 1981 Hunger Strikes is such
that it impacts on us even today. We stand here in proud memory of
the ten young martyrs. They gave their lives so that their struggle
for Irish self determination and independence would be recognised as
legitimate and be console ourselves somewhat in the knowledge that
they were right in their struggle and today, they remain
incorruptible.
Sadly we remain further from the Republic today than we were in
1981. Radical Republican Socialism has suffered a staggering defeat
with the Britain incorporating a section of the Republican family
into the administration of imperialism in Stormont. The British have
put manners on PSF who now sit contently as clients of British
Occupation with the same mild Nationalism that brought scorn from
republicans towards the SDLP.
A Westminster govt that claims to have no strategic interest in
holding the 6-counties, decides to build a new MI5 outpost in Co
Down. It would appear that the British have lied again and why
should we be surprised. They have no interest in an independent
Socialist Republic and have manipulated the landscape here to such a
form that they have no such fears for the foreseeable future.
A southern government expresses its republicanism through
backhanders and favours. A corruption soaked morass that drips money
while the welfare system crumbles was not the vision of the 1916
martyrs and FF should claim no lineage to them.
The DUP now are where they have wanted it to be.. Lording over a "normalised"
Northern Ireland with an accepted veto over any changes in their
very comfortable status quo. And this is being lauded as the
irreversible momentum towards the unity of the island. Some people
do seem to live in a looking glass world. We on the other hand live
in the reality of this new dispensation. Ireland is now a cold house
for Republicanism.
The deeds of 1981 offers us some strength as we struggle for new
ways to further the republic today and one aspect of the Hunger
Strike strikes me as particularly poignant and that is the unity of
action that the Republican Prisoners applied to their prison
struggle. They found a common cause and they cooperated closely to
maximise the impact of their actions. It is an aspect of the 81
hunger strike that we must take heed off today as we try hard to
make our voice heard.
That is not to say that we rush headlong into a union where
pragmatism outweighs principle. It is important that we retain our
values and structures as Republican Socialists within our own
movement. We must build our movement and maintain our twin goals of
national liberation and Socialism but we must also build bridges
towards other Republicans and anti imperialists so that we can act
in unity on issues upon which we find common ground. Prisoners
rights, social issues, trade union issues, issues where the
interests of capital are put before the needs of the people. By
doing this we might advance the unity of Republican and anti
imperialist forces in Ireland behind the issues that affect people
hence capturing their support.
We in the RSM clearly state clearly that the class struggle will be
the only way that Republicanism will ever be successful. Much like
the Republican movement found itself in the late 50's, we find
ourselves needing to reassess our strategy and that strategy must be
to connect with those whom we claim to act on behalf of, and that is
through the a multifaceted, coordinated class struggle. We implore
all young republicans to join us on this course. It is perhaps not
the easiest course but it is the most worthwhile.
For our struggle and struggle of the 81 men and all the rest of
those who have contributed to and sacrificed themselves for
,continues today. Lets all leave this cemetery today and spare a
thought for all our fallen martyrs.. and also spare another thought
for how you as individual will contribute to furthering the struggle
for the Republic. Will you organise in your community, your cumann,
your trade union branch? Will you do nothing?
Whatever you choose to do, always remember the commitment and
sacrifice and solidarity shown by the Hunger Strike Martyrs to each
other and to us....and let that thought spur us ever onwards.
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RYSM HUNGER STRIKE SPEECH
The following statement was delivered by James McDaid of Derry
Republican Socialist Youth Movement at the IRSM national hunger
strike commemoration on the 20^th of May, 2007.
We gather here once more to commemorate our martyrs, an everlasting
inspiration to the youth of this nation. In commemorating them we
rededicate ourselves to the politics they stood for. The politics
and painstaking analysis of the Republican Socialist Movement is
becoming increasingly relevant with each passing day. We correctly
predicted that Provisional Sinn Féin, because of the class they
serve, would be forced to eventually defend that class. They have
now endorsed the armed wing of the capitalist ruling class. But,
comrades, this struggle isn’t and wasn’t about creating nationalist
millionaires or reforming the northern statelet.
The northern statelet cannot be reformed. It must be smashed along
with any manifestation of its sectarian existence. We won’t be
forced into any sort of compromise in exchange for positions within
British rule or for the promise of Saxon shillings.
With that in mind, we would urge those who are genuine about
elevating the working class struggle to become involved, to become
active and to finish the work our martyred comrades began.
www.rsym.org
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Anti Drugs Rally in the Short Strand
An estimated 200 people attended an anti-drugs rally in the Short
Strand on Friday May 25th. The rally was called after the Republican
Socialist Movement in the area had taken a hard line stance against
drug dealers pushing their illicit dealings onto children and
others. Drugs cause severe health problems such as damage to liver
and kidneys, diabetes in later life and impotence- Severe mental
health problems such as schizophrenia and depression- Cause many
users to get into financial debt in situations where money is owed
to dealers. Users will then be forced into committing crimes against
their community and often against their own families to deal with
this debt and to feed their habit. Drugs cause many young people to
take their own lives due to their lives being destroyed by debts,
addiction and both physical and mental health problems caused by
drug abuse
Speaking after the rally Short Strand IRSP representative Gerard
Forward said
“We can see from the numbers assembled here that there is a clear
opposition to drug dealers from within our community.
“For too long working class communities have suffered under the
plight
of drug dealers – often employed by the RUC/PSNI as informers. It is
time the community took a stand against drug dealers.
“The dangers of all drugs – including cannabis should be exposed for
all
to see. Cannabis often serves as a gateway drug and aggravates
mental conditions. Drug dealers are responsible for an array of
social problems. From breaking up families to forcing teenagers to
carry out robberies to fund their addiction.”
Mr. Forward concluded “The position of the Republican Socialist
Movement
as a whole is clear. We will not accept or tolerate drug dealers in
our
areas.”
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Labour news
CHILE: FORESTRY WORKER KILLED
Last week, 26 year old Rodrigo Alexis Cisternas, a forestry worker
in Chile was shot three times by police, and died. He was killed
during a strike involving 7,000 workers. His union (and the global
union federation representing forestry workers, the BWI) are asking
all of us to take a moment and send a message to the Chilean
government demanding an investigation of this crime, and to ensure
that workers' rights are respected. Please take a moment to send off
your message -- and to pass this on to others:
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c
=247
VIETNAM: UNION LEADERS JAILED
Five leading members of the newly formed United Workers-Farmers
Organization (UWFO) of Vietnam have been arrested and remain in
detention. It is not known if any of them have been charged with any
offence. Independent trade unions are banned in Vietnam. Please
support Amnesty International's appeal for action:
http://web.amnesty.org/appeals/index/vnm-010507-wwa-eng
***
EGYPT: WORKERS' RIGHTS ORGANIZATION ATTACKED
CTUWS is an independent civil society organisation in Egypt whose
role is to develop independent trade unions which can defend
workers' rights. One of its branches has just been closed by the
government and another threatened with closure. For more details and
ideas on how you can protest, go here:
http://www.unison.org.uk/international/pages_view.asp?did=5186
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UK: CONFERENCE ON WORKERS' RIGHTS, TRADE UNIONISM AND GLOBAL
SOLIDARITY
The Southern and Eastern Region TUC is holding a free conference on
this theme on Saturday, June 2nd. We hope to see many of you there.
Full details are here:
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http://www.tuc.org.uk/events/detail.cfm?event=2779®ional=7
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Help needed for Medical Brigade leader speaking tour
Do you want to host a meeting with one of the leaders of Cuba's
emergency medical brigades? Are you able to help promote the tour in
your region?
CSC has just received confirmation that Dr Juan Carlos Dupuy Núñez,
leader of the Cuban medical brigade, which treated 1.7 million
people after the Pakistan earthquake in 2005, will be with us in the
UK from Wednesday 30 May - Tuesday 19 June 2007.
Please contact Rob Miller, CSC Director or Natasha Hickman CSC
Communications Manager on 020 7263 6452, email
director@cuba-solidarity.org.uk if you can help.
Full details at:
http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/news.asp?ItemID=1079
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COSTA RICA: CHIQUITA SACKS WORKERS WHO REPORTED POISONING
If you ran a business and some of your employees came to tell you
thatworkers were being sprayed with a toxic chemical, wouldn't you
listen to them? And if it turned out to be true, wouldn't you praise
them for reporting the problem? That's not what Chiquita, one of the
world's biggest and best known fruit companies, did. Instead, they
have sacked two union members (Alexander Reyes and Marcos Borge) and
ignored their warnings. They've refused to negotiate with the union,
which has called for an international campaign of protest. Please
take a moment to send off your message:
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c
=251
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Letters
Marion Baur -The Flax Mill-Derrylane-Dungiven BT 47 4QD- Tel.
02877742655-Mail: flaxmill@gmx.net-Dungiven, My 20th 2007
I hope this letter finds you well.
During the May-Day-Festival of the trade unions at St. George’s
market in Belfast the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) had taken a
stall. It was the first time the world’s largest campaigning
organisation against child-labour and the partially horrific
conditions in the world-wide garment industry was present in an
Irish city. Surprising, one might think, given the huge tradition of
textile manufacturing especially in the North of this island.
I had organised the stall together with my husband who works at Flax
Mill and some friends.
Following from the many discussions around the stall; we have
decided to call a meeting on Saturday, June 9th, starting at 4 pm
here at the Flax Mill.
We want to explore the possibilities of starting a branch of the CCC
and to see whether there is enough common ground amongst politically
involved people, trade unionists and those who reject child- and
sweat -shop labour and exploitation in the garment industry for
ethical and religious reasons – Ireland should not fall behind all
other European countries, where the CCC is now active.
I also think that manufacturers of textiles, especially small ones
like my own mill, would benefit from an active campaign – the
“running away” by a few large companies from these shores and to
cheap-labour-countries has almost destroyed the infrastructure of
the industry here and thrown many small producers off the market.
The CCC is not just another campaign by this that or the other group
of activists. It is now supported by over 250
consumer-organisations, trade unions, political- and church groups
and by countless individuals the world over.
My husband will give a short overview of the history and the
activities of the CCC at the meeting and we hope to get involved in
a debate about what can and should be done here.
I would hereby like to invite you to join us on June 9th.
I am sending this to you as an individual. Should you be member of a
political organisation, trade union, church group etc. who you think
might be interested; do not hesitate to pass this invitation on.
I would be delighted to be able to welcome you here on June 9th, of
course we will have tea and a little bite to eat here – therefore it
would be nice if you could indicate your coming.
Yours in solidarity
Marion Baur
Owner of Flax Mill Textiles
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What’s on?
The Republican Socialist Youth Movement have called for a picket of
Store Street Gardaí station opposite Busáras in Dublin over the
continued brutality of the Gardaí, not only in regards to Republican
and Socialist activists, but against members of the community.
In recent times, up to seven people have died in Gardaí custody or
shortly after being released with one, Terrence Wheelock from Summer
Hill being murdered in Store Street station. The state then
instigated a cover up from the highest levels when they knew that
their true image was to be exposed.
The picket is being held on this particular date as Tuesday June 5th
will be the 10th anniversary of the summary execution of INLA
Volunteer John Morris from Tallaght. Vol. Morris had already
surrendered himself but was shot in the back of the head. The INLA
later affirmed that John’s weapon was not loaded.
The picket will commence at 2 pm, Store Street Gardaí station,
Saturday 2nd June.
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http://raytheon9.org/courtdate3.jpg
The next stage is a Preliminary Enquiry, at which the Prosecution
present the charges to be pursued and outline the evidence. This
will be on Thursday 5 June 2007, at Bishop Street Courthouse in
Derry.
The Derry Anti War Coalition is organising a mass rally outside the
courthouse on that day, calling for the charges to be dropped and
urge everyone to begin making plans to come to Derry for that day.
.
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FUND RAISING FOR THOSE ARRESTED AT STORMONT
To help the legal costs of the anti-war activists arrested at
Stormont on 8th May during Blair's visit. The event will take place
in the Roddy McCorley club on Saturday 16 June featuring top class
musicians and guest speaker Bernadette McAliskey.
Please spread the word. |
