RSYM Easter Message

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http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/3847/rsym3jc.jpg

Friends, A Cháirde,

The leadership of the Republican Socialist Youth Movement would like to take this opportunity to extend solidarity greetings to all political prisoners both at home and abroad. We extend greetings to our comrades in the Irish Republican Socialist Party, to former Republican Socialist Prisoners of War, to the supporters of the IRSM abroad and to the Volunteers of the Irish National Liberation Army. We would like to highlight the case of Aidan Hulme – a man whose rights the British government are prepared to infringe by refusing to grant Aidan the medical treatment he urgently requires. We also should like to see the 26 county administration fulfill their promises in regards to the case of Dessie O’Hare and to make this year his last in prison. In Europe, there is a general offensive to criminalize the struggles of those who seek to secure a decent living for their people and the working class. It is a part of the world offensive against those who refuse to renounce their sovereignty to any foreign power. The European Union have replaced May 9th, the day on which the people of the Soviet Union mark their victory over Fascism with ‘Europe Day’. In Czechoslovakia, there are attempts underway to outlaw the Communist Youth Union, the red star as well as Nazi insignia thereby equating the two polar opposites. Lukashenko is referred to as “Europe’s last dictator” by the Irish media, a phrase they borrowed directly from the Washington. Now that it has emerged that those who opposed Lukashenko in Belarus had planned to cry foul of his election victory weeks before the ballots were counted the claims of Washington don’t hold much merit. In Ireland, too, we have our own domestic saboteurs. From the sadists of the Gardai Special Branch, prepared to harass and arrest Republicans at will to 26 county officials at the highest levels. Here in the 6, there are those who recently have attempted to harass members of the IRSM in Derry and Strabane as well as make the business of Teach na Failte more difficult. They will not succeed for one reason only – we will not let them. Greater resilience and restraint is needed now more than ever, the IRSM must not yield an inch to these people for they are attempting to provoke a response of disproportionate action from our movement. They have their agenda and we have ours. Today there will be a military ceremony in Dublin headed by Fianna Fail. Fianna Fail are the very organisation which practically outlawed the sale of the Easter Lilly and still to this very day prevent Republicans from selling them. Republicans rightly refuse to apply to the 26 county administration for permits to sell their lilies, their actions are based on a solid and principled Republican stance. We gather each Easter to remember our martyred patriot dead in doing such today we remember that under Fianna Fail more Republican POWs were executed in Mountjoy than when the British controlled the prison. Fianna Fail will forever be regarded as the party of De Valera, a name which in Irish history connotations of Quisling have been reserved. An invitation to the ceremony was extended to the Love Ulster organisation. Perhaps the 26 county ruling class has not learned from previous events, sectarian marches are not tolerated on the streets of Belfast, Derry or Dunloy in any such case, the people of Dublin should not be expected to tolerate bigots either. The events in Dublin gave a clear prediction to those who proposed that the Queen of England should visit Ireland on a state visit. We will oppose any such visit, just as we opposed the Love Ulster march. We will remain steadfast to our principles and beliefs despite what instruments the state may utilize in opposition to us. The coming years will give the IRSM great opportunities to expand its influence into new arenas. They will also give us the chance to grow and consolidate ourselves. The opportunity must be seized. Beir bua.

R.S.Y.M. Ard-Comhairle

[piet11111]

personally i think its not very handy to refer to a christian holiday.
but thats just me.

[PRC-UTE]

Originally posted by [email protected] 14 2006, 11:32 PM
personally i think its not very handy to refer to a christian holiday.
but thats just me.
The significane is of course not the holiday but the anniversary of the uprising that occured at Easter in 1916.

[Brownfist]

I think the Easter Uprising is an important event in the global anti-colonial struggle. The Irish anti-colonialist movement has always played an important role in other anti-colonial struggles as well including those in India, Palestine and South Africa. I think we should all stand in respect for those who fought on April 24th, 1916 for their beliefs in a free socialist independent Ireland. I see that you got the statement from the RSYM, I was wondering how one could join the movement in Canada?

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Originally posted by [email protected] 15 2006, 03:22 AM
I think the Easter Uprising is an important event in the global anti-colonial struggle. The Irish anti-colonialist movement has always played an important role in other anti-colonial struggles as well including those in India, Palestine and South Africa. I think we should all stand in respect for those who fought on April 24th, 1916 for their beliefs in a free socialist independent Ireland. I see that you got the statement from the RSYM, I was wondering how one could join the movement in Canada?
Thank you for your support, comrade. I will get in contact with you about joining. There is a north American branch of the IRSM.

[Horatii]

I'd love to join this movement too. All we need is another Socialist youth organization to squabble with rivals over!

/sarcasm

[Tekun]

Im gonna have to research these events, to get a better understanding and support for those who fought....

Repo, u say therez a North American IRSM branch?
If so, I'd be interested

[Commie Rat]

ZING!

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Instead of starting a new topic, I'll just put this in here.
_______

Easter statement of the Irish Republican Socialist Movement


Comrades and friends,

Let us first remember why every year we gather, as thousands do all over
this island, at grave -yards and memorials. We stand here to pay homage to
and remember all those who died in the struggle for national independence.

Since the first stirrings of the separatist movement in the latter part of
the 18th century, many men and women have lost their lives in the pursuit of
Irish freedom. In the 18th, 19th 20th and 21st century Irish republicans
have died in the struggle for freedom.

We honour them all, regardless of which republican organisation they
belonged to. No one holds the rights and deeds to the legacy of those who
died. No one can claim that they can interpret the thoughts of the dead or
claim that they and they alone are the sole heirs and followers of the
republican dead.

Of course on this special occasion we as members or supporters of the
Republican Socialist Movement and family representatives of dead volunteers
remember in particular our own dead comrades and friends who devoted their
lives to republican socialism. The reading out of their names on our roll of
honour cannot do full justice to the lives they led nor ease the pain of
their families. No one knows what they would have become or what they could
have achieved if born in a different time and place.

Unfortunately, they grew up in a country partitioned and with its nearest
neighbour claiming jurisdiction over part of this island. That neighbour,
Britain, was and is an imperialist power.

Some might find the use of that word, imperialist, archaic, outdated, or old
fashioned. After all, we live in a world of instant communications and where
shopping in super and hypermarkets is the new religion. Celebrities and
fashion dominate the main news. There is a rising standard of living for
many of us in the European Union. Those who denigrate the Easter Rising and
revise history to suit their current political direction, these revisionists
and reformists, say ³move on, look at the bigger picture. Forget 1916 it was
a mistake anyway²

Well here is the bigger picture. Britain and the USA, two major imperialist
powers, one junior and one senior, are bogged down in an imperialist war in
Iraq. They threaten Iran, refuse to recognise the democratic mandate of
Hamas in the occupied Palestine land, try to undermine the Bolivarian
revolution taking place in Venezuela. They gave aid and arms to the King of
Nepal to suppress a popular uprising. They torture political prisoners;
force-feed hunger strikers and support corrupt dictators in Africa. They
turn a blind eye to multi national companies using goons and murder squads
to assassinate trade union leaders. They have blockaded Cuba for over forty
years, and are destroying the very planet we live in.

That is imperialism and that is the enemy. Our enemy is not the British
working class. Our enemy is not the protestant or loyalist or unionist
working class. Our enemy is most certainly not other republicans. No
comrades and friends, never, never, never fall into the trap that so many on
the left fall into, of seeing those closest to us in outlook as being our
main rivals and therefore our main enemy. Of course, we have differences
with others. That is why we exist. We place our movement firmly within the
working class and have a socialist analysis. We categorically state no
socialism without national liberation and no national liberation without
socialism.

But our differences we must be able to state, without rancour, without
bitterness, in an open honest fashion and treating those, with whom we
disagree, with respect. That is the republican socialist way. Those who lie,
slander, spread gossip as fact, back bite, *****, and try to turn republican
against republican, socialist against socialist, are objectively the agents
of Imperialism.

In recent times, there has been a sustained campaign to undermine and
subvert Irish Republicanism by linking Republicanism with criminality. That
same tactic was used 25 years. The deaths of ten hunger strikers put paid to
that fallacy. No republican is involved in criminality, for no republican
joined the struggle to make money.

However, an intelligence led media black operation has tried to link our own
movement and in particular key members of our movement with criminality.
This has allowed the PSNI to carry out a range of raids on republican
socialists in an attempt to blacken denigrate and slander this movement. We
utterly refute those allegations. Maggie Thatcher tried to foster the badge
of criminality 25 years ago on us and failed. Republicans stood firm and
united then. We are steadfast today against any effort to criminalise our
struggle.

The current political impasse in the North confirms our original analysis of
the Good Friday Agreement. Eight years on and the Good Friday Agreement has
still not been implemented. All that has happened has been some tinkering
with the system. Sadly a small return for years of struggle sacrifice and
death. Some republicans now must bitterly regret going down that road-a road
that increased sectarianism, solidified partition and legitimised British
interference in Irish affairs.

Currently we now have far more direct British rule than we have ever had.
As the British overlords prepare to introduce a wide range of punitive
charges on us, privatise public companies and assets and reward the RIR
with millions they must have a strong sense of satisfaction with a job well
done. British right to rule in the North is now recognised
internationally. Articles 2 and 3 are gone. The armed struggle is over,
complete, gone.

And a good thing to. Let us be honest. In the current local national and
international context, the continuation of armed struggle is not merely
futile but is counter-productive to the aims and objectives that republicans
seek. To those republicans who sincerely believe that armed struggle is the
only way forward at this time we say; look at the meagre gains that the
struggle from 69 to 98 achieved, when it had the full backing of many
working class nationalists. Do you really think that you can achieve more
especially without the support of working class nationalists?

It is time for republicans and socialists to sit down together without
grandstanding and chart a new way forward for radical democratic
republicanism. We don¹t care who convenes such talks or where they are, or
if its in a forum, a federation, a congress, a seminar, a conference, a
workshop or a summer school. We are prepared to play our part in a
politically non-sectarian way without pre-conditions.

For friends and comrades be in no doubt there is a growing sense of
frustration especially among young people at the direction mainstream
politics is going. There is still a place for those who still have beliefs,
not interests, integrity not opportunism, principles not pragmatism.

We must reach out to channel that frustration into positives politics. In
the language of the business world there is a market out there for
republican politics but only if we adapt.

For Irish Republicanism itself is in crisis notwithstanding the electoral
gains of Sinn Fein. If anyone doubts that then ask yourself how many
organisations now exist claiming to be republican and how closer to the
republican ideal have those organisations brought us? We say this not in
bitterness but in a spirit of realism. Claiming to be the true, the real
inheritors of 1916 and carrying on as if nothing has changed from say 1916,
or 1969, or 1974, or 1986, or 1997 is plainly not on. It ignores not only
reality but also shows some contempt for the mass of the Irish people.

If that is the case then it is unfortunate for it is the mass of the people
who we need to win over to the struggle for our Republic. And comrades and
friends that mass of people include those brought up to consider themselves
British or Unionist.

If republicanism is to be relevant, it has to renew itself and adapt to the
times that are changing. And in changed times we also change. If republicans
are not involved in the everyday struggles of the people, in the struggles
of the tenants, of the trade unionists of the political prisoners of the
migrant population, of the low paid exploited worker, of the old, of the
sick, of oppressed women and oppressed gays and don¹t fight for the dignity
and liberty of all, then republicans are irrelevant to our society.

We are republican socialists. We see the relevance of the class struggle and
the importance of taking an internationalist perspective on issues. Daily
Irish neutrality is whittled away while USA planes use Irish airspace to
move weapons of war and tortured prisoners around the world. Meanwhile the
EU continues to move towards a centralised bureaucracy, undemocratic in
reality while on the face of it answerable to the people. It is the
bureaucrats who rule and who push forward economic liberalism that will see
the selling off of national and publicly owned assets to the private sector.

1916 kick started the struggle for national independence and sovereignty. In
2006 90 years on we see that independence, limited as it is, and that
sovereignty, limited as it is, handed lock stock and barrel over to the
bureaucrats of Brussels who act not in the interests of the people but in
the interests of the multinationals or corporate world.

Was it for this that the greatest of the men and women of 1916 James
Connolly gave his life?

We abhor and condemn attempts by mainstream political parties to use the
names of the hunger strikers for strictly party political purposes. They did
not die for political parties. They died for political status; for the right
to be regarded as political combatants and not criminals. No one but no one
had the right to bargain away gains made by their deaths. We call on all
republicans no matter from which organisation to support the continuing
struggle for political status.

It is sometimes argued that Republicans are obsessed with the North and
ignore what goes on in the 26 counties. If that is so then that attitude is
wrong. Republican and socialists should be actively involved in the many
struggles going on. Not because it will win kudos for republicanism but
because it is right.

It is right to stand with the migrant workers exploited in both fields and
factories by the modern day gombeen men who pay low wages and treat migrants
as no better than slaves.

It is right to expose and highlight the brutality, lies and corruption that
are part of the culture of the Garda. They needed no lessons from the RUC.
We need to channel the resentment of working class youth towards the Garda
into a positive political direction.

It is right to campaign against partnership deals with employers that tie
the vast majority of trade unionists to relatively low wage increases, while
profits continue to rise.

In short, it is right to stand with the weak against the strong with the
protester against the multinationals, and with all those who strive to save
our planet from destruction.

In honouring the men and women of 1916, we must remember they had no
mandate. Wolfe Tone had no mandate. Robert Emmet had no mandate. Liam
Mellows had no mandate. Seamus Costello had no mandate when he helped set up
our own organisation.

However, what they all had was a burning sense of indignation against
injustice and oppression. And friends they acted on it. Their actions
covered the full gambit of political action from the party meeting; the
committee room.; the picket line; the handing out of leaflets; the mass
meetings; the political discussion to convince ; and ultimately the taking
up of arms when no other alternative was available to them.

Today friends and comrades we are building the alternative. Over the last 10
years, this movement has gone from strength to strength. Our politics have
matured, our membership has increased and our commitment is as strong today
as when Seamus Costello founded this movement. Republican socialism is on
the up and although much work has still to be done, we walk away today firm
in the belief that each and everyone of us will renew our commitment to the
revolutionary struggle for the socialist republic. Down with Imperialism. Up
the Republic.

(Delivered by Willie Gallagher, IRSP)

[chebol]

Saoirse go deo!

[LoneRed]

im actually writing an essay on the easter uprising, was writing it yesterday on sunday, what a coincidence, when im done, ill post her on up

[PRC-UTE]

look forward to it.

[praxis1966]

Repoman: Tiocfaidh ar la!


Im gonna have to research these events, to get a better understanding and support for those who fought....

If you want, you can go to An Phoblacht's website (http://www.anphoblacht.com/) for some starter information. In the 'top stories' there's a statement from Republican Sinn Fein's leadership on the relevance of the 1916 Rising today. Make sure you check out the features section too, as it has articles that give an overview of the events of the uprising, as well as articles on the involvement of Irish women and the labor movement (aka Connolly's ICA).

[bolshevik butcher]

Solidarity with the irish working class and their struggle. 90years of the easter rising but they continue to struggle against both Irish and British beugroirse. I would say that both of these are excellent documents. patiuclarly the altter which sets out a clear course for the socialist republican movment.

[PRC-UTE]

One last statement, this is from the imprisoned Republican Socialists:


Comrades, We the Republican Socialist POWs incarcerated in Portlaoise, Castlerea, Maghaberry, send Easter greetings to the leadership of the INLA, IRSP, IRSCNA, RSYM, TNF, and affiliated support groups and we express our continued support and confidence in their leadership.

To all the families of our fallen comrades, we extend our deepest sympathy whilst remembering with pride, the sacrifice they have made for the liberation of the working class.To Teach Na Failte, we the POWs say thank you for all the work you do on our behalf and for our families and for the ex pows and the wider community as a whole. We would like to express our condemnation of the recent raids on the TNF offices and condemn the continued harassment of TNF workers, by the RUC/PSNI as they go about their work on behalf of their community and their class.

Our comrade, Dessie O'Hare is still held in prison almost six years after being deemed a qualifying prisoner under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. This is an absolute disgrace, not only as his treatment borders on mental torture and anguish for himself, but also for his family, particularly his Wife Claire and Children, as they wait for his final release. All are victims of the vindictive Free State ruling class. We also condemn pro gfa signatories such as Sinn Fein and the SDLP on this issue, as they have consistently remained silent on Dessie's circumstances, particularly Sinn Fein, who uses the terms of the GFA to secure the release of their prisoners in castlerea whilst ignoring Dessies plight.

We as Republican Socialist POWs are reminded of the miscarriage of justice victim, John Brady, a republican activist from Strabane Co Tyrone, who has been held in goal since his detention back in June 2004 where not a single charge was laid against him, until trumped up charges were made in September 2005. John's case itself is remarkably similar to that of Derry republican Seamus Doherty, now freed following widespread protests by his family, friends and neighbors against a host of false charges. John Brady should be freed forthwith.

We are also aware of the deteriating health of an Irish Republican POW serving a 22-year sentence in HM Full Sutton Prison in England, who sadly, may have to undergo an operation to remove his leg as a result of extreme medical neglect.
27-year-old Aiden Hulme was imprisoned for alleged involvement in the 2000/2001 ‘Real’ IRA bombing campaign in London. Republican Socialist POWS support the campaign calling for the repatriation of Aiden, so that he is immediately transferred to Ireland, so that it will enable him to secure much-needed medical treatment. Republicans of all political persuasions should support such a campaign on a human rights basis.

To all our fellow pows in prison around the world and to all those persons, groups, organizations engaged in anti capitalists/ imperialists struggles, we send our heartfelt support and solidarity.

Comrades, the IRSM stand here today, 90 years on from the heroic events, which occurred at Easter 1916. For many years’ now, it has only been republicans and republican socialists who have kept the memory of 1916 alive. So it is with great dismay and anger that we hear of the counter revolutionary Free State offensive policy of reclaiming the tradition of 1916. For over 35 years the Free State government has shown no interest in publicly remembering the dead patriots of 1916. On the contrary they have done there best to destroy the tradition of 1916, just as the RUC/PSNI British army have done. For over thirty years the Free Staters suppressed the ideas of Easter week, possibly because it kept the flame of National Liberation and Freedom alive, which of course upset the Brits. So why now is it acceptable for the Free State to remember Easter, is it because, the Brits and the Americans have said it is ok.

With the signing of the GFA and with it being nice and safe now to be a republican and with future elections in mind, the Free State government have heroically decided to' reclaim Easter ' totally disregarding the aims and objectives espoused by the men and women of Easter week, particularly the socialist vision of James Connolly and Countess Markievicz, along with the other patriots involved in the Irish Citizen Army. Shame on them
The Free State army will march past the GPO, an army that has been used by successive free state governments, to suppress republicans and socialists movements, now they are marching to commemorate everything they have done in the past to put down. Is this not an act of total hypocrisy? Shame on these sand-baggers.

Free State minister Willie O' Dea has stated that in reference to the 26 county army holding their parade to commemorate 1916, that the "Army” are the inheritors of 1916". All Republican Socialists must treat this statement with the contempt it deserves. Can any person here present, find in the proclamation, any mention of an Ireland partitioned? Or a GFA that recognizes british institutions such as stormount? The answer is No. How can the Free State government and Free State army, which upholds partition and the GFA, be the inheritors of 1916?

We in the Republican Socialist movement are the true inheritors of 1916. We must find a-way to implement the visions of Connolly, Costello, Power and Gallagher. For to defeat partition and British rule here in our country, we must bring the class issue to the fore of any future struggle.

Comrades, let us leave here today, even more determined to build the revolutionary party that can link the struggle against capitalism in our country. A party that opposes Imperialism at home and abroad, that stands up for the rights of the working class everywhere and that is committed to the establishment of a Socialist Republic. Comrades let us return to the ideals of the men and women of 1916, to Connolly, for these ideals are as relevant today as they were 90 years ago.

Mindful of the fact that we also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the hunger strike, we remember the following words from VOL Patsy O’ Hara, “let the fight go on”.