Connolly Festival this weekend

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Friday March 23, 2007 11:02

by Patrick - Labour Youth

This weekend the annual Connolly festival hosted by Labour Youth will take place in Dublin in the ATGWU Hall. The keynote speaker is Spanish Civil War veteran Bob Doyle.

Spanish Civil War Veteran to Speak in Dublin
Bob Doyle, the last surviving Irish Veteran of the Spanish Civil War who fought against fascism will be speaking this Friday in Dublin. Bob will be the headline speaker at this years Connolly Festival (March 23rd – 24th) which is organised by Labour Youth. He will be speaking at 7 pm on Friday in the ATGWU Hall in Middle Abbey Street.
Bob Doyle is the last surviving veteran of the “Connolly Column” – a contingent of Irish socialists and republicans who fought on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War more than 70 years ago. He and his comrades have been immortalised in Michael O’Riordan’s book ‘The Connolly Column’ and Christy Moore’s song “Viva La Quinte Brigada,” which tell of brave young men fighting the powerful and wealthy fascists in a bloody conflict where ‘even the olives were bleeding.’
Speaking ahead of this meeting Connolly Festival Organiser Enda Duffy said;
“It is an absolute honour for Labour Youth to have Bob Doyle address our festival. The ongoing scourge of racism and fascism must be resisted at all times. I think Bob’s experiences will offer all those who attend a unique insight into the sheer brutality of fascism and how, 70 years on, we can still defeat it.”
“In keeping with the theme of equality the festival will also have meetings on Travellers Rights, the Justice for Terence Wheelock campaign, and ending the US blockade of Cuba.”
“Labour Youth is determined to highlight the injustice and discrimination faced by people in Ireland and across the world. Terence Wheelock was a young man who died as a result of injuries received while in Garda custody. We support the ongoing campaign of his family for justice and hope the meeting this weekend puts further pressure on Minister McDowell to immediately authorise and independent investigation.”

ENDS
For further information contact:
Enda Duffy (Recruitment Officer) – 087 6686511
Patrick Nulty (National Chairperson) – 087 9688259
Labour Youth is the youth section of the Labour Party with over 1,000 members nationwide.

Connolly Festival 2007
Friday
5.30pm End the US Blockade of Cuba
Cuban Ambassador Noel Carrillo
7pm Spanish Civil War Veteran Speaks
Bob Doyle last surviving Irish veteran who fought on the republican side in the Spanish Civil War.
Saturday
10 am Campaigning for Travellers Rights
Cllr. Declan Bree
11.30 Justice for Terrence Wheelock
Featuring Terrence's brother Larry Wheelock. Terrence died as a result of injuries received in Garda Custody
2 pm National Anti-War Demonstration
Fianna Fail Ard Fheis Assemble 2pm Lidl Car Park CityWest
8 pm Connolly Social
Outhouse 105 Capel Street - 5 euro admission all proceeds to Labour LGBT

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Connolly Festival this weekend