'They Haven't Gone Away You Know...'

by peter Mon Aug 27, 2007 13:03

Thank you Paul I am glad to here your comrades are involved in the anti water charges campaign. Eirigi haven't posted a leafet or story about that here to my knowledge. i am certainly not saying eirigi or anyone else show be neutral on the national question. i am simply saying priorities on allocation are skewed if you produce full colour leaflets on an issue that frankly is dead for the foreseeable future and in a context when there are more pressing issues effecting our class. The situation is simply not comparable with Palestine where they levels of state violence, discrimination and oppression are extremely high and there is little hope of a non violent life *I am not sufficiently familiar with the Basque country to comment.

Sinn Fein won the election in the nationalist\catholic working class. It appears to me that the British occupation is a perifferal issue in most peoples lives in the north now. People are still unionist and nationalist by and large but the main issues are economic. that is why resources or small or new political organisations of the left should be directed at these issues in the best interests of our class and the vision we have for the future.

Eirigi is a positive development, it doesn't need to prove it's republicanism, but coming out of Sinn Fein by and large it does need to get a socialist reputation.

by Some Yank - Americay Thu Aug 23, 2007 22:55

Rose seems to have understood a few things and is wiser than "the bearded one", those who support him and his new friends like the American imperialists and racists.

Here in the US, some anti-Imperialists fight the US imperialism while others claim to yet support it (Democrats) and there are some who fight it there while others claim to fight it there.

Gerry Adams and Bone-Head of U2. Quite a pair.

by Rose D Thu Aug 23, 2007 18:27

Great to see a campaign being launched on this issue. Some have asked why this campaign and why not others. I suppose you should ask Palestnians, Basques etc. the same question but you probably won't. For some people anti- imperialism is grand as long as it is not in their back yard. Eirigi seems to have more progressive attitude to both national and economic questions.

by Sickened Thu Aug 23, 2007 17:46

I see that the dissidents are attacking easy targets in Derry. They fired a shot into the home of a former deputy mayor whose son is in the PSNI. Sure aren't the Shinners telling these people to join this Police Force, therefore they aren't they to blame when they join up?

God save Ireland from the heroes.

by Paul Thu Aug 23, 2007 14:02

Peter,
Does is have to be either the issue of Irish national self-determination or the issue of water charges (or other social/economic issue) ? Can it not be both? eirigi are at their core a republican organisation. would it not be strange for them not to draw attention to the ongoing occupation of the six counties, regardless of how fertile one may think the conditions are for a mass anti-imperialist movement?

For your information eirigi members in belfast are involved in the water charges campaign. It also covered on their website in the context of their campaign on natural resources which links the northern water charges issue to the giveaway of Ireland's oil and gas reserves.

The scope for action on the water charges issue has, as you know, been somewhat dissipated by the deferral of any decision on the issue.

by Patrick Henry Thu Aug 23, 2007 13:14

I agree, with $inn Fein now working eagerly for the system what we really need is a Working Class Republican party capable of challenging the $hinners and this will take time. Eirigi have the potential to become a strong Republican party but they must forget the old slogans of the past and concentrate on the future. We know the Brits haven't gone but the ordinary person in the street no longer cares. Work for the people and they will support you but ignore them for campaigns for which they couldn't care less then you will find yourselves standing alone making speeches to a few dozen people at street corners.

by peter Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:35

What is the point of this campaign? We are aware that the British army and government won the war and Sinn Fein have been co-opted into the system north and south. But there is no basis for a sustained campaign against the British occupation for now or in the foreseeable future.

The Catholic working class in the north on whom the greatest burden of oppression existed and who provided the support base for the anti-imperialist struggle have seen their position change completely from 30 years ago. State discrimination does not exist to any significant level and certainly not as official policy. The working class now are treated like the working class anywhere and the fact of the British occupation doesn't impact on that at all. There is no support for armed struggle and nothing else except a majoirty vote could lead to British withdrawal so why expend time and money on this leaflet campaign?

Eirigi in the north would be better occupied getting stuck into the water charges campaign which has potential to get some cross community working class struggle going. Better use of resources for their objective of a workers republic I would think.

by Diss Republican Wed Aug 22, 2007 21:32

Great campaign idea.Great leaflet,short,direct and true.I can almost remember when Sinn Fein were doing things like this.Is it just me or has anybody else noticed the unusual non existance of the usual comments from the Sinn Fein diehards.Well they say silence speaks volumes and if it does the noise is deafening.

by GJ Wed Aug 22, 2007 18:20

The Slogan of the new EIRIGI campaign was coined by none other than El Presidente of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams aka the Beard!

Just thought i'd let you know!

by GJ Wed Aug 22, 2007 18:18

The IRA fought the Brits to a stand still, ,

'with armalites and motorbombs I thought I knew the score
but now EIRIGI have a weapon, theyve never used before
the Brits are looking worried - and they're going to worry more!

Tiocfaidh Ar La,
sing Up the EIRIGI
Leaflets flying in your Door,

Oh a in your door, oh a in your door!'

With all them leaflets the brits are sure to leave!

EIRIGI ABU!

Aw RITE!

by Ciaran C Wed Aug 22, 2007 16:33

An fhirinne go deo!

by Celia S Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:17

I really must commend éirígí for this initiative. It is exactly what is needed to give lie to the illusion that the Brits have gone and an Irish Socialist Republic is on the horizon. Nothing could be further from the truth on both counts.

Well done

CS

by The Chosen One Wed Aug 22, 2007 09:48

Glad to see this. People seem to think if we are good and ask had enough, the Brits will give us our country back. They forget it was never theirs to take.

by blue quinn Tue Aug 21, 2007 20:54

I am glad to see that there is still some opposition out there to the occupation of this country by unwanted imperialist forces.

This campaign is badly needed and hopefully all like minded Republicans will get behind it.

Well done to all connected to the campaign.

by Returning to the scene of the crime! Tue Aug 21, 2007 19:40

At least the British Army have met their match this time in Basra. They're getting a right pasting. Holed up in their airport and one base in the city they have to run in and out of. No control over any territory, except the bits their boots and tanks are on. Watch for their rapid departure befor Bush starts his attack and invasion of Iran though.

And back home...

Not only did they not go away but they even returned to the scene of the crime! No, I don't mean the Brits. The Ogra are seen here launching their new road safety campaign......outside the Northern Bank!

Ogra outside Northern Bank

by J. Joyce Tue Aug 21, 2007 18:08

Good leaflet highlighting a few not-so-talked-about facts.

by Homer J Tue Aug 21, 2007 17:50

I just had a quick scan of the leaflet on the éirígí website. Looks good. Will give it a better read this evening. Well done.