Dublin May Day
dublin |
anti-capitalism |
news report 
Friday May 02, 2008 12:16
by Michael Gallagher - Photographer
libertypics at yahoo dot ie
Photo Essay
(c) Michael Gallagher all images.
Well all can say is , it was the dullest May Day I have ever been on......and I'm not talking about the weather! The efforts to drum up some chants by a female SIPTU official was only made worse by the half hearted grunts she got in response.
There was about 200-300 in attendance.
What efforts do the organisers put in to ensure a big turn out for this? Or do they want a big turn out? The speeches and music were all professionally done....though I don't know if the content of the speeches was anything better than the spin and claptrap we usually get from the big brass, but the music was great.
Insults directed at individual have been removed - moderator
Comments (13 of 13)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13(c) Michael Gallagher all images.
(c) Michael Gallagher all images.
(c) Michael Gallagher all images.
These photos are good.
There was also very fine march in Balymun for the workers from the closed down Ballymun plaza earlier in the day.
That's a pretty poor turnout for Dublin.
Appropos the hammer and sickle Communist Party flags, is there any chance this lot will ever issue a public and grovelling apology for the disgusting anti-democratic and imperialist regimes they supported in Eastern Europe? These people are the enemy - they are not socialists and shouldn't be treated as such.
(Btw I am neither a trot nor an anarchist.)
You add "(Btw I am neither a trot nor an anarchist.)" Phew! You're not a PD infiltrator either I hope.
I'd be curious to know, seriously, what marxists think about Marx and his historical predictions following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the economic volte-face in 'Red China'. It seems to me that marxism is a spent force in politics. Capitalism and globalisation and all the exploitation they bring with them, and consumerist cultural degradation, certainly are not spent forces, so some sort of socialist analysis and political action are needed. But marxism? I think it failed in several ways.
Over to the marxist thinkers...
Yep the march seemed like a memorial, very tame vibe.
I was pleasantly surprised to here Union speakers mention Palestine and Iraq, if not the contribution makes at Shannon Airport..1 million troop movements through Shannon in the last 5 years.
One speaker mentioned that dockers were contemplating striking on May Day on the west coast of the U.S. but didn't know if it had gone ahead or not.
Well it did and it was a strike against the U.S. war on Iraq
See link
http://www.counterpunch.org/macaray05022008.html
2008 is the year for the Left to demonstrate unity and leadership as the working classes get hammered again. But whenever searching for any protests or direct action where should one look?
Not everyone knows about Indymedia and if searching online for organisation and future protests are left to feel isolated and alone in their thoughts because there is no mention of May Day protests, or any protests for that matter.
How are we to collectively begin what needs to be done without effective leadership and organisation from the people who already have the networks established.
The working people are unable to rely on their trade unions to lead them as most are agent provocateurs; ultimately keeping us divided.
This Saturday in Belfast and Dublin was a big opportunity to generate support as more and more working classes seek an alternative to the hardship they are facing, which will only get worse as the year progresses.
The Left needs to get its house in order and stop bickering amongst one another. In the meantime anyone seeking an alternative to the current Establishment are simply put off with the lack of togetherness across the entire movement.
Disappointed and walking in the wilderness!
Catholic Worker Movement marks 75th anniversary without fanfare
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802398.htm
The words of Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement,
from one of his Easy Essays.
Better or Better Off (I minute)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH5kWdvIVP4
Nun, anarchist team up for social justice
http://spectator.seattleu.edu/news/story.aspx?ID=26650
The most boring/quietist Mayday march i've ever been on
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Re your desire for a grovelling apology red-baiter, you'll get one as soon as capitalism apologises for the untold thousand millions who suffer under it's many regimes in the world.
I knew that Provisional Sinn Féin had shifted to the right, but getting Kevin Myers to carry their 'Ireland of Equals' banner at the May Day rally is surely a step too far!
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