RSF give leadership to a new generation

national | miscellaneous | press release

Friday January 01, 2010 20:36

by Saoirse - Republican Sinn Fein

saoirse at iol dot ie

223 Parnell St, Dublin 1.

01 8729747

New Year statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des dalton

Speaking at the annual Dáithí Ó Conaill commemoration in Glasnevin cemetery, Dublin on January 1 the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des dalton set out the challenges and opportunities which face Republican Sinn Féin in the New Year.

“The coming year presents us all with huge challenges but also opportunities. The two fronts on which it is essential that we engage in 2010 are political and economic.

“Last year and indeed recent days events on the ground in the Six Counties testified to the fact that British rule in Ireland will be met with resistance. The attacks on British crown forces and the wave of repression and resistance, which followed are evidence to the reality that the nature of British occupation in Ireland has not changed but neither has the attitude of a section of the Irish people.

“The young people in the Six Counties who took on the forces of the British Crown were dismissed as ‘ A-political thugs’ or merely representing an ‘anti-social’ sub youth culture. We know what the truth is. These young people represent a new undefeated generation prepared to take on British rule in Ireland. They are young people simply taking their place in the latest phase of the historic struggle for Irish freedom.

“It is our duty in Sinn Féin –the only political organisation representing the revolutionary Irish Republican tradition - to give political expression and leadership to this new generation.

“The coming year is also likely to see an intensification of the normalisation of British rule and partition. Speaking on RTÉ television on Monday night (December 28) the 26-County President Mary McAleese signalled the possibility of a visit to the 26 Counties by the Queen of England. We in Sinn Féin equally signal our intention to oppose such a visit.

“Mary McAleese’s use of the word ‘collegial’ in describing 26-County relations with the British state is worthy of note. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary 11th revised edition 2006 defines collegial as meaning: ‘belonging to or relating to shared responsibility.’ Or alternatively as one of a number of colleges belonging to the same university. This use of such language is a significant pointer as to the thinking of the political establishment in the 26-County State and how they view their relationship with Britain.

“At this time we are also conscious of the Republican prisoners in both Portlaoise and Maghaberry. We extend them our greetings and pledge them our solidarity. Support for the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry in their fight for political status is vital in the coming year. By denying British attempts to ‘criminalise’ them the prisoners in Maghaberry are engaged in a battle to deny the British Government’s criminalisation of the Irish people’s historic struggle for national independence.

“We must recognise like James Connolly: ‘If you remove the English army to-morrow and hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle, unless you set about the organisation of the Socialist Republic your efforts would be in vain.’

“A war is being waged on working people globally. Here the 26-County administration faced with a choice between taxing the rich or taking from the marginalised and vulnerable, have chosen to put their hands in the pockets of the poorest. Employers and the state are intent on rolling back any advance made by workers over the course of the last century.

“In the face of all this a weak and reformist trade union leadership were deliberately humiliated and wrong-footed by the Dublin administration in their vain attempts to lay the basis for yet another so-called ‘Partnership Agreement’.

“Tinkering at the edges of a discredited and failed social and economic system is not enough. Real revolutionary political and economic change is demanded. In its obituary of Dáithí Ó Conaill SAOIRSE pointed out he ‘viewed the Republican Movement not as a political party, but as the main catalyst of progressive forces to achieve Irish Freedom.’ It is the role which we must live up to.

“We would do well to heed the advice of Connolly given to those intent on building a national movement over a century ago: ‘It must demonstrate to the people of Ireland that our nationalism is not merely a morbid idealising of the past, but is also capable of formulating a distinct and definite answer to the problems of the present and a political and economic creed capable of adjustment to the wants of the future.’

“Armed as we are with clearly thought out and radical programme for real political and economic democracy EIRE NUA and SAOL NUA we can take our rightful place in the vanguard of the struggle.

“The All-Republic for which we struggle has to be – returning to Connolly again – of such a character that: ‘the mere mention of its name would at all times serve as a beacon-light to the oppressed of every land.’

“Just as imperialism is not confined to one country the solidarity in the fight against it must also be international. Over the coming year we must continue to develop our role in the international struggle against imperialism.

“We extend our greetings to all engaged in the noble quest for national liberation. We face a common enemy but also share the common goal of securing and defending the inalienable rights common to all peoples and nations.

“Our work is clearly marked out for us. It is our duty to bring to the task all our energies and abilities.

Ends.

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Comments (8 of 8)

New Years Day 2010 in Glasnevin Cemetery , Dublin.

by Sharon. - Individual.

Sat Jan 02, 2010 13:15

Hi !

A few pictures and the full text of the Oration delivered by RSF President Des Dalton at the Dáithí Ó Conaill Commemoration at the Republican Plot in Glasnevin Cemetery , Dublin , on Friday 1st January 2010 can be viewed at the 'Related Link' below .
Thanks!
Sharon.

"Dáithí Ó Conaill came from a strong Cork Republican family. His uncle Michael O’Sullivan (17) along with five of his comrades was bayoneted to death by British Crown forces in March 1921..."

why why why

by supporter

Sat Jan 02, 2010 16:53

why is it that rsf have decades of the rosary at republican commemorations,as a republican this i find disgusting
republicanism is theory,not religion,that religions are based on a lot of lies and nonsense a side, the rsf should leave religion out of it,
republicanism was started to a large degree be protestants and 'dissenters',its about substituting the various religions for the common good,so cut the crap and lets get down to fundementals.

Prayers said if requested by family members.

Sat Jan 02, 2010 18:21

Hi Supporter !

It's not the case that RSF (or other republican groups) insist/demand that prayers be recited at commemorations they hold , but it is done when the family (families) of those being commemorated request that it be done.
I'm sure you'll agree that it would be equally as "disgusting" to ignore such a request from that source ?
Thanks!
Sharon.

well

Mon Jan 04, 2010 14:38

they have done decades of the rosary at commems. in cork loads of times,and no it wouldnt be disgusting if they refused,its nothing to do with republicanism,look where religion has brought this country,to a state of accepting paedophile priests,religion is a load of fairytale bullshit,face reality take religion out of republicanism!!

Pseudology

by Damien

Mon Jan 04, 2010 16:12

He has a point Sharon.

Again : it's not RSF that requests the prayers.

Mon Jan 04, 2010 16:44

Hi Supporter !
"they have done decades of the rosary at commems. in cork loads of times..."
And there are Commemorations in Cork (and Dublin/elsewhere) at which no prayers are recited. As stated - it depends on the wishes of the family concerned , in relation to that issue.
"and no it wouldnt be disgusting if they refused ,its nothing to do with republicanism"
I believe the family concerned would disagree , in regards to their knowledge of the personal beliefs of the person being commemorated.
"look where religion has brought this country,to a state of accepting paedophile priests,religion is a load of fairytale bullshit"
Religion has a lot to answer for , yes - especially in the manner in which some of its 'officers' used it as a cloak under which to practice their sick fantasies.
"face reality take religion out of republicanism!!"
The "reality" , in some cases , is that some family members of the person being commemorated are aware that that person would have no objection to prayers being recited over his/her grave.

Hi Damien !
"He has a point Sharon."
As do the families concerned, Damien.
Thanks!
Sharon.

To pray or not to pray

by Redundant Republican

Mon Jan 04, 2010 19:09

Supporter- as a republican myself, I believe that prayers at republican commemorations are a welcome part of the day. If you feel uncomfortable then ignore the few prayers. The founding fathers of the modern movement had a deep faith and prayer played a large part in their lives. During the war, we as republicans used religious services following republican deaths as a propaganda tool in our campaign against the Brits but we also treated those sad occasions with respect for the dead and their families. Strange as it may appear, some of us do believe in God.

Religion is redundant

Mon Jan 04, 2010 20:21

God and Religion are two very different things!

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RSF give leadership to a new generation

Comments (8 of 8)