*This article was originally published in El Libertario #58, March-April 2010. Although originally based on the actual experiences of Venezuela’s social struggles, it deals with situations and facts of interest to activists anywhere. read full story / add a comment

Forget about Blair ..
As the baroness leads the EU team to negotiate in the region with the other members of the quartet
what can be achieved .
-Nothing unless sanctions are applied against Israel and the UN courts come out with less ambiguous deliberations .
The danger is that situation will escalate into another JIhad and open an opportunity for Iran to enter the fray.. read full story / add a comment

Dieter Blumenfeld, spokesperson of the Republican Sinn Féin International Relations Bureau, called for the release of all political prisoners. The 18th of March is marked as the International Day for Political Prisoners. read full story / add a comment

The European Commission today issued Ireland with a final warning to provide its citizen with access to justice that is not ‘prohibitively expensive’. ‘There is no doubt whatsoever that the potential financial consequences of losing legal challenges is preventing NGOs and individuals from bringing cases against public bodies and so denying citizens their legal rights as Irish citizens.

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The article examines, first, the political bankruptcy in connection to the October general election and recent events, and then it discusses the present near economic bankruptcy in relation to the myth of ‘green growth’ promoted by the reformist Left and Greens and, after it considers the social crisis with reference to the systemic problem of immigration, it continues on with massive suppression of the December demonstrations, which confirmed the rise of social-fascism in Greece. Finally, the article examines the current attempt by the EU elites to transform Greece into an EU protectorate and proposes an alternative solution that aims to stop the Latin-Americanisation of Greece, and create the preconditions for a self-reliant economic democracy as an integral part of an Inclusive Democracy. read full story / add a comment

éirígí attack Fianna Fáil TD in relation to the giveaway of the states natural resources and the Deputies financial interest in Shell read full story / add a comment

"Any authentic work of art must start an argument between the artist and his audience."
Rebecca West
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For decades community groups, the women's movement and other social justice movements have been the driving force behind equality in Ireland, while global justice activists have highlighted the crisis of climate change and neo-liberalism. As economies falter and social partnership collapses, what do we already know about how to change the world? This course brings together experienced activists in community education and social movements with those interested and motivated about social justice to create new knowledge and develop alternatives. Do you want to join us on this learning journey? read full story / add a comment

*For background and updates on the Waihopai Ploughshares action, trial and acquittal go to........
http://www.ploughshares.org.nz
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A book titled Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner’s Guide, written by Ben White and published by Pluto Press will be launched in Trinity College, Dublin, on Thursday 25th March, at 6.45pm. The event, hosted by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC), will take place in the Robert Emmet Theatre, Arts Block, in TCD. The author will speak on his book and all are welcome to attend.

Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner's Guide distils the work of academics and experts into a highly readable text. This is a key book to read if you want to understand the roots of the conflict and how apartheid applies to the situation in Palestine.

In an evening chaired by Senator David Norris, author Ben White will discuss his book, the mechanics of Israeli Apartheid and its impact on the daily lives of Palestinians.

NOTE FOR JOURNALISTS: Journalists are especially welcome at this event and interviews with the author can be arranged in advance by contacting Dr Fintan Lane (IPSC Media Officer) at 087 1258325.
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GCFA has no fears of dealing with Louth County Council when it has already written to the EU in Brussels and been heard! read full story / add a comment

With Erris fisherman Pat O'Donnell into his second month in Castlerea Prison, UK Shell to Sea supporters held a demonstration outside the Irish Embassy.
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Tonight, Tuesday March 16th, marked the beginning of the "Mobilising Youth: A Conversation with Israel and Palestine" tour which runs nationwide until March 25th.

The speakers on this tour are two strong, articulate young women Deema Darawshy and Sahar Vardi. Both speakers spoke strongly in favour of the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. read full story / add a comment

Both Shia communities In Iran and Iraq can see that ‘’ the enemy of my enemy is also my friend ‘’ and in this regard they will find common ground in their distrust of the West and Israel with possibly dreadful consequences .
So while it suited the US to have Iran and Iraq locked in a decade of war , the tables are perversely reversed now .
Mission Accomplished ?
The world is in a more parlous state after G.W Bush's military folly

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WEST BANK, PALESTINE: Bil'in village, the internationally renowned centre of Palestinian non-violent resistance to Israel's Apartheid Wall, was this morning - 15th March 2010 - declared a 'Closed Military Zone' by Israeli Authorities, meaning that access for International and Israeli anti-Wall activists is outlawed for six months. Furthermore, the head of the Popular Committee in Bil'in, Iyad Burnat, received a phone call from the Shin Bet - Israel's 'internal security service' - ordering him to report to Ofer Military Prison for questioning. read full story / add a comment

Nahr al-Bared refugee camp has still not recovered from the devastating war in 2007 during which it was destroyed.

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Musicians and singers, residents of Erris and Shell to Sea supporters from around the country gathered together at Castlerea prison on Saturday 13th March for a public demonstration of solidarity and support for prisoner Pat O'Donnell.

Special thanks to Frances Black for the pleasure of her company and her singing, and to all the musicians which included Gregory Daly on flute, Gerry Harrington on fiddle, Ciara Daly on flute, Seamus and Fiachna O'Mongain on concertina and accordion, Joe Carey on accordion, Rob O'Foghlu on bodhran, Seamus Mac Mathuna on flute, Ide Nic Mhathuna on concertina, Mystery Guest on guitar, singers Naoise O'Mongain, Astrid Ni Mhongain, Brid Smith and Finbar Cafferkey …

… And to Benny Canavan on the pipes who led a march from the prison gates along the prison walls to the prison doors.
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Gerry McGeough, speaking on WBAI's Radio Free Eireann, today denounced the leadership of Sinn Fein as "vermin" who are supporting British "scum" in Ireland. read full story / add a comment

Jose Luis Elkoro Unamuno, a political activist for Basque self-determination for most of his life, also elected Mayor of his town, jailed for founding the newspaper Egin, which the Spanish state closed down years ago. Even though a court last year declared the closure to have been illegal, Jose Luis remains in a Spanish jail, far from his family and friends. read full story / add a comment

A letter sent to a number of Belfast Journalists/Newspapers containing serious allegations against myself and two other Belfast Republicans including, Tony (TC) Catney is printed in full below so that fellow Republicans can read for themselves the level of smears against RNU members of late.

I'm disgusted and deeply hurt by the letter and challenge anyone to produce any evidence they have! I also publically challenge the Author of the letter to show publically anything of an evidenial nature such as, times, dates, places and moneys paid by the RUC. So I and my two comrades can properly challenge these scurrilious allegations.

Until then, I'll make no further comment about these slurs apart from an article being printed in tommorrow's Irish News.
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