Vótáil Sinn Féin YouTube

Today, 28 February, Armagh Ógra Shinn Féin launched an election broadcast on the internet site ‘YouTube.com’ promoting Sinn Fein’s Cathal Boylan who is standing as a candidate in the Newry/Armagh constituency in the forthcoming assembly elections.

The four minute broadcast, filmed and produced by Ógra, outlines the importance of voting as well as highlighting some of the key Republican concerns including collusion and demilitarisation as well as some social issues including water rates.

Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin in Armagh Damian White said today,

“We are delighted to be the first political youth wing on this island to have produced an election broadcast and made it available for viewing on the Internet. We anticipate that the broadcast will be viewed by a large number of young and first time voters in the Newry/Armagh constituency, so for that reason we have tailored the production to a young person’s perspective.”

The broadcast is available for viewing on,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuHHZhC9wTU

Belfast Ógra Students Launch Recruitment Drive

Ógra have launched a recruitment campaign in the Belfast colleges. The launch of a new recruitment leaflet has kicked off a drive to increase student membership within the colleges.

With Ógra to the fore of Student Union politics in Belfast and the momentum being built around the ongoing election campaign, it seems a fitting time to launch this drive. Ógra as always will be putting student issues to the top of the agenda and hopefully can add still further to the increasing membership with in the colleges.

Queen’s Ógra spokesperson Caoimhe Crossan said,

“We are hoping to grow still further within the university, and increase our standing as the largest political youth wing in Belfast.”

Joe Donnelly of Jordanstown Ógra also added,

“We have continuously met opposition to our recruitment from UUJ, but we continue to break down those barriers.”

The drive will continue throughout the year and in preparation for next year’s Fresher’s Fayre.

“TO BE A STUDENT AND NOT A REVOLUTIONARY IS A CONTRADICTION”
-Salvador Allende

Ógra Shinn Féin engage with School Students on 'Youth in Politics'

Ógra Shinn Féin Lurgan visited a local school this week, with the theme of "Young People in Politics."

Lismore Comprehensive School was the venue for an interesting engagement between A Level politics students and young republicans.

The event began with a brief presentation given by Ógra Shinn Féin, outlining what Ógra is and the role of Ógra within Sinn Féin and the wider republican movement. The presentation included descriptions of recent campaigns, how we organise and also identified some of our international comrades.

The presenters for the event also provided an all Ireland approach to the event. The 3 person team included Senan MacAoidh (Monaghan Ógra) and Peadar de Bluit (Killkenny Ógra) .

This proved an interesting insight for the students, as the debate progressed and a Questions and Answers session developed. The session largely focussed on the upcoming election and Ógra's position during the policing debate.

Senan MacAoidh said of the event,

"This was a very enjoyable and educational event for both ourselves and, we hope, the students."

He continued,

"I think we gave a good portrayal of being in Ógra and of republicanism."

Lurgan Ógra member Johnny McGibbon commented,

"This is the first in a series of events we have planned surrounding 'Young People in Politics' and 'Young People in Struggle'. We have plans to engage with other schools and youth groups around the town."

He also added,

"We envisage this plan rolling out still further and urge other Ógra groups to mobilise similarly."

Let's make our struggle relevant to our youth!

Tiocfaidh Ár Lá!!

Where is the Love? Smash Racism/Sectarianism!

Since February is the month of love there could be no better time for us to kiss Racism and Sectarianism goodbye!

In playing there part to bring this about, Ógra Shinn Féin Dún Dealgan give racism and Sectarianism a big Slán Abhaile on Friday the 16th of February by hand out hundreds of Anti Racism and Anti Sectarianism leaflets in Dundalk town centre as part of the National Ógra A.R.I.S.E (Against, Racism, Imperialism, Sectarianism and Exploitation) campaign.

Gerry Adams Canvasses Youth in Armagh

Thursday 23rd of February Gerry Adams visited Armagh City to meet the candidates and with the local Orga Shinn Féin, he encouraged the the young activists to be pro-active in the election campaign and stressed the importance of this election, in particular the role Ogra can play in helping to bring out first time voter's. Damian white of armagh ogra shinn fein, said

"I welcome the visit of Gerry Adams to Armagh city who's visit will strengthen the all ready vibrant sinn fein vote in the Newry/Armagh area. Sinn Fein hope to win the 3 SEATS that they won in the last election with an increase proportion of the vote. it was great to see the large welcoming crowd of local people to greet our party leader, as well as the many young people who turn up to show their interest in sinn fein"

Acht Gaelige Anois!

Ar an 24 Feabhra beidh slógadh ar son cearta teanga na nGaeil ar siúl i mBéal Feirste. Tá Ógra Shinn Féin ag tacú go hiomlán leis an slógadh seo agus iarraimid ar gach baill de Ógra Shinn Féin agus poblachtaigh óga ó gach áit den tír teacht chuig an slógadh seo in uimhreacha mhóra.

I bhfocail Barry McColgan eagrathóir náisiúnta Ógra Shinn Féin,

“Tá acht na Gaeilge i bhfad thar ama.Le fada bhíodh an Ghaeilge thíos leis an nganntanas airgid, an fhaillí agus an naimhdeas ag rialtas na Bhreataine go háirithe. Dar le a lán daoine a rachfaidh go dtí an slógadh seo beidh muid ag seoladh teachtaireacht soiléir do rialtas na Bhreataine agus muid ag éiliú go mbeidh acht na Gaeilge curtha i gcrích sna sé Chondae anois. Léiríonn an scigdhráma ag triail Máire Nic an Bhaird seafóid an naimhdeas in éadan an Ghaeilge i dTuaisceart na hÉireann óna dílseoirí.”

Faoi acht na Gaeilge dúirt Peadar de Bluit oifigeach na Gaeilge Ógra Shinn Féin,

“tá sé rí-thabhachtach cearta na Gaeilge agus lucht labhartha na Gaeilge a dearbhú trí acht Gaeilge. Caithfear atmaisféar a cothú inar féidir leis an Gaeilge fás agus forbairt, áit a bhfuil stadas dleathach ag ar dteanga inar dtír araon.”
___________________________________________________________________________

On the 24 February there will be a rally in Belfast for the language rights of Irish speakers. Ógra Shinn Féin are giving total support to the rally and we urge all members of Ógra and republican youth from all over the country to come to the rally in large numbers.

In the words of Barry McColgan, national organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin,

“The Irish language act is long overdue. The Irish language has long been the victim of under funding, neglect and hostility by particularly the British government. For the many people who will mobilise for the rally we will be sending a clear message to the British government that we demand the immediate implementation of an Irish language act in the north of Ireland . The recent farce staged at the trial of Máire Nic an Bhaird shows the absurdity of the hostility shown in the north of Ireland to the Irish language by pro British Forces.”

About the Irish language act, Peadar de Bluit, Irish language officer of Ógra Shinn Féin said,

“it is very important that Irish language rights and Irish speakers are certified through an Irish language act. An atmosphere has to be nurtured where by the Irish language can grow and develop, where there is legal recognition of our language in both parts of the country.”

Rossport Solidarity Protest in Omagh

West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin organised a solidarity protest and leaflet drop for the beseiged community of Rossport on the day of action - Friday 16th February.

As well as holding a whiteline vigil, Ógra also destributed a copy of a letter which they have sent to Bertie Ahern.

West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin chairperson Barry McNally speaking after said,

"The give away of Irish Natural Resources is a crime which is being facilitated by the Dublin Government, the Rossport Community's health and safety is being risked and the Irish people's right to Natural Resources is being sold out the window to the highest bidder."

"Today in Omagh there was a very positive response and when we engaged with people who hadn't heard about the Rossport issue they where shocked by the actions of Shell, Statoil and the Dublin Government. There can be only one outcome of this, Victory to Rossport!"


The following is a copy of the letter sent to Bertie Ahern,

An Taoiseach,

In recent years the people and community of Rossport, Co. Mayo have been living a nightmare scenario. Local opposition against the construction of an on-shore gas pipe line by multi national giants Shell has caused great anger and frustration in the area.

It should be the job of the Dublin Government to stand shoulder to shoulder with this community against multi national companies who try and make a profit from Irish natural resources.

Recently I saw a picture inside the office of An Taoiseach and I noticed a painting of Padraig Pearse on the wall. The democratic programme of the first Dáil came to mind.

An extract of it reads,

“We declare in the words of the Irish Republican Proclamation the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland, and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies to be indefeasible, and in the language of our first President. Pádraíg Mac Phiarais, we declare that the Nation's sovereignty extends not only to all men and women of the Nation, but to all its material possessions, the Nation's soil and all its resources, all the wealth and all the wealth-producing processes within the Nation, and with him we reaffirm that all right to private property must be subordinated to the public right and welfare.”

In respect of this quote and in respect fo the picture on your wall, the best way of remembering Padraig and the men of 1916 is to build a monument that shines as a beacon across the world, that monument of course, a Free Democratic Socialist Republic. Surely your government’s dealings with Shell in relation to Rossport, Co. Mayo runs contary of Padraig Pearse, the democratic programme of the first Dail and the 1916 proclamation.

To this end we would ask why your government has acted contrary to the Democratic Programme by selling off our Natural Resources to multi National companies?

And why you now persist in aiding these companies by using heavy handed Gardai assaults to force the construction of the pipeline

Is mise,

Barry McColgan
National Organiser
Ógra Shinn Féin

A.R.I.S.E Day of Action - Kissing Goodbye to Racism and Sectarianism

Omagh

On Wednesday 14th February, Valentines Day, Ógra Shinn Féin organised a day of action as part of the A.R.I.S.E campaign to tackle Racism and Sectarianism.

As Valentine's day is a day of love, Ógra were urging people to kiss goodbye to these abhorrent evils which have been fostered by Imperialism.

Armagh

Lurgan

Queens University, Belfast

Getting the Message Across

Ógra Shinn Féin Travel to Basque Country to Call For End to Basque Youth Oppression

Two Ógra activists were in the Basque Country last weekend to extend the solidarity of Ógra Shinn Féin to their comrades in SEGI, the Basque nationalist left youth organisation. They were part of an international delegation involving Catalans, Bretons, and Castilians among others.

The young republicans were there to support SEGI, which the Spanish government is trying to ban and whose national leadership was recently sentenced to lengthy prison sentences by a Spanish court. The international delegation read out declaration of support in many languages supporting the right of Basque youth to express their legitimate political opinions.

The attitude of the Spanish state to the expression of political dissent within the Basque country shows that it has not moved on much since the time of Franco. The democratic credentials of Spain collapse time and time again when it comes to their dealings in the Basque country. For any political, cultural or media organisation to express support for Basque independence and socialism, they run the risk of being designated as ‘terrorists’ and being jailed. Ógra, along with over 100 other international youth groups, signed its name to a declaration of support for the plight of SEGI.

The Ógra members also participated in a large rally of 7,000 young people in Donastia to protest against the banning of SEGI. The Spanish government, in its continuing contempt for democracy and free speech, banned the demonstration, but it went ahead anyway, showing the depth of feeling among Basque youth.

Also while in the Basque country, the activists received briefings from Batasuna, the Basque political party that has also been banned and Askatasuna, the anti repressive movement that has also fallen foul of Spain’s so called laws. They briefed them on the attempts by the Basque nationalist left movement to move the peace process there along and the resistance that they are meeting from the Spanish government. Instead of the repressive measures being reduced following the ETA ceasefire, they have been increased.

The activists also participated in activities in support of the Basque hunger striker, Iñaki de Juana who is protesting for his immediate release following the completion of his sentence in 2004, a just demand that the Spanish government needlessly denies.

Batasuna Leader in Ireland

Ógra activists with Arneldo Otegi and Alex Maskey

The Roddy McCorley Club provided a typically warm welcome last night, for republicans from all over Belfast as well as well as a considerable amount of our Basque comrades.

One particularly special guest was Basque political leader Arnaldo Otegi. The Batasuna leader was accompanied by party negotiator Pernando Barrena and provided an inspirational night all round.

Despite the language barrier, Mr Otegi spoke passionately about the struggle for Basque independence. The meeting chaired by Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey, also had in it’s company former Belfast City Councillor Pat Rice who acted as translator for the evening.

Mr Otegi spoke of the ongoing struggle in the Basque Country, both in the Spanish occupied provinces and those occupied by the French State. He particularly pointed out the French Government who maintain there is no Basque issue within their state. Notably he stated,

“There can be no solution in the Basque country which does not include the French occupied territories.”

He went on to answer questions from the floor regarding issues like armed struggle, the Basque language and the plight of Hunger Striker Iñaki de Juana Chaos. He was pleased to announce at the event Iñaki had just been sentenced by the Spanish Government to 3 years and therefore would be eligible for release very shortly!

Mr Otegi also took time out to highlight the injustice of the Spainsh Government’s orders to arrest the leadership’s of Basque youth movements Jarrai, Haika and Segi. The Spanish Government’s attempts to criminalise the Basque community and youth sounds strangely familiar, and will surely familiarly fail!

The Basque people continue to provide inspiration to others around the world and we, Ógra Shinn Féin send our continuing solidarity to them in their struggle for independence!

Jo ta ke!

Tiocfaidh Ár Lá!!

Auf Wiedersehen to Crossmaglen

……and we have already bid farewell to Carrickmore. Yes today the final spy post and sanger of the British War Machine in Crossmaglen, South Armagh was dismantled.

Damien White of Armagh Ógra Shinn Féin said,

“Demilitarisation of Britain’s war apparatus in Ireland has been a key demand in Sinn Féin’s negotiations and has been a constant campaigning focus for Ógra Shinn Féin from its formation in 1997.”

“Significant progress has been made on the issue of Demilitarisation and it is undoubtably linked to our increased political strength and the popularisation of our demands through campaigning.”

“There can be no acceptable level of British troops in our country, for too long the barracks and foot patrols have been a blight on our community.”

“We can only begin to enter meaningful conflict resolution and move forward to a new Ireland when the oppressive British Army is removed from our shores completely.”

He concluded,

“Republican’s have shown strong leadership and constantly lived up to their commitments in the peace process, the demilitarisation today is a positive move and should be continued hastily. Ógra Shinn Féin will continue to lead the campaign to ensure that the British Military presence in Ireland is ended!”

Ógra Shinn Féin welcomes the fact that the British Government are finally listening to the communities,

“They quickly got the message there it was written on the walls – BRITS OUT!”

Stamp out Racism and Sectarianism - A.R.I.S.E

The A.R.I.S.E issue for the month of February is Anti Racism and Anti Sectarianism, two deadly evils which have been heavily promoted and fostered by Imperialists and neo-colonialists to divide the respectable working classes.

The Imperialist weapon of divide and rule has been used to deadly efficiency, with its devastating effects being witnessed globally in Pakistan, Palestine, the US, Africa and Ireland amongst many others.

The Imperialist’s stoked up racial and religious tensions in order to propagandise that they where honest brokers helping ‘police’ warring tribes.

In Ireland we witnessed at first hand the brutal actions by the Brits in promoting Sectarianism, allowing stark inequality in the formation of the Northern state – facilitating 2nd Class Citizenship, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Unionist Stormont Government in their bigoted assertion, ‘A Protestant Parliament for a Protestant People.’

The Brits stood idly by throughout 40 years of bigotry, intimidation and murder in the Sectarian Northern state – but in 1969 where forced, under international scrutiny, to supposedly mediate when Loyalists facilitated by the State went on murderous rampage and burnt down entire Catholic Streets.

The last 35 years have witnessed continuous attempts by the Brits to portray themselves as independent brokers, as the person in the middle trying to sort out a dispute between two troubled parties – but as evidence clearly shows this was part of Britain’s military and propaganda war, Prime Minister for Britain in the early seventies Edward Heath said to Widgery as he was ‘investigating’ Bloody Sunday,

"It had to be remembered that we were in Northern Ireland fighting not only a military war but a propaganda war."

Today in Ireland racism is on the rise, sectarianism is still evident in both communities. The legacy of a conflict and of a British Government not willing to come clean as an active participant in the conflict has stoked this.

Alarming especially is the rise of racism in loyalist working class areas, although a new book ‘Loyal to Racism by Jenny Bourne’, tries to explain this,

But, conclude the authors, one should not blame Loyalist communities for racism, but blame the state. It is the state which refuses to confront racism and holds to a useless and outmoded 'community relations' model. It is the state that does little to prevent racist policing; it is the state which imprisons asylum seekers and teaches the population to fear them; it is the state that denies basic rights to migrant workers (a Ukrainian worker, forced to sleep rough, lost her legs to frostbite); it is the state that colludes in racist violence.

'Where states lead, others follow. It is hardly surprising that the most pro-state, pro-British communities in the north of Ireland begin to manifest their "loyalty" to that state by mimicking British state racism and "defending" communities in the same brutal, racist way.'

Racism and sectarianism must be ended, and must be tackled across Ireland and globally – we as young Irish Republicans must tackle these abhorrent evils in our own communities but also across society.

The month of February should be used to highlight the wrongs of hate division; we should be promoting the politics of equality, as the 1916 Proclamation states,

“Cherishing all of the children of the nation equally and oblivious of the differences carefully fostered by an alien government, which have divided a minority from the majority in the past.”

Actions should include protests, information stalls, leaflet drops, petition signing, attending Anti – Racism, Anti Sectarianism or ethnic minority events to promote solidarity.

On Valentines Day, Wednesday 14 February, there will be an Ógra Shinn Féin National Day of Action titled ‘Kissing away Sectarianism/Racism’, we are asking all cumann to get active across Ireland in promoting our message, we will be encouraging people to promote tolerance, equality and solidarity instead of hate.

In the words of Martin Luther King,

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

“Ógra Could Win This Election!!”

Ógra can make the difference in the upcoming March 7th election.

This was the battle cry of Lurgan Ógra activist Lee Casey this week. Lee, a student in the local St Michael’s Grammar School, has said it is important Ógra appeals to young people and first time voters to use their vote!

Mr Casey is spearheading a Sinn Féin team in a mock election in his school on the 7th March and hopes those entitled to will vote for real following the school elections.

“I hope the mock campaign will have a real positive effect on the students,” he said.

“We will be asking students to remember there is a real election on too.”

Being confident of victory in the mock election, Mr Casey sees a real opportunity to get the message of republicanism across to his fellow students.

“My team for the mock election will be treating this campaign seriously and, with the help of my Ógra comrades, we intend to have an influence on the real polls!” said Mr Casey.

He continued,

“We must spread our message through all available avenues! We must get young people thinking. Our people have not always had a vote! A vote is too valuable to waste!”

Mr Casey concluded by encouraging all young republicans to throw themselves whole-heartedly into the election campaign to ensure our strength, unity and progress towards the Irish Republic.

Tiocfaidh Ár Lá !

Ógra Shinn Féin build Solidarity Links in England

Members of Ógra Shinn Féin and the Wolfe Tone Society held a protest at the entrance of 10 Downing Street during the recent annual Bloody Sunday commemoration weekend in London, England (2nd – 4th February).

Protestors, carrying placards and banners descended on the entrance to Downing Street to call for the immediate resignation of Ronnie Flanagan over his involvement in collusion through his reign of being chief constable of the RUC and PSNI, and for The British PM to come clean on the issue of Collusion.

The protest was part of an Irish Republican youth weekend.

Irish republican youth Group, Ógra Shinn Féin sent over a strong delegation and were involved in many activities throughout the weekend including a tour of central London. Such sites included places were Irish immigrants set up home in England and various spots were Britain’s occupation of Ireland was felt directly on Britain as well as visiting Peace activist Brian Haw, who has been protesting for nearly 6 years outside the British Houses of Parliament, since June 2001.

Barry McColgan, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin also addressed the Annual Bloody Sunday panel discussion, alongside John Kelly of the Bloody Sunday Families, Raymond McCartney of Sinn Fein, Alan Bracknell of the Pat Finucane Centre and British Labour leadership challenger, John McDonnell.

Speaking following the weekend, Barry McColgan of Ógra Shinn Féin thanked the organisers of the weekend and praised the organisation's supporting the Irish republican struggle in England.

"Building a solidarity movement in Britain is one of the national strategic objectives of Sinn Fein, building a strong base in England to call for Britain’s withdrawal from Ireland. It is an inspiration to see and hear of many of the action undertaken by republicans in Britain in support of the cause of Irish unity."

"The weekend has gone some way in doing that. I would like to commend and congratulate both the Wolfe tone society and troops out movement, not only for this weekend but also for the sterling work they do for the Irish Republican movement as a whole”

Vote - It's Your Right!

A Chara,

An Assembly elections has been called in the North of Ireland for March 7th.

Ógra Shinn Féin are urging all youth who have registered, to come out and vote. The right to vote was not something that was easily granted - the right to vote was fought for by a risen people, who where censored, batoned, shot and murdered in the pursuit of suffrage.

Voting rights where dragged from the oppressers, by Women suffragettes in the early twentieth century, by Black's in the US in the early 1960's and by Irish Civil Rights activists in the 60's/70's marching on the streets and countryside across the North.

Voting today may seem like a luxury, but it is a right that was hard fought to achieve and therefore should be used wisely. It is powerful tool that allows all citizens to exercise their democratic choice in the party which best expresses and delivers on their politics.

A vote is a instrument of change that that all citizens should cherish, every vote counts and makes influence. The Dalai Lama once explaining the importance of the individual said,

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito."

All citizens especially the youth, should feel empowered in this election and vote for change, in the words of Che Guevera,

"I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves."

If you will not be home on March 7th for any reason (student, work commitments or travelling to Milan for the Celtic match), you are still entitled to vote and can apply for a postal or proxy form before Thursday 15th February.

Forms are available from local Sinn Féin offices or can be downloaded (please print double-sided) from:

www.eoni.org.uk/av_form_-_rpf9a_ni_-2.pdf.

If you require assistance or further information contact your local Sinn Féin office.

Is mise le meas,

Ógra Shinn Féin

Batasuna Leader To Visit Ireland

Basque political leader Arnaldo Otegi will visit Ireland on Monday February 12th and Tuesday February 13th for a series of engagements on the Irish and Basque peace processes.

Batasuna leader Arnaldo Otegi will be accompanied by party negotiator Pernando Barrena on a two day trip to Ireland.

In addition to meeting with political and community leaders in Dublin and Belfast the Batasuna leader will address two public meetings.


Belfast - Monday Feb 12th - Roddy McCorley Club, Wolfe Tone Room, Glen Road, Belfast 7pm

Dublin - Tuesday Feb 13th - Teachers Club, Room 6, Parnell Square 7pm

Segi (Basque Youth) Solidarity Protest in Letterkenny

Segi Solidarity Protest

Saturday 10th February

@ 2pm

Market Square

Letterkenny

Organised by Donegal Ógra Shinn Féin


Related Link:

http://ograshinnfein.blogspot.com/2007/01/gra-shinn-fin-demand-end-to-basque.html

Strong, Invincible, I am Women!

Ógra Shinn Féin have produced a new video which highlights the huge role that women have played in Ireland’s Freedom Struggle.

The video links Women’s role from 1916 with Cumann na mban, through female activists in Civil Rights, the IRA and Street Agitation until modern day with women activists in Sinn Féin and Ógra.

Today in the struggle we believe that the maximum number of people must be mobilized to achieve Irish unity. The aim of the A.R.I.S.E campaign is help build a broad anti imperialist movement to mobilize on the issue of self-determination for the Irish people.

There is a need for women to link women's self determination with the core demand of self determination for the nation. In order to do this we must make this demand relevant to working class women. We must be involved in the struggles which affect a broad section of women. We must show them through involvement in their struggles on social and economic issues, which are our struggles, that their freedom is intertwined with the reunification of our country.

The ending of partition will see the dismantling of right wing power on both sides of the border and the establishment of democracy in Ireland.

In the words of Mairead Farrell:

"I'm oppressed as a woman, but I am also oppressed because I'm Irish. Everyone in this country is oppressed and we can't successfully end our oppression as women until we first end the oppression of our country. But I don't think that's the end of it. It happened before where women took the back seat. But women today have gone through too much, no way will they allow that to happen.”


To view video please log onto:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v4WDTZlpZg

Mórshiúil ar son Acht Gaeilge

A chairde,Beidh mórshiúil go lár chathair Bhéal Feirste ag tarlú Dé Sathairn 24ú Feabhra, é eagraithe ag eagrais éagsúla atá ag éileamh Acht Gaeilge do na Sé Chondae.

Tá ceithre bunéileamh don Acht ag an scátheagras atá ag iarraidh go mbeadh Acht Gaeilge sna Sé Chondae, agus is iad sin:

* Cloígh le gealltanas Chill Rímhinn
* Cearta Gaeilgeoirí ag croí an Achta
* Acmhainní oiriúnacha leis an Acht a chur i bhfeidhm
* Coimisinéir na Gaeilge leis an Acht a mhaoirsiú

Beidh daoine ag bualadh le chéile lasmuigh de Chultúrlann Mc Adam Ó Fiaich ar Bhóthar na bhFál le fágáil ag 1in ar an lá.

Bí linn.

There will be a march to Belfast city centre happening on Saturday 24th February, organised by a number of organisations that are demanding an Irish Language Act for the North.

The umbrella group that is pushing for an Irish Language Act for the North has made four basic demands for the Act, which are:
* Keep the St Andrew's Committment
* Irish speakers' rights at the heart of the Act
* Adequate resources to implement the Act
* An Irish language commissioner for the North

People will be meeting outside Cultúrlann Mc Adam Ó Fiaich on the Falls Road to set off at 1pm on the day.

Be there.

UCC Ógra Remember the Hungerstrikers

Ciarán MacConaglaigh
UCC ÓSF
Martin Hurson Cumann

The night of the 30th of January was a proud night for the UCC Martin Hurson Cumann, as the sound of the Youghal Republican flute band echoed off the walls of the Quad of UCC. This commemoration followed on from last years vigil that was held by the members of the Martin Hurson Cumann in UCC to commemorate the 10 brave men who gave their life’s in 1981.

There were however several differences between the commemorations held this year and the one held last year. Most notably was the inclusion of the Youghal Republican flute band, which UCC Sinn Féin would like to thank for attending. They added immensely to the atmosphere as they played through the University. The numbers were even a surprise to the Cumann as many more people attended the commemoration; this is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the members of UCC cumann.

The commemoration commenced in the Amphitheatre outside the Student centre and from there passed through the Quad and beside the Aula Maxima, a place that used to be home to a statue of Queen Victoria. From there the march continued to the Republican Plaque at Gaol Cross and a wreath was laid as Ruadhain MacAodhain gave an oration in Irish.

The march then proceeded to the Republican plot in UCC where Ken O’Connor gave a rousing oration on the Republican struggle, its past, its present and its future. The Chair of UCC Ógra, Ken Ahern, then read out the Proclamation of 1916, before there was a minute’s silence for the memory of all our fallen Comrades.

This has been a time of great change within the Republican movement. However the members of UCC Ógra saw last night as our step to the strengthening of our movement in Cork. It was a very proud night for me as a Republican, as it was for the rest of the Cumann, to see such a large turn out assembled in UCC to mark this event, a place that is traditionally hostile to Republican Politics.

We will remain United Comrades, We will go forward in our struggle for a United 32 County Socialist Republic, and the fact that such a successful event of this nature was held in UCC is testament to the fact that more and more people are hearing our message and want the same.

Comrades onwards to the 32 County Socialist Republic.

Tiocfaidh ár la!