Ógra Speech at Catalan Youth Festival

Johnny McGibbon

Bona tarda jovent dels Paisos Catalans.

Friends and comrades,

It is an honour and a privilege to speak to you today as a representative of Sinn Féin and of Ógra Shinn Féin. Speaking as a member of the Republican Movement is always an honour, but even more so in front of people such as you.

Irish Republicans have had a long struggle against foreign imperialism in our country. From the rebellion of 1798 and Wolfe Tone, striving to unite “Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter”; to the Easter Rebellion of 1916 and onwards to the latest phase of our struggle; Republicans have an unbroken tradition of resistance to British rule in Ireland.

This opposition remains today.

Sinn Féin are now in government in the northern Assembly as the largest nationalist/republican party, and are the third largest party in the whole of Ireland. A feat many thought impossible 20 or even 10 years ago.

In the past we have faced impossible odds, and had to overcome barrier after barrier, in pursuit of what we know is right. It is now that we are beginning to see the results of the courageous struggle we have had in the past.

But this doesn’t mean it is over.

Our struggle is at its most popular now than at any time since the partition of Ireland, over 80 years ago. But our goals are not yet complete, nor should they be taken for granted. And this is where the importance of Ógra and of Irish Republican youth comes to the fore.

We strive to be the generation that builds and lives in a United and Independent Ireland. We continue to campaign on issues of national and social relevance, growing all the time and helping to popularise the Irish Republican struggle. We openly show our solidarity internationally to peoples rightly entitled to their national independence and sovereignty such as Palestine, the Basque Country and Catalan Countries.

And we simply will not stop until we achieve a United, Independent Irish Republic, based on freedom, rights and justice for all. A new Ireland, an Ireland of Equals. We hope Ireland will act as a beacon to other countries and peoples throughout the world; but we continue to take inspiration from the Basque Country, Palestine, Catalan Countries and beyond.

In conclusion friends,

Your struggle like ours cannot be defeated, it cannot be broken, but it is the young people who must ensure the struggle continues. The youth must ensure the dream becomes a reality.

I leave you with an Irish phrase, made famous by Irish Hunger Striker Bobby Sands in a secret diary he kept for the first 17 days of his 66 day Hunger Strike.

“Tiocfaidh Ár Lá!”

Independencia i Socialisme!

La Lluita Continua!