SF and Ógra lead opposition to IMF in Cork

Sinn Féin and Ógra Shinn Féin were today at the forefront of the opposition to the IMF in intervention in Cork with a number of initiatives giving voice to the frustrations of ordinary Cork people.

The day of action began, with news filtering through of the increasingly unstable nature of the Government, with press releases from Cllr Jonathan O’Brien calling people on to the streets, and condemning the government for its plans to reduce social welfare and the minimum wage.

A solid team of SF and Ógra activists, as well as SF’s local Cllr’s took the streets in the city centre at lunch time to highlight Sinn Féin’s alternative and our opposition to the IMF intervention, as well as the national Rally and March in Dublin on the 4th of December.
The reaction was encouraging and positive, with many stating their disgust for the policies of the Establishment parties and the consensus for cuts, and a number of people showing interest in the march. The opportunity was also taken to criticise Government Minister Batt O’Keeffe, who’s state car caused the injury of a young Ógra activist the previous night.




A short time later, a team of half a dozen Ógra activists made their way to Cork City hall, and in to the council offices of Fianna Fáil, where they blocked the doors with filing cabinets and hung the Starry Plough and a banner stating 'EU/IMF take note - Ireland is not for sale' .
The group of activists remained in the office for a period of just under two hours, to the great displeasure of Fianna Fáil Cllrs, in particular the council whip.



The incident was covered in a number of news bulletins by both Red FM and 96FM, with National Organiser Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire making the point plainly that the IMF intervention was unwelcome and that ordinary people will suffer as a consequence of Fianna Fáil’s treachery. After being requested to leave on a number of question the activists agreed to leave after a period of time, feeling their point had been made.


In the meantime, the local paper covered a small press release highlighting the fact that Sinn Féin would again be holding a protest at the National Monument on the Grand Parade at 6pm. Having hoped for a few members of the public to turn up to support the protest, organisers were stunned at the size of the crowd, which was variously estimated to be somewhere between 250 and 400 people strong at various points. The crowd marched up Cork’s main streets and was addressed by Cllr’s Jonathan O’Brien, Thomas Gould and Chris O’Leary as well as economist Tom O’Connor.


The march was well supported and greeted with enthusiasm and encouragement from passers-by. The campaign locally will continue and SF will continue to provide leadership, and will protest at the Council budgetary meeting this Wednesday.

Reflecting on the day, National Organiser Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said ‘I am very pleased and very proud to be a republican at times such as these when we show leadership on such fundamental issues as these. Whether in Cork or in Waterford or Dublin or elsewhere, today republicans led from the front, with successful protests in opposition to the IMF and to the forthcoming budget. People are desperate for leadership and for a vision for the future in these dark times, it is crucial that SF is out there putting out its distinctive message and communicating its vision for a new Ireland.


Its particularly important that young people and Ógra activists are to the fore of such campaigns. However, while I would note that we can be pleased with today’s actions, we cannot rest on our laurels, and that we must push on, and bring the fight to the establishment. They are worried, and they are rightly worried because people are beginning to see that the old ways will simply not work anymore. We need to ensure that this message remains current, that we need an alternative. These campaigns will continue nationwide, I would encourage all activists to get involved.’