Strategy Meeting + Upcoming Hunger Strike Event: ÓSF Athlone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coHVHsKQBA8

On Tuesday evening last, Ógra Shinn Féin Athlone held a very successful planning meeting in order to formulate a youth strategy for the area over the coming months and cement plans for the upcoming Youth Hunger Strike event in the town.

The meeting was well attended and included activists from both Roscommon and Westmeath sides of the town including Sinn Féin Town Councillor and the candidate for Longford-Westmeath in the most recent General election, Paul Hogan. Plans were discussed for the summer and thereafter including reforming of the Athlone cumann to incorporate both electoral divisions and a strategic work-plan was discussed by the group which will help to guide activity into the future.

There were a range of ideas put forward at the meeting in relation to youth campaigning and we hope to transform the strategy into comprehensive and co-ordinated on the ground activism very soon. In the short term, Ógra Átha Luain are encouraging republicans from all across the midlands to attend their regional Hunger Strike commemorative event taking place on Wednesday 13^th July at 7.30pm in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

This event takes place on the 30^th anniversary of Martin Hurson’s death while on Hunger Strike in the H-Blocks. Martin stood in the 1981 General Election for Longford/Westmeath, polling over 10% of the vote and just missing out on taking a seat in that constituency; he remains to this day an inspiration to the people of Athlone and indeed to all young republicans.

There will be a specific focus on the topic of ‘youth in struggle’ for this event which will include a book launch of the recently published ‘Diary of Bobby Sands’, a DVD showing of ‘Blanketmen’ which gives an insight into the lives of republican prisoners around this time and a talk given by Seán Lynch, a former republican prisoner in Long Kesh and recently-elected MLA for Fermanagh/South Tyrone who was central to the anti-H Blocks campaign throughout the 1980's. The event will be chaired by Athlone Town Councillor Paul Hogan.

David McWeeney of Athlone Ógra Shinn Féin is encouraging people to attend this unique event making the point that ‘while the death of Martin Hurson and his fellow hunger-strikers wrought much grief and anguish for people across Ireland, its aftermath certainly brought new beginnings; the Hunger-Strike evoked emotions worldwide and a new emphasis was placed on the republican struggle. It is now, 30 years later, that we must reflect on what these people have achieved for Irish republicanism and acknowledge the enormous level of courage and bravery involved in undertaking the overwhelming task of a hunger-strike, not knowing whether they would live or die.

‘An interesting aspect of the republican movement is that it doesn’t matter how far you go back, youth have always been to the forefront in the struggle for Irish freedom, and the hunger strikers were no different - young men and women with sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers.

‘I think going forward it is vital that today’s generation of young republicans and, indeed, young people in general, have an understanding of the commitment and determination these people possessed, as well as the fact that they were young people themselves. This type of event is unique to the area and is a fantastic chance to meet new friends, discuss republicanism with other young people and learn something new in a relaxed atmosphere. There will be coffee, tea and refreshments served afterwards and of course, everyone is welcome to come along, young or old. Bígí linn!’

To find out more about this event or about joining Ógra in the Athlone area just contact ÓSF Átha Luain at osf-athaluain@hotmail.com or call on 086-8309431.

Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoin ócáid seo nó faoi ÓSF in Átha Luain é féin, téigh i dteagmháil linn ag osf-athaluain@hotmail.com nó cuir glaoch orainn ar 086-8309431.