'Marriage equality for LGBT couples is a civil right' - Dublin Republican Youth

A Sinn Féin banner at the Dublin Pride Parade

 Republican Youth activists were proud to support the Pride Parade in Dublin earlier today.

An estimated 30,000 people took part in today's Pride Parade with more than 100,000 spectators lining the streets to observe the colourful display.

Speaking at the event, Dublin Republican Youth chariperson Jonathan Graham said:

"It's great to see so many people turn out to show support for the LGBT community. A major theme of today's events was the demand for marriage equality for gay couples. The Civil Partnership Act 2011 does not go far enough on the issue and creates a two-tier system where those in straight and gay relationships are treated differently. Civil partnerships do not give those in LGBT relationships the same rights as a married couple.

"We in Sinn Féin Republican Youth believe in civil rights, and the right of LGBT couples to a civil marriage is just one of those rights."

On Monday Sinn Féin will bring a Bill on Marriage Equality before Belfast City Council.

A piece on the issue of Marriage Equality entitled A civil right, not a religious act by Republican Youth activist Sorcha Berry is available in this month's edition of An Phoblacht newspaper

Republican Youth members, Diolúin Ó hUigín, Oisín Kelly, Jonathan Graham and Mick Farrell at the Sinn Féin Bookshop ahead of the parade

Senator Reilly welcomes Republican Youth campaign against youth unemployment and emigration

Senator Kathryn Reilly

Sinn Fein spokesperson on youth affairs Senator Kathryn Reilly has welcomed the launch of Sinn Féin Republican Youth’s “No Jobs, No Future, No Way!” campaign.

The campaign will be rolled out across the 32 Counties in the coming weeks.
Senator Reilly said:

“I commend Sinn Féin Republican Youth for launching this campaign. This is an incredibly difficult time to be young in Ireland. It has been said that for the first time since World War II this generation of Europeans will be worse off than their parents. This is an intolerable situation and Republican Youth are organising a campaign to effect change in national policy, north and south, to put the priorities of young people on the political agenda.

“30% of Irish young people are unemployed and we all know that figure is artificially low when we consider how many of our young people have left our shores for Australia and Canada. Approximately 70,000 young people have just completed their Leaving Cert. The same number of people will emigrate this year.

“This campaign will involve street demonstrations, online engagement and campaigning and concrete alternative proposals to tackle youth unemployment and emigration. I wish Republican Youth every success with the campaign and call on all young people to get involved and play their part.”

Dublin Republican Youth condemns Labour backing for Household Charge

Members of Dublin Republican Youth outside Leinster House last night

 

Sinn Féin Republican Youth has condemned the decision by the Labour Party to vote against a Sinn Féin Bill which would have repealed the unfair Household Charge and reimbursed those who had already paid. 

Speaking at a rally outside Leinster House, Dublin Republican Youth spokesperson Santana Hernandez Power asked: "How can Labour stand over a tax which sees a millionaire living in a mansion pay the same as a person on minimum wage who is struggling to put food on the table?"

"They have proven themselves unwilling to stand up for the people who elected them. People didn't vote for them to act as a mudgaurd for Fine Gael." she said.