RUC/PSNI attacking peaceful ÓSF protest in Omagh September 2004
Personal Opinion
Donal O Driscoll
Ógra Shinn Féin
As we enter into a very challenging period for republicanism, I would like to appeal to republicans to have a bit of perspective. The possibility of joining the Policing Board is something that republicans will find very problematic. What is important in the forthcoming debate is that we realise that not only is this unease natural, but healthy.
The media will, as they have for so long, make republicans out to be the bad guys. If we reject policing, we are 'against peace'; if we accept it, it will be a case of 'what took you so long'? This is why I would warn against SF members buying into policing prematurely on the ground that 'it has to be done'. It doesn't.
The sky will not collapse if SF do not sit on the policing boards; the armed struggle will not suddenly recommence.
Amid all this hysteria in the media, the question of what is right for the republican project is continuously ignored. Sinn Féin is not about getting a few votes and becoming part of a Six County establishment; it is about the struggle to achieve a Socialist Republic along the lines of the Proclamation. The issue of policing could potentially tear this party apart and that cannot be underestimated.
If we are weakened and divided on this issue, how can we implement effective change on this island? The tyrants, hypocrites and liars of the media establishment, both here and in Britain, will not come to our aid if our acceptance of policing results in a haemorrhaging of large numbers of dedicated activists.
I would ask members to take a very hard look at the potential damage this could do to the party. Don't buy into the media hype; the world will not come to an end if we decide to stand our ground on this issue.
2 comments:
I agree that policing is a tough issue. Im not sure yet what is more important. Effective policing or the general republican principal of being Anti Brit forces in Ireland? It is my desire to remove the British administartion in Ireland. I would like to see policing for the community but is intergrating republicans into policing not going to make the process of removing the force in the future harder? However, in the 'ghettos' of Belfast you have joyriding scum, housebreakers and general antisocials roaming the streets at large were the decent Irish people are afraid to leave there homes whenit gets dark and live in constant fear. We dont have the previous law enforcing organisations that were once present in belfast for 40 years. Is this a bigger issue that needs to be adressed and the general anti police attitude ammended? This will be a tough decission for anyone to make. I hope the leadership of Sinn Fein make the right choice, whatever it my be.
Onwards to the socialist republic!
Joyriding scum, housebreakers and general anti-socials roaming the streets. It just sounds like Limerick or any other Irish city that has seen a breakdown in community cohesion within working class communities.
Does policing anywhere serve working class communities well? The answer to date is No! We only have to look to the fine example of the GARDAI.
Should this question be the crux of the debate at this time in terms of the issue of republicans becoming involved in policing structures in the north.
I DON'T THINK SO.
Our focus should primarily be on how to break the back of the cabal that are the political detectives, who are forever frustrating change and forever ensuring no end to the nationalist nightmare in the north.
Political institutions with the potential to deliver our all-Ireland agenda will never be allowed to bed down, while the political detectives remain in place and unchecked, working hand in hand with British spooks and securocrats, who are still at war by all means nescessary with Irish republicans.
Look at the history of the peace process - Stormontgate etc, etc.
Sinn Féin have been stating for ages what we need for a new beginning to policing. We even passed a motion detailing this at last years Ard Fheis.
If the political process continues and momentum is built, someday and maybe sooner than we think, we are going to get what we asked for and then what do we do? Think about it comrades - we will have to honestly face the challenges ahead.
No to political policing! Yes to a new beginning to policing on an all-Ireland basis which is civic!
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