Ógra Shinn Fein delegation builds strong links in the Catalan Countries

An Ógra Shinn Féin delegation have returned to Ireland after spending a week touring the Catalan Countries. The delegation were based in Barcelona for the week.

They were hosted by youth movement JERC.

JERC are a pro independence youth movement established throughout the Catalan Countries and can trace their history back to the Spanish Civil war when they fought against the Fascist dictatorship of Franco. The delegation was only one of a number of engagements between the two groups in the recent past, with JERC attending and supporting the national Hunger Strike rally in Tyrone.

Ógra had a number of engagements with various, political, social and cultural groups as well as trade union’s and youth organisations. Amongst the groups they met whilst in the Catalan Countries was Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) who are in a coalition government in the Catalan Parliament.

Also included in the schedule of meetings were ‘Alliberats’, The Catalan Youth Agency, the Catalan youth forum and a meeting with Polo Democratico from Columbia. The delegation was also hosted in receptions with various mayors and in various town halls throughout the Catalan Countries.

Whilst in the Catalan Countries, Ógra took part in a number of public talks and conducted a series of interviews with various newspapers, radio stations and a regional television channel explaining their visit and also talking about the struggle in Ireland.

During the tour Ógra also attended a thronged meeting ahead of a referendum on independence in the town of Arenys de Munt. The meeting was attended by hundreds and was in support of the independence lobby in the referendum. During the proceeding the Ógra delegation was warmly welcomed to the public meeting. This welcome was met with sustained applause from the many hundreds who had gathered for the meeting.

The poll, organised in Arenys de Munt had been deemed void by the Spanish government even before voting commenced. However the pro independence movement pressed ahead with the poll on the Catalan national day, 11th September. In the poll, an overwhelmingly majority of 96% voted for independence from the Spanish state.

Speaking on the delegation, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin, Barry McColgan said:

“Our week long tour of the Catalan Countries was very successful in a number of ways. Firstly it allowed the Irish delegation to give an update of the current situation in Ireland. It furthermore allowed us to learn of the current political and organisational realities in the Catalan countries and to learn from JERC’s admirable organisation and to take these lessons back to Ireland.”

“JERC is the largest youth movement in the Catalan Countries and their organisational capabilities are proven every year at the Acampa Jove where upwards of 30,000 young Catalans converge for a popular music festival organised by JERC.”

“While in the Catalan Countries we witnessed their progress for independence particularly with the referendum in Arenys de Munt. This demonstrates the huge support the independence movement enjoys in the Catalan Countries.”

“This is only one of a number of engagements we have had with JERC in recent years. We have been building upon our links and this has seen delegations to both the Catalan Countries and also delegations to Ireland. This week long tour was about building upon those relations and exchanging thoughts and ideas, assisting each other in advancing our struggles for youth and independence in the Catalan Countries and Ireland.”