Sinn Féin Critical of British Army Recruitment in Portadown

Craigavon Sinn Féin Councillor and Ógra activist Johnny McGibbon has criticised the announcement of a British Army open day in Portadown this weekend. The event has seen advertising and posters being distributed through local papers in the Craigavon area.

Cllr. McGibbon stated,

“The British Army is misleading young people with promises of ‘rewarding careers and part-time jobs’, ‘great pay’ and ‘all the action and adventure you can handle’, the truth however is much different. Young people will find themselves in battle zones and war torn nations, without any hope of the glamorous careers being advertised to them in Portadown.”

He continued,

“As a young republican, I believe British Army recruitment in Ireland continues to be unacceptable. While I accept that many young unionists may not have the same view of the British Army as I do, I would call on them to reject these attempts to recruit them into discredited, illegal wars which could lead to them losing their lives. As we have seen in Britain, the families of many dead British soldiers are asking why did their loved ones have to die.”

10 Years of Change

AnPhoblachtAbú

In 1998 I was just 12 years old. Yet like many of my friends and peer group, I knew something momentous was happening. We may not have understood the fine detail of a deal which would provide such great political opportunity, and drama, in the years ahead; but we did know something was changing.

We knew there was huge hope in our community for peace, for equality and for a path to a united Ireland. Even at such a young age we had some understanding of the politics of the time. I suppose in the backdrop of things like the Garvaghy Road, and the Orange Order’s insistence on triumphantly forcing a parade through a nationalist community, it’s easy to see how a child can become easily politicised. Even a child can see a community under siege.

I remember thinking at the time and in the aftermath, as my understanding increased, “what does this agreement mean?”

As I became a bit older I began to realise what it meant to me at least. It meant change. It still means change, and the opportunity for further change.

The Agreement meant that all the concerns, problems and issues that come from our community could no longer be brushed under the carpet. Whether it was the release of political prisoners, parades, policing or the Irish Language, the concerns of the nationalist community must now be treated with the respect they are due.

Even if it is a battle a day, we must fight to ensure that all communities are treated on the basis of equality. One thing is certain though, the ‘Fenians’ will never be ‘put in their place’ again.

Needless to say, the Agreement predictably ran into trouble over the years. Up-down, suspension, banned ministers, so called ‘spy-rings’, ‘robberies’, arms issues, allegation after allegation, policing….. Yet despite all this we sit in 2008 with a power sharing executive in the north, secure and expanding All-Ireland institutions and are in the process of changing the face of policing and justice in this island forever.

Problems are likely to continue to arise, as our opponents continue to make it difficult for us and knock our project off course. So we must continue with our efforts and our determination and never take our eyes off the prize.

10 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, I think we our knocking on the door of freedom. I think re-unification is within our grasp. Many people had and still have problems with the Agreement. But it is not a settlement. In my view our struggle is no longer about maintaining the flame, or continuing the fight. It is now about completion.

To me the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is not a stepping stone to a united Ireland; it’s the final stepping stone.

Turkey jails Kurdish Nobel nominee

A Turkish court has sentenced Leyla Zana, a Kurdish politician and former Nobel peace prize nominee, to two years in prison for spreading "terrorist" propaganda, in Turkish occupied Kurdistan. This sentencing is yet another attempt from the Turkish government to stem the workings of the Kurdish Worker's Party.

The fact that Zana was convicted for a speech she made at Kurdish festival last year, shows the contempt of the Turkish authorities for the Kurdish Worker's Party. Time and again the Turkish government have tried their utmost to hinder the Kurdish Worker's Party.

In the speech, she said that the Kurdish people had three leaders, Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani, Kurdish politicians in northern Iraq, and Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader.
Zana came to prominence in 1994 when she was convicted for links to the PKK, which is outlawed in Turkey.

She was released in 2004 after Turkey's appeals court overturned her conviction and that of three other Kurdish former politicians.

Ógra Shinn Féin recognise the efforts of the Kurdish people in their struggle against the Turkish government. In recent months the campaign against the PKK have intensified greatly. At this time the people of Kurdistan need the solidarity of the interneational community in the face of Turkish oppression.

Unfortunately with the likes of Brown and Bush in the hot seat this solidarity is unlikely to be forthcoming.

The cause of the Kurds is the cause of every people who struggle for liberation in this world. Ógra Shinn Féin stand in solidarity with the PKK and the people of Kurdistan.

In the words of Ché Guevara, "try always to be able to feel deeply any injustice committed against any person in any part of the world. It is the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary."

Good Friday Agreement… All Changed Utterly!

Community Activist
Ógra Shinn Féin

10 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, all has changed utterly, but a terrible beauty has yet to be born.

We have witnessed many groundbreaking achievements in 10 short years, major progress with the equality agenda, prisoner releases, disbandment of the UDR/RIR, commencement of major changes to the RUC, republican influence on the parades commission, divided unionism, forcing the DUP into power sharing and have continued to popularise the demand for Irish Unity.

Not forgetting our comrades in Castlerea, and others incarcerated in Portlaoise and Maghaberry, the early release of republican prisoners has played a hugely positive role in empowering the marginalised and neglected communities from which they came.

Former republican prisoners have also been pivotal in the progress of the peace process through engagement with their community and through crucial negotiations and at the assembly where some are now elected activists.

The Good Friday Agreement has introduced equality legislation which has ensured people being able to proudly express their Irish identity and has secured more funding on a needs basis for many republican/nationalist communities, which has been directed into many worthwhile educational and youth projects.

The progress of the Good Friday Agreement has witnessed increasingly more peaceful summer months, especially in interface areas, and while establishment media and other naysayers and begrudgers wish to over exaggerate growing sectarianism, interface clashes, and sectarian attacks have been on the decline. And the emerging peaceful society has made meaningful engagement between republicans and the unionist community possible.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but while sincere community activists confront the plight of sectarianism, the pen pushers, naval gazers and people of no responsibility snipe from the side lines.

I suppose a flourishing peace process and national reconciliation doesn’t make for good news!

While we have made huge strides forward on many issues and created a relatively peaceful society, there are many outstanding key issues in order to embed a lasting peace.

The demilitarisation of the British War Machine in Ireland has yet to be completed. Although progress has been made in regards this issue, 5000 British Soldiers still occupy a huge part of Irish national territory. This is completely unacceptable, flies in the face of the British Government’s commitments in the Good Friday Agreement and must be resolved in the short term ahead.

Recognising progress has been made on the issue of policing, we need the immediate transfer of policing and justice powers and even then and with republican influence now on DPP’s and the policing board, it will take many years to put right policing following the years of institutionalised sectarianism and state murder.

The Good Friday Agreement while not being a republican document does contain one major asset, the principle of consent. When a majority north and south vote in referenda for a United Ireland, the Brits under international agreement will finally pull down the watch towers and go home at last.

While this presents a huge opportunity, it is also a huge challenge and places huge responsibility on our shoulders to be the generation that imaginatively and energetically popularises the demand for Irish freedom and outreaches to Unionism re-assuring them of a positive and prosperous future in a United Ireland.

It is a challenge but no more and perhaps less of a challenge that was facing the women and men of Easter 1916 and the Armagh/Long Kesh prisoners of 80/81, a challenge that republicans will adapt to and overcome.

10 years into the Good Friday Agreement, as a young republican, I have witnessed huge transformations in my local community, society and in Irish politics. While some have been negative and have tested me as a republican, the majority of change has been positive.

In 1998 over two thirds of the Irish people, green and orange, voted for a better, a shared future. They entrusted their hopes and dreams in our hands, we must continue with that task and ensure that a terrible beauty is born.

Ógra Laighean Launch Major Recruitment Drive

Ógra Shinn Féin Cúige Laighean launched an extensive recruitment drive this past weekend in an effort to further boost Ógra membership across the Cúige. Members from the south end of the cúige came together to launch the latest in a series of initiatives to develop Ógra in Leinster. Extensive recruitment drives were undertaken in Naas, Bray, Gorey and Wexford during weekend which saw housing estates in those areas receiving Ógra recruitment leaflets. The hope is that by undertaking such an extensive recruitment drive the cúige may build on the unparalleled development witnessed in recent times.

Naas
The weekend's events began in in Naas on Saturday morning where Ógra activists from South Leinster came together with local Sinn Féin activists to begin the weekend's work. Beginning at 11 o clock the group delivered leaflets to well in excess of 700 houses. The local organisation also benefited from the presence of the Ógra activists giving out information leaflets on the upcoming Lisbon Treaty, sending out the very clear message of Vote No to the people of Naas.


Bray

Later that day the group moved to Bray where with the help of Wicklow Sinn Féin members targeted some of Bray's largest estates with the Ógra recruitment leaflets. The reception in Bray was particularly good where there was a positive reaction from many of the young people who received the literature. The group spent over two hours in Bray delivering several hundred leaflets in the Wicklow county town, before retiring for a well deserved break.


Gorey

Sunday began at 12 in Gorey town where local members again weighed in with the recruitment effort. Gorey was particularly successful where Ógra literature was delivered to four of the town's biggest estates. After a successful morning in Gorey the group of activists moved downwards to Wexford for the final leg of the weekend's activities.


Wexford


The weekend was drawing to a close at 3 on Sunday afternoon when the group of activists arrived in Wexford town. Wexford was a buzz that afternoon with the Wexford U 21 team playing in Wexford Park. The activists ebbed on by the atmosphere began their work immediately. That afternoon three of Wexford's largest housing estates were targeted with the Ógra recruitment leaflets.


And Next...

This coming Sunday the leaflet blitz will conclude with two further leaflet drops in Kilkenny and Carlow, following a Cúige Laighean EGM in Árd Oifig Dublin. Anyone interested in taking part in the drops should contact leinster_secretary@yahoo.ie, or get in touch with Peadar on 0851443832

Solidarity with Palestine

In Dublin this weekend there will be a large mobilisation taking place in Solidarity with the people of Palestine. The march will focus on the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Deir Yassin in 1948 and the continued oppression of Palestinians in Gaza today.

In 1948 Palestinians were driven from their homeland by the European Jewish settlers, this territory then became known as Israel. The Palestinians did this through a combination of terror and massacre. Today in Gaza this terror and massacre is still prevalent with the Israeli authorities terrorising and massacring Palestinians prompting fears of renewed mass ethnic cleansing.

Israel's continued oppression of the Palestinian people cannot be allowed to go on. Ógra Shinn Féin are calling on Republicans to mobilise in Dublin this Saturday in support of the people of Gaza. Israel continued occupation of Palestine and the oppression of her people is akin to the atrocities of the British in Ireland.

The march will be departing from the Central Bank on Dame st. at 2 o' clock this Saturday 12 April, and will be followed by a public meeting in Wynn's Hotel at 4pm. Republicans must show their solidarity with the people of Palestine and mobilise in Dublin on Saturday - Solidarity with Palestine!

Led the way before and shall do it again!

Gemma McKenna
Ógra Shinn Féin

Invisible Women

The singer sings a rebel song
And everybody sings along.
Just one thing I’ll never understand:
Every damn rebel seems to be a man

For he sings of the Bold Fenian Men
And the Boys of the Old Brigrade.
What about the women who stood there too
“When history was made”..?

Ireland, Mother Ireland,
With your freedom loving sons,
Did your daughters run at the sounds of guns?
Or did they have some part in the fight
And why does everybody
Keep them out of sight?

For they sing of the Men o the West
And the boys of Wexford too.
Were there no women round those parts;
Tell me, what did they do..?


The poem by Brian Moore sums up the place women have been resigned to in Irish history. But as the poem suggests it is completely unjustified, with women rather than running away at the sound of shot guns, rose up and stood beside their male counterparts in order to defeat the British together.

Women have been active from the very beginning of this struggle and have played a crucial role within Sinn Fein.

If we look at politics today it is still male dominated and currently all the leaders of large parties are men. However along with its revolutionary politics Sinn Fein also promoted women as equal to men. This is clear in the fact that Margaret Buckley was President of the party from 1937 to 1950, making it a first for Irish politics, with her the first woman to be the leader of any major party in Ireland and something that has yet to be repeated.

Margaret Buckley dedicated her whole life to achieving freedom for her country, she joined Cork branch of Inghinidhe n'Eireann in 1901 at the young age of 16 and went on to be a founding member of the Cork Branch of Fianna Eireann.

She was a member of Cumann na mBan before the Easter rising and was then imprisoned for a year in mountjoy after it. When she was later imprisoned in 1923 she participated alongside other prisoners in a mass hunger strike.

This woman is an inspiration to us all!

She is a reminder that her and many other women did not shut themselves at home but rose up against British oppression and fought for freedom alongside their male comrades. She sacrificed and suffered in order to free her country, she did not leave it up to others or indeed to men to win the fight for her.

Margaret Buckley was not only a follower but a great leader which is shown clearly in the fact that she was President of Sinn Fein for 13 years.

She didn’t wait for others to make a difference, instead she took control. If we think politics is unfriendly to women now, what difficulties to you think this woman encountered over 60 years ago?

Yet she didn’t back down instead her abilities and skills won her the respect of the party.

I urge all female activists to take a note from Margaret Buckley, if she took the led over 60 years ago then why can we not do it now? This woman and others like her have travelled the difficult path in order to path the way for us.

Now it is up to you what road you take, you can choose to make excuses and leave it to others to continue the struggle or you can fulfil your potential and continue the fight for freedom, the fight for equality.

Read over this poem and make your own decision:

For strong women

A strong woman is a woman who loves

strongly and weeps strongly and is strongly

terrified and has strong needs. A strong woman is strong

in words, in action, in connection, in feeling;

she is not strong as a stone but as a wolf

suckling her young. Strength is not in her, but she

enacts it as the wind fills a sail.

What comforts her is others loving

her equally for the strength and for the weakness

from which it issues, lightning from a cloud.

Lightning stuns. In rain, the clouds disperse.

Only water of connection remains,

flowing through us. Strong is what we make

each other. Until we are all strong together,

a strong woman is a woman strongly afraid.

Marge Piercy

Ógra blitz West Belfast with Several thousand N.A.R.C. leaflets

Ógra Shinn Féin undertook a large scale leaflet drop in west Belfast at the weekend. Following a meeting of the Ulster Cuige Ógra members leafleted several thousand houses on the N.A.R.C. (Not another Ravaged Community) campaign in the Andersonstown area.

Uladh organiser of Ógra Shinn Fein, Johnny McGibbon following the meeting said

“Drug and alcohol abuse present a huge problem to modern Irish society leaving behind a trail of destroyed lives and ravaged communities. Ireland has for a long time struggled with chronic levels of alcoholism, and in recent years witnessed an alarming growth in the misuse and abuse of illicit drugs.

“Through our campaign we have already had numerous engagements with drugs and alcohol awareness groups. We also have had a number of engagements with young people about how we can help to stem the rising levels of drug and alcohol abuse amongst our peers. Today’s leaflet drop was about spreading the aims of the campaign to a wider audience and with several thousand leaflets having been distributed we hope that people will hear our call for Not Another Ravaged Community”

Time’s Running Out!

Yes that’s right time’s almost up to get your tickets for the upcoming Laighean Ógra Bodhrán raffle. Tickets have been selling like a gig for ‘More Power 2 Your Elbow’, but fortunately enough there are still a limited number left and can be obtained from reputable Cúige Laighean activists and other usual outlets.


The draw will be taking place following the upcoming Cúige Laighean meeting on Saturday 12 April. The bodhrán is a once off bodhrán designed by the prisoners in Castlerea. The bodhrán is a picture of the Ógra Shinn Féin logo as well as na Fianna’s Roll of Honour.

Tickets are selling at €2 a ticket, and three for €5, or four for €10 if you are lucky enough to hail from Tyrone. If you’re not in you can’t win, so get your tickets now before they sell out.

To get your hands on tickets for the Cúige Laighean raffle contact leinster_secretary@yahoo.ie; or ring Peadar on +353851443832, agus go n-éirí libh.

Ógra Shinn Féin welcomes Taoiseach’s Resignation

Ógra Shinn Féin welcomes the resignation of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Mr Ahern announced that he will be resigning from office on May 6 after 11 years as Taoiseach and 14 years as leader of Fianna Fail.

Speaking on the Taoiseach’s resignation, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin Barry McColgan said,

“While Bertie Ahern has played a positive role in the peace process, overall his tenure has ensured that Ireland has regressed on many key issues including public services, neutrality, the equality agenda, political transparency, national heritage/resources and suicide prevention.”

“His years in office have ensured that Ireland is one of the most unequal countries in the world with an ever growing gap between rich and poor. Despite the huge economic boost delivered by the Celtic tiger, almost a decade later it is clear that only a small percentage have benefited.”

“Bertie Ahern has pushed forward with and endorsed a privatisation policy that is ensuring a sub standard, and two tier service on many critical areas like health. The legacy of under funding and privatisation on health will mean a stark difference in the service delivered to those who can and cannot pay, and huge numbers of otherwise preventable deaths as waiting lists grow.”

“Suicide is the biggest killer of our young people across Ireland , and Leinster House’s response to this growing epidemic has been downright scandalous, and dangerous. The small level of funding directed at dealing with this huge tragedy has remained static and Bertie Ahern’s own record on the issue of suicide has been insensitive and dismissive, as was demonstrated by his grossly negligent remarks on suicide at the ICTU conference last year.”

“Throughout his decade in power we have also witnessed Bertie Ahern contravening Irish neutrality with his compliance on the US/British illegal and murderous occupation of Iraq . Not only has Bertie Ahern authorised huge numbers of US war planes to re-fuel at Shannon , he has also been compliant in the illegal extradition flights. This makes a mockery of Irish neutrality and basic human rights.”

“We have also witnessed a disregard to the very ideas espoused in the 1916 proclamation with the give away of the Irish Corrib Gas field’s and the proposed demolition of the hugely historic Hill of Tara site. The government’s bully boy tactics in baton charging, intimidating and jailing the communities and activists that campaign against these criminal government acts, would be condemned internationally if it was happening in Zimbabwe.”

“Perhaps the Taoiseach’s crowning legacy will be his dodgy dealings and overt corruption, which has now forced him to resign. This has been very damaging to political transparency and has a negative impact on engaging young people in politics. We must campaign against the brown envelope politics that Fianna Fail has growingly come to represent, and work to ensure that a more transparent, a more equal and positive future emerges. An Ireland that derives inspiration from the proclamation and ensures the freedom and equality that was laid out on easter week 1916.”

Homophobia at its worst.

Be Honest Lads

Has anybody heard of the Westboro Baptist Church or the Phelps family who are its entire congregation?

Let me just say, that the bigots we have here in Ireland are wishy washy liberals compared to the vile, disgusting, sectarian and homophobic attitudes of self proclaimed ‘America’s most hated family’.
The Phelps family, all 71 of them, comprise almost the entirety of the Westboro Baptist Church, a group that gained infamy after continued pickets at the funerals of American soldiers.

Personally speaking, irrespective of whether you agree with the war in Iraq, and I don’t, but picketing and shouting abuse at people when they are burying their dead is depravity at its highest.

But the Phelps family do not protest at the funerals out of some desire to see the war ended, no, the Phelps family protest because they view the deaths of American Soldiers as God’s retribution for American ‘toleration’ of Gay people. But that's not all, the Westboro Baptist Church, openly ‘thank’ God for the dead soldiers, according to ‘Gramps’ the patriarchal head of the house ‘’it is a sign that God is punishing America’’.

Now it seems that Ireland has also caught the eye of the bigots along with Canada, Mexico and Sweden as these nations continue to embrace the idea of equality and of treating all citizens the same. Ireland’s crime according to the Phelps, is doing just that, treating people irrespective of; Faith, Colour, Sex, Sexuality and Age with mutual respect and equality. For that horrendous crime the Phelps family: ‘’Thank God for the Potato Famine’’.

Have you ever heard bigotry like that in your life? Quite similar though to the semitones of the former DUP member George Seawright who called for the ‘’incineration of Catholics’’.

Below are some of the sectarian and homophobic quotes from the godhatesireland web site. An example of the disgusting hatred and bigotry that they espouse and their attempts to masquerade it as religion.

‘’While only about 10% of the population of Ireland are fags or dykes, the other 90% are most assuredly their soul-condemning enablers. ‘’
Quote from Westboro Baptist Church.

‘’The Catholic Monster also endorses idolatry/Mariolatry, the lie that God loves everyone.’’
Quote from Westboro Baptist Church.

‘’Ireland has become a veritable cesspool of corruption. Yielding to the Strasbourg Sodomite Whorehouse masquerading as a court superior to the supreme court of Ireland, enforcing a so-called: First Supranational Law System! It's a fag court!’’
Quote from Westboro Baptist Church.

‘’Ireland is a land of vile, feces-eaters and a**s lickers and those who have pleasure in them - all of whom are abominations to God and headed for Hell. Deal with it!’’
Quote from Westboro Baptist Church.

‘’Ireland is notorious for being huge supporters of the evil monstrosity that is the Catholic "church." You can't get much more demonic than supporting an institution that damns souls to Hell on a daily basis. These churches support adultery by granting annulments to husbands and wives who deal treacherously with each other’’
Quote from Westboro Baptist Church.

Crazy isn’t it? We can laugh at this and view these people as nutters, which they are, but the sad reality, is that people like this exist and it is up to people like us, young, intelligent and modern to make sure that bigotry remains on the very fringes of society.

Discrimination and racism are darkness, however:

‘’The light shine shines in the darkness and the darkness has never put it out.’’
John Ch. 1 V. 5

Athbheochan na Gaeilge – Arís?

le Peadar de Bluit

Níl cur amach agam ar theanga ar bith eile a bhfuil idir bás is beatha fógraithe di an méid céanna uair leis an Ghaeilge. Gach ré bliain bíonn fiosrúcháin éigin ar: cur chun cinn na Gaeilge; conas mar atá ag éirí léi; an bhfuil sí i mbaol an bháis; nó an bhfuil sí ag dul ó neart go neart. In ainneoin an méid a foilsítear i ndiadh na fiosrúcháin seo bíonn an freagra ón rialtas mar an gcéanna i gcónaí – rud ar bith. Is cosúil áfach nach féidir le neamhaird an rialtais bac a cur le fás ár dteanga náisiúnta ar an ábhar go bhfuil na ráflaí arís ann go bhfuil an Ghaeilge ‘sa bhfaisean’, agus go bhfuil sí ‘fionnfhuar’ a bheith á labhairt. An aiséirí úr é seo don Ghaeilge don míliú uair ina saol, nó díreach iarracht sceimhle beocht a thabhairt do theanga atá ag streachailt léi leanúint ar aghaidh?

Thart ar aimsir Seachtain na Gaeilge bhí, mar is ceart a bheith, roinnt mhaith gníomhaíochta i measc na ciorcail Gaeilge. I gColáiste na Tríonóide seoladh staisiún raidió úr trí mheán na Gaeilge dírithe ar dhaoine óga. Chun na fírinne a rá is céim iontach chun tosaigh seo ó thaobh na meáin Gaeilge ar an ábhar gur tugadh le fios don scríbhneoir seo go raibh daoine óga thuas tíre ag iarraidh éisteacht le staisiún raidió trí mheán na Gaeilge ach go raibh ag teipeadh glan le RnaG – i rith an lae ar aon nós. An méid sin ráite bhí iarrachtaí déanta ag a leithéidí Raidió na Life agus Raidió Fáilte, ach amháin go raibh said ag obair ar bhonn teoranta. Beidh le feiceáil conas a éiríonn la Raidió X mar atá cáil air faoi láthair ach is cinnte gur tús maith atá ann, agus mar a deir an seanfhocal sin leath na hoibre.

Chomh maith le sin i rith seachtain na Gaeilge tháinig clár nua Des Bishop chugainn, “In the name of the Fada”. Caithfidh mé a admháil nach bhfuil sé feicithe agam go fóill, agus níl ach corr rud cloiste agam ina thaobh mar sin nílim chun mheas a dhéanamh air anseo. Déarfaidh mé an méid seo áfach is cuimhin liom Bishop a fheiscint ag cóisir Gaelach thuas i Stormont nuair a bhí sé ann agus le bheith cothrom leis tá fuinneamh suntasach aige ó thaobh na Gaeilge. Ní haon rud fuirist atá ann dul agus teanga iomlán úr a fhoghlaim gan trácht ar í a úsáid ar stáitse I lár seó, agus do sin tá moladh tuillte uaidh. Gan dabht tá sé go maith an méid seo gníomhaíocht a fheiscint i measc an saol Gaeilge, ach caithfidh bheith ann níos faide ná díreach aimsir Sheachtain na Gaeilge.

Ní féidir le aoinne a rá nach i bhfabhar na Gaeilge atá an gníomhú seo ar fad gach uair a bhíonn clár Gaeilge ar an ngnáth teilifís nó ar fhógra éigin ar an raidió árdaíonn sé tionchar na Gaeilge, cuireann sé in iúl do dhaoine go bhfuil sí fós gan aon phlean aici imeacht in aon áit. Chomh maith le sin de dheasca na hinfheistíochta ar fad atá ag dul ar aghaidh na laethanta seo tá Earnáil Gaeilge ag teacht chun tosaigh go gasta. Mar sin tá an Ghaeilge go forleathan sna meáin, tá sí ag cruthú postanna, agus is teanga oifigiúl í insan Eoraip anois - ach níl an céim is tábhachtaí tógtha go fóill. Níl sí á labhairt sa chlós, agus má tá is annamh a chloistear a lasmuigh de geataí na scoile í. Ag deireadh an lae is cuma cé mhéid infheistiú nó airgead a cruthaítear trí’n Ghaeilge, mura bhfuil sí á labhairt go sóisialta, sna scoileanna agus i measc an phobal, tá muid ag déanamh dearmad ar an gcuid is tábhachtaí den gcath atá ós ár gcomhair.

Save Public Services - No! 2 Lisbon!

Ógra Shinn Féin joined several thousand people at the weekend in Dublin demanding a public health system, one that delivers on the basis of need and not ability to pay.

Marchers demanded an end to the privatisation of the health service by Mary Harney.

During the march Ógra Shinn Féin dropped a banner on O'Connell Street on the route of the march. The banner stated ‘Save Public Services - No! 2 Lisbon’.



Speaking following the health rally Ógra activist, Aine Downes said,

“We are again calling for the resignation of Mary Harney. Under her leadership the health service has deteriorated extensively. We are currently seeing our public services being stripped from us. Health and the access to adequate health provision is a basic human right. A right that is currently being denied to the millions of people living in Ireland."

"During the march Ógra dropped a banner demanding public services to be saved as well as stating our opposition to the Lisbon treaty. If the Lisbon treaty is accepted in Ireland we will see a further deterioration of the health service and will see further privatisation. That is one of many reasons why we must oppose the Lisbon treaty."

Further steps taken in the expansion of Ógra

Another major step has been taken in the expansion of Ógra Shinn Féin in South Down with the establishment of an Ógra Dáil Ceantair.

Ógra members along with the chairs of senior Sinn Féin Cumainn met on Saturday the 29th of March to discuss the expansion of Ógra throughout the county.


Speaking following the meeting Kilcoo Ógra member Róisin Mc Greevy stated that:

“What has been proposed, an Ógra Dáil Ceantair is an excellent idea as this will assist in the formation of new cumainn, we already have two, but we hope by the summer to have 5 and possible 6 or 7 by the end of the year.’’

She continued:

“No other political party any where on the island of Ireland, can say that they are forming new branches at such a fast rate, whilst other parties are losing members to apathy and old age, we are continuing to grow.’’

Ógra has already two strong and vibrant cumainn in the county, the Pádraig Pearse Cumann in Rostrevor/Warrenpoint and the Kilcoo East Down Cumann. Within the next few months it is hoped that new Ógra Cumann will be formed in Newcastle , Lower Mourne and Ballynahinch. It is also expected that towards the end of the year a further two Ógra cumainn will be established in Loughinisland and Downpatrick, a total of 7.


Lisa Travers of Pádraig Pearse Ógra Cumann stated that:

“It was a very informative meeting and what is exciting is that Ógra in South Down is on the verge of massive expansion, we know it will involve work, but personally I am looking forward to the challenge.’’

She continued,

“We are keen to bring about change, the more and more young people that come and join Ógra, the quicker an Ireland of equality and freedom is brought about.’’

March for a Decent Public Health Service

March

'Enough! It's (passed) time for a decent Public Health Service!



Saturday, 29th March


Assemble at Garden of Remembrance
Parnell Square


3.00 p.m.


Ogra and Sinn Fein activists are to assemble at 44 Parnell Sq. at 2.30pm


Speakers from Trade Unions, Health Professionals, Patients' groups, Health and Hospital campaigns.


Time to raise one loud voice!


(Or two: at 1.00 p.m. on the same day the Tallaght Hospital ActionGroup are marching in Tallaght. Best wishes to both.)

Several Thousand attend Carrickmore Easter Commemoration

Tyrone republicans converged in Carrickmore on Sunday 23rd March to commemorate Irelands patriot dead. Bunting, flags and posters adorned the parade route and all the approach roads.

Throughout the Easter weekend there were twenty five Graveside Commemorations in County Tyrone, culminating in the main County Commemoration in Carrickmore. Many homes in Carrickmore flew the National Flag.

Shortly after 3:30pm a Republican Colour Party emerged onto the main street in Carrickmore, and responding to commands in Irish they led the parade. This was followed by seven young people each carrying a painting of the signatories of the Easter Proclamation of 1916. There were a number of marching bands in attendance, including the Martin Hurson Memorial Flute Band Gortin/Greencastle, The Pomeroy accordion band, The Sons of Eire Flute Band, Rasharkin and Coatbridge Republican Flute Band who travelled from Scotland for the Commemoration.

After the traditional parade through Carrickmore, the crowd of several thousand attended the proceedings at the Tyrone Garden of Remembrance. Brian Cawley of the Tyrone National Graves Association chaired proceedings.

After Mr Cawleys opening remarks the laying of wreaths was the first on the agenda in the Garden of Remembrance. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Tyrone Brigade Óglaigh na hÉireann, The old I.R.A., Sinn Féin, Ógra Shinn Féin and various family wreaths were also laid.

First up to the podium was a member of the colour party who read aloud the Proclamation of Easter 1916. This was followed by a female member of the colour party who read the Tyrone Roll Of Honour and Roll of Remembrance. Stephen McGahan of Ógra Shinn Féin then took to the podium to deliver the youth organisations Easter address.

Pat Doherty M.P. for the area was the Guest speaker.

The ceremony at the Garden Of Remembrance was brought to a close by The Martin Hurson Flute Band who played Amhran na bhFiann.

Speaking on Ogras participation in the Tyrone Easter Commemorations, Stephen McGahan of West Tyrone Ógra Shinn Féin said

“Over the weekend there were a large number of graveside commemorations which involved Ógra members variously. In the main county commemoration in Carrickmore I represented Ógra and read the Ógra Easter Statement and a female member of Ógra laid a wreath. There were also several hundred copies of Glor Na nÓg distributed in Carrickmore before the march commenced.

I’m No Bimbo!

Gemma McKenna
Ogra Shinn Fein

There are many games aimed at young children. Many try to teach them how to read or write, while some just encourage out door activity as well as team work.

This latest online game however missbimbo.com did catch my eye and indeed the attention of many parents. You may ask why?

We’ll answer me this young ladies, what goals do you have for yourself? And to young men, what goals do you think your sister or female friends have?

Should we as females aim to simply improve our appearance and want bigger boobs and a millionaire husband....... these are the exact aims of this online game which has some 2 million members, with some as young as nine.

It states on the site the aim is to become the, “hottest, coolest, most famous bimbo in the whole world", and contestants who compete against each other are told to "stop at nothing", even "meds or plastic surgery", to ensure their dolls win.

Children are given a naked virtual character to look after. They compete against other players to earn "bimbo" dollars so they can dress her in sexy outfits and take her clubbing.

They are given missions, including securing plastic surgery at the game's clinic to give their dolls bigger breasts, and they have to keep her at her target weight with diet pills.

What ever happened to beauty being on the inside?

This is what I was always told it wasn’t until 15 that I learnt of makeup and started to even think about fashion… up until then I played happily in the park with clothes my mum picked out for me.

But now a young girls’ innocence and effectively her childhood is being snatched away from her by having to think of “fake tan and breasts implants”.

Isn’t this a step too far... are we not already a society that always constantly talks of weight, diets, looks, plastic surgery?

You only have to life a girl’s magazine or turn on the T.V to be bombarded by photos of skinny celebs... or ways to lose weight or the latest fashion tips.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

I refuse to stand by and let a young girl be told that she needs to improve her appearance to get ‘bimbo points’ and that her ultimate goal should be a ‘millionaire husbands.’

Do the makers of this game not realize that eating disorders are already high amongst young girls? Do they not know that many young women are already obsessed with how they look and always feel pressurised to ‘look good’?

But yet they are encouraging young children to think about how they look and are saying that better appearance wins points.

So does logic not then indicate that young naive children will believe that in order to be popular in society one must look good and even undertake plastic surgery as promoted in the game to do so?

I acknowledge the fact that I live in a materialistic society and I like anyone feel pressurissed to have the latest fashion like any-one and as young women I do also want to “fit in”.

However, I do know what really matters in a person and that isn’t their bra size or the colour of their lip gloss.

If a girl as young as nine is constantly obsessed with how she looks then what will she be like at 15 or even 20?

This is not just a game but something that will influence and shape the mind sights of out future young women.

So I urge you to protect young girls don’t like them be exposed to this game instead nurture their inner beauty so they can flourish and realize what really matters in life….. and it can’t be purchased on a credit card!

Dublin Ogra Mobilise in Remembrance of Easter 1916

Ógra Shinn Féin Átha Cliath were out in force this weekend to commemorate the men and women of 1916 and those who have fought in every phase of the republican struggle. Distributing Easter Lilies, leaflets, postering and contributing to the commemorations across the city.

There was a full calendar of events with seven commemorations in all including six Ógra speakers. Ógra members were also given the honour of carrying the portraits of the signatories of the Proclamation in the procession of the main commemoration on Easter Sunday.

Members also distributed Easter Lilies and information on the history of the Lily to those in the vicinity of the Free State Commemoration. This was made difficult by the huge Garda presence and the 6ft fencing covered in black canvass which forced people to be searched before they could commemorate Ireland’s patriot dead.

Ógra UCD Farrell/McDonagh member Ciarán Fitzgerald had this to say:

“It is always humbling to remember those who fought and risked so much to bring about an Irish Republic. Ógra will continue to build and strive to become an energising and radical force for change among Irish youth, to do any less would be to turn our backs on the brave men and women who have gone before us.”

East Down Ogra play key role in Easter commemorations

East Down Ogra Shinn Fein played a key role in Easter parades across the county, including Newcastle, Castlewellan and Downpatrick. The Ogra colour party lead the parade in Newcastle and Downpatrick and followed the senior colour party in the Castlewellan march. The colour party consisting of activists from Kilcoo, Newcastle and Ballynahinch proudly marched in commemoration of Irelands patriot dead and sought to show to the public that Irelands youth would continue to play a pivotal role in the struggle for re-unification.

Speaking on behalf of the colour party a spokesperson from Ballynahinch said,

“It is of the up most importance that the Ogra continue to remember our fallen comrades. Through the Easter celebrations we continue to show that the republican cause will not fade and that we will work to build upon the foundations that were set in the 1916 rising. I think that Ogra leading the parades is also reflective of how important youth is to the ongoing struggle, it is our generation that will continue the fight in the future and the onus is on us to ensure a greater interest by young people to get involved.

Among the commemorations in Castlewellan was also the unveiling of a new monument remembering the volunteers of South Down who gave their lives in active service. East Down Ogra Shinn Fein would like to congratulate the South Down Graves association for the good work they have done with the monument and in making sure that the South Down roll of honour is giving a fitting public memorial.

South Down Ogra Remember Ireland's Patriot Dead

More than a thousand Republicans from across South Down gathered in Castlewellan for the main South Down commemoration. Chairing the event MLA Willie Clarke spoke of the courage of all Irish Volunteers. ‘’Republicans remember with pride the sacrifice that all IRA volunteers, of every generation gave, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom’’

The South Down MLA also paid tribute to all involved in the erection of the new memorial and to massive applause from the people assembled, attacked the SDLP Councillors who attempted to have the monument blocked.

“The SDLP once again have attempted to sideline us, and once again we have defeated their attempts.’’

Ógra played a significant role in the commemoration, with members taking part in the Ógra Colour party, Flute Bands and carrying cumann banners. On Behalf of East Down Ógra, Noleen Mc Poland read the 1916 proclamation and representing the Pádraig Pearse Ógra Cumann Brendan McGuinness read the Ógra Statement.

Michael Grey Chairman of the Pádraig Pearse Ógra Shinn Féin Cumann stated that the large attendance was further proof of the growth of Republicanism.

“This commemoration continues to gather momentum as more and more people want to pay homage to the men and women of 1916.’’

He continued:

“The fact that the number of Sinn Féin cumann wreaths has doubled in three short years is testimony to the growth of our movement, it is the Volunteers that we have come here to remember that have brought the struggle this far.’’