Our parents did not raise us for export - Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Sinn Féin Cork (Carrigaline) representative and Óige Phoblachtach activist Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire speaks on the issue of youth unemployment and emigration.

 

 

Republican Youth condemn arrests of Corsican student activists

SINN FÉIN REPUBLICAN YOUTH has condemned the arrest of four members of Corsican nationalist youth organisation Ghjuventú Indipendentista (GI) on Thursday morning following a peaceful protest at a French government building in the town of Corte.

Fifteen members of GI peacefully occupied the lobby of the sub-prefecture building in Corte on Thursday morning to demand that the French government follow through with promises to co-officialise the Corsican language in Corsica, along with other promises regarding tax. The island's native language is spoken by about 50% of the people who live there. Current French president Francois Hollande promised to ratify the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages if he won the Presidential election, however, more than a year on and he has still not fulfilled his promise.

GI activists occupy the sub-prefecture building in Corte

Four GI activists were arrested and detained at Borgu French military camp where they went on hunger and thirst strike before being released the next day. They are now facing a number of charges

SFRY Dublin spokesperson, Mark Moloney, who represented SFRY at GI's annual Scontri Internaziunali youth conference in Corte in 2009 and 2012 said the arrests were “disgraceful”.

“We've heard from those present at the protest that the French police used excessive force in the arrests. Upwards of a dozen officers dragged the activists from the building. During the incident police punched and kicked the activists. Two were injured, one sustained injuries to his jaw and another was wounded in the face, shoulder and hip.

“These activists were making a peaceful protest for the right to speak their own language in official business in their own country. Their peaceful protest was met with completely disproportionate force by the French authorities. It is absolutely unacceptable that student activists who are simply standing up for their cultural rights should be treated in this fashion

“Here in Ireland we face a similar battle. In the Six Counties, Irish language speakers have faced opposition and resistance to their demands for an Irish Language Act which would give them the same basic rights and entitlements as others.

“Whether in Corsica or Ireland, the people of the country who speak their native language should have the same linguistic rights and entitlements as everybody else.”

SFRY with GI & CGC activists at the Scontri Internaziunali in Corte in 2012

Securing the Future – Martin McGuinness (Keynote Address to Comhdháil Náisiúnta Óige Phoblachtach)

It is a great pleasure to be invited here this afternoon to close this year’s An Comhdail
I know the past 12 months have been one of reorganisation and building for the youth wing of the party.

And like everything else we do organisationally this is a vital area of work.
Republicanism all of the time needs to be renewing – renewing our membership, renewing our politics and renewing the way we do our business.

We do not have the luxury of standing still.

You are the first generation of young Republicans sine partition who have grew up without the scourge of war as a backdrop to your politics.

You are the generation of Republican leaders who have developed your politics and your aspirations in a political playing field that was for the first time level. Levelled by the Good Friday Agreement and the principles of equality and respect, which underpin it.

Your identity, your politics and your outlook is rooted in Irish Republicanism but secure enough in its own right to be open to debate and discussion with others from a different viewpoint.
And I commend the event you have put together this weekend. It would be very easy to construct a conference where we simply talk to ourselves. It shows a certain confidence to open this event to other voices and other opinions and sets out a marker to us all about how we need to do politics going forward.

And I also commend those unionist voices who are confident enough in their politics to come here to the Felons club and engage in debate and discussion about the sort of society we want to build on this island in the years ahead.

The past three months have been bad ones for the peace process and for those of us wedded to the creation of a new type of politics and a new type of society.

I have listened very carefully to the various reasons being put forward by those involved in the protests and in the violence. Indeed I have met with some of those involved. None of them can excuse what has been happened on our streets.

I know from experience what it is like to feel discriminated against, to feel powerless and to feel under threat. Nobody should be in that position in 2013. The unique political structures we operate within lend themselves to political opponents being able to exercise power jointly and in a spirit of respect and equality for the benefit of all citizens. There is space for everyone in the process.
It is my firm view that issues of identity and culture have been quite cynically used by some to promote their own narrow sectarian agenda. The result has seen dozens of young Protestants arrested and jailed and the community in the Short Strand put under siege while those who set the path sit happily in their ivory tower denying culpability and blame.

Far better those young people, who clearly care about their community, where in forums like this, discussing the future with their republican peers, than lying in Hydebank or Maghaberry.

There is a better way to do business. We must return to the basics of the Good Friday Agreement. A commitment to non violence, a need for inclusivity, a respect for difference and a commitment to reach agreements.

Difficult issues are not insurmountable issues. But difficult issues will not be resolved on the streets or at the front of City Hall on a Saturday afternoon. Difficult issues are resolved through dialogue, through engagement and ultimately through compromise and agreement.

I will absolutely guarantee the right of any citizen here to their British identity. All I ask in return is for the same respect and recognition to be given to my Irishness. For too long we have approached issues of identity as wins or losses for one community or another. That is not sustainable going forward.

It disappoints me that we have not yet got to the stage where political unionism can give the same absolute guarantee that I have just given about identity going forward. I genuinely want to hear from a Gregory Campbell or Mike Nesbitt about how they see protecting and respecting the Irish identity of their neighbours as we build a shared society and likewise I am sure unionists are interested in how their British identity is given equal respect and protection by political leaders like me.

But building the sort of new Ireland I want to see has to be about much more than issues of identity or symbolism. It must be about real substance – it must be about delivering a future where young people aren’t forced to emigrate and can get access to a first class education system across the island. We have made a welcome move in recent months when we as an Executive have managed to secure EMA for students here at the same time the British government have abolished it in their jurisdiction.
In the course of the past year or so Sinn Féin have sought to engage with a cross section of society in exploring the prospects for constructing a genuine process of reconciliation. This has involved private events and indeed public events like the one here this afternoon.

I have to say the response from political unionism while predictable has been a disappointment. I think the political leadership of unionism is behind where many ordinary unionists are on this issue. I think there is a realisation across society that the sticking plaster approach or even the head in the sand approach to dealing with the past isn’t sustainable going forward.

Such an approach is not only short sighted it is in my opinion selling all of your generation short. It is simply wrong that people like those gathered here, who have developed your politics in an environment of peace see the political process contaminated and distorted by a failure to tackle in a proper way the legacy of our troubled past.

And that provokes challenges for republicans also. Reconciliation is not a one way street. Republicans caused much hurt also. We need to recognise that and deal with it in a proper fashion. Declan Kearney has characterised this as a difficult conversation we as a society need to have. Difficult as it may be not having it stores much more difficulties for us and for you in the future.
I am an optimist. I am confident in you and your generation. I am also confident in the political system we have built. I am also confident that in the future new negotiations will be had. New agreements will be reached. More positive change will be delivered. More relationships will be built.
The sort of society I want to see, at peace with itself, built upon equality and mutual respect has the foundations already laid. That happened 15 years ago in Castle Buildings. Since then despite ups and downs steady sure progress has been made. Now is the time to grasp the potential that is there and raise us to a new level. You as young political activists need to play your role in that. Your voice is important, but even more important is your contribution. You need to step forward and you need to actively build the sort of Ireland you want to see. You need to engage with your peers from whatever political background or none.

Transforming our island is a massive challenge. Rebuilding broken relationships and creating new ones is central to that nation building task. But as Republicans it is our duty to reach out and to build. To stretch ourselves and our politics. You can only do that if we are confident in our own vision and our own belief that a united Ireland offers the best hope for the future and for all of the citizens who live on this island.

Let us secure the new future that is out there. Not doing so is not an option for me, for you or for Ireland.

Sheena Campbell Cumann Remember Former Student

Students of Queen’s University Belfast gathered on Wednesday the 6^th of March in remembrance of former QUB student Mairéad Farrell. Mairéad was a member of the cumann at the time of her murder 25 years ago.

The memorial opened with the showing of a documentary recording the events surrounding the fortnight of tragic occurrences which began on the 6^th of March 1988. This was both informative and emotional for the audience. The documentary (as seen below) detailed the attack, by Michael Stone, on the funeral on March 16^th and the bravery shown by those who attempted to stop him. Tributes were paid to Thomas McErlean, John Murray and Volunteers Kevin McCracken and Caoimhín Mac Brádaigh who died protecting their community.

 

Barry McElduff, who was a student at QUB at the time, addressed the event as did Jennifer McCann, a close friend of both Mairéad Farrell and Dan McCann, Seán Bateson, chair of QUB SF, chaired the event.  

McElduff gave an account of the university cumann’s reaction to the murders in Gibraltar. He recounted the cumann occupying the Chancellor’s Office at Queen’s in an attempt to have the murders marked by the university. Upon the death of a student it was common practice for QUB to lower the flag to half mast; however, they refused to do so for Mairéad, labelling her a ‘terrorist’. McElduff and others, in an act of comradeship, took over the office and lowered the flag to half mast themselves. He also spoke of the tough and tense times at the University in the months that followed.

Jennifer McCann spoke of Dan McCann, Seán Savage and Mairéad Farrell, describing them as ordinary young people, full of life, who happened to live in extraordinary times. She detailed their dedication to the struggle.

Seán Bateson, speaking after the event, stated “We are delighted with the turn out and interest shown in tonight’s proceedings. As a cumann, we felt that it was important to remember all that happened in March 1988 and in particular Mairéad, as a former student. The speakers were very informative and I think everyone left this evening better educated as to what happened 25 years ago this week.”

Republican Youth win Dublin-wide Mock Dáil in UCD

Simon Gillespie speaking during the Mock Dáil debate

SINN FÉIN REPUBLICAN YOUTH scooped first prize at last week’s Dublin-wide Mock Dáil competition held in the Garrett Fitzgerald chamber in UCD. The Sinn Féin team claimed victory over Young Fine Gael, Labour Youth and Ógra Fianna Fáil in a fiercely contested and often heated debate. Speaking after the event, Simon Gillespie said that the victory showed the realistic alternatives to partition and austerity that were being offered by Sinn Féin across the island. 

“In tackling and defeating the establishment rhetoric that the Government parties and Fianna Fáil offered, Sinn Féin has proven yet again that there is a credible and achievable alternative to the status quo,” said Gillespie.

The Sinn Féin Republican Youth front bench comprised of Simon Gillespie, Jonathan Graham, and brothers Eamonn and Mairtín Arbuckle. The debate was chaired by former Deputy Government Press Secretary, John Downing. 

Eamonn Arbuckle is applauded by the Sinn Féin team for his contribution to the debate

A number of Dublin SFRY representatives made-up the Sinn Féin back-bench and were praised for their articulate contributions to the debate.

“The Sinn Féin Republican Youth team were great ambassadors for the party and proved themselves to be talented orators and gifted debaters. Each and every one of them is a credit to Sinn Féin and their performances on the night ensure that the future is bright for our party,” Gillespie added.

There were three motions debated on the night. The Government motion concerned the pending Family Home Tax and faced tough criticism from the Sinn Féin team. From the opposition benches came two motions, the first being a motion relating to the failure of the Nursing Graduate Scheme and the second being a general motion of No Confidence in the Government. 

In striking similarity to the Dáil, the Sinn Féin speakers faced constant heckling and childishness from Government and Fianna Fáil benches but overcame the interruptions to be described by the Judges as ‘by far the most cohesive and comprehensive group.’ The judges, from the Department of Politics and International Relation in UCD, also praised Simon Gillespie as being ‘the most impressive and convincing speaker’ on the night.

“I suppose you could say we swept the board,” said Gillespie. “It was a fantastic opportunity to advance the Sinn Féin vision and challenge those who believe that the actions of this Government and previous Governments are acceptable. The politics of austerity and hardship must end. There are clear choices and alternatives.”

“While we sit and listen to the same nonsense from Government about how Ireland is the ‘best small country’ in which to do business, grow old with dignity and respect, and in which to raise a family, the reality is we have shop owners who can’t access credit, old age pensioners who can’t afford to heat their homes and families in mortgage distress who can’t afford to put food on the table. The effects of austerity, unemployment and emigration have taken their toll on towns and communities across the island and the Sinn Féin Republican Youth message to the youth wings of the establishment parties was simple: Ireland has had enough!” he concluded. 

“Never has this country needed an alternative approach more than it needs it now. Sinn Féin is that alternative and I’m proud to be part of that.”

Jonathan Graham of SFRY speaking

Republican Youth Runs Laps for Charity

Members of Sinn Fein Republican Youth Cork are normally seen to be pounding the pavements with leaflets in their hands. However, this was not the case at the weekend. Alongside members of the Martin Hurson Cumann UCC, RY were out in force, with public representatives, to help raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.

A 24-hour relay race was hosted by the charity in the Mardyke Arena, UCC. It took place between Friday at 6pm right through ‘til Saturday afternoon. Societies from the college were asked to take part in the event. Sinn Fein was the only political party on campus to have entered a team.

The event was challenging but great fun all the same. Each team had to have a member on the track at all times. Republican Youth made sure at least two people were doing it to keep each other company. Members walked, ran, skipped and jogged laps of the track.

Throughout the course of the night, various games were played to keep things lively. Different laps were introduced including the “Congo Lap” and the “Piggy Back Lap”. Although they would rather be in bed, Republican Youth took part in the games.

During the night, paper bags with candles in them were lit. The bags had messages on them to survivors of people that had died from cancer. These bags lined the side of the track.

Despite the freezing cold winds and the long hours, Republican Youth kept going. Every member knew someone with cancer or who had it and was determined to raise money for the deserving charity. Although the fundraising is still ongoing, we have raised over 200 euro so far.

 

 

 

Clár na Comhdhála Náisiúnta!

With less than a week to go until the National Youth Congress Óige Phoblachtach has released the finalised clár! Hundreds of young people are set to participate in the weekend of activities. The discussions will range from the Irish language to the struggle internationally. Martin McGuinness will be closing the Comhdháil with his keynote address.


For further details contact Eoin McShane on eoinmcshane@yah­oo.ie. Bígí linn!

 

 

 

Theme – Uniting Ireland – Strategies and Visions

Aoine 1ú Márta

5pm: Arrival and Registration

 

5.30pm: Dinner

 

6pm: Seisiún 1: Promoting the Irish Language and Celebrating Cultural Diversity

 

9.30pm: Social Event with 'Spirit of Freedom'

 

Satharn 2ra Márta

10am: Seisiún 2: Reports and Motions (and election of incoming Youth Committee)

 

1pm: Lunch

 

1.30pm: Session 3: New Republics: For Catalonia and Ireland

 

2.30pm: Session 4: Equality, Parity of Esteem and Developing a Reconciliation Process

 

4pm: Closing keynote address by Martin McGuinness

 

Onwards and Upwards for SFRY Louth

Louth Sinn Féin Republican Youth has only been re-established in the past year. So it has been an upward struggle to get motivated and get active again. We have been involved with senior cumann in Louth and have been well represented at protests against budget cuts and child benefit. One of our protests made national news, with our very own Cathaoirleach Conall McGuill, Leas-Cathaoirleach Conor O’Neill and Cllr. Tomas Sharkey doing a rather convincing impression of Enda Kenny, Eamonn Gilmore and greedy bankers!

We have just had a meeting with our local TD, Gerry Adams, to form a clear plan for the upcoming months. A weekend has been organised to coincide with the Bodenstown commemoration and will be held in Omeath, Co. Louth – the first time the little village has been given such an opportunity to host so many young republicans. We are flat out planning and organising the weekend to ensure Louth Sinn Féin is well represented and a good time is had by all. We have a historical tour of the former gaeltacht area, and of Dundalk Gaol arranged as well as many other workshops and events. On Friday night, local musicians from Omeath will be having a traditional music session so we are hoping that anyone who can play will bring along an instrument and join in! We have another musician coming on Saturday night, and already there is a buzz in the area.

 

Following the planning meeting with Gerry Adams TD and Cllr. Edel Corrigan, we have also decided on a campaign to focus on for the next year – Suicide awareness and prevention. All our cumann members will be undertaking PIPS Suicide Prevention training and we aim to produce a simple leaflet with warning signs to look out for in family and friends, along with contact details of organisations that can help. A practical and very real way SFRY Louth can benefit the lives of young people and their communities. Suicide is an issue that is entirely preventable and yet is evident in every county in Ireland, north and south. This issue needs to be tackled and those who are having feelings of distress or despair need to be given the opportunity to reach out for support. The suicide taboo needs addressed sooner rather than later.

Gerry Adams, said at the meeting, “The suicide awareness campaign is a practical way to reach out to young people. It is an issue that is highly relevant in Louth, considering the number of deaths by suicide far outnumber the national average. Tá mé ag súil go mór le bheidh ag obair leis na daoine óga seo i contae Lú”.

Our members were equally pleased with the direction the cumann is going in. Conor Cusack, from Drogheda, said “I’m really looking forward to the coming months, I have only recently joined SF and am glad to be able to be involved in such an important campaign. I think everyone has been affected by suicide directly or indirectly so it is essential that people are made aware of any support that is available to them.”

From the meeting we have also decided to put forward one of our members to the National Youth Committee. SFRY Louth are very excited to nominate Conor O’Neill and know he will work extremely hard for Louth and Sinn Féin Republican Youth as a whole.

Gerry Adams tweeted following the meeting, “Met young people in Louth. Very impressed. Discussed suicide & youth unemployment. Mól an óige ‘s tiocfaidh sí!”.

SFRY Louth look forward to seeing you all in Omeath Friday 21^st- Sunday 23^rd of June!

If you are interested in getting in contact you can find us under Sfry Louth on Facebook.

 

Comhdháil Náisiúnta Óige Phoblactach 2013 – Bígí linn!

Óige Phoblachtach is set to hold its biggest event of the year; the National Congress, in Belfast from the 1^st – 2^nd of March. Over one hundred young republicans from across the country will converge on Belfast to partake in the weekend’s activities.

Motions will be debated and voted upon, giving all members the opportunity to have their say in Óige Phoblactach’s policies. 'Topics up for discussion will include the economy, social and cultural issues, youth affairs and much more besides. As well as debates there will be talks, international guests and a keynote address. A new National Youth Committee will also be elected from the floor. A night of craic will be provided by The Spirit of Freedom on the Friday night of the Comhdháil.

The deadline for booking forms and monies is next Tuesday the 19^th of February at 5pm. For booking forms or more information please contact Eoin McShane, at eoinmcshane@yah­oo.ie, or Martin O’Reilly, at oreillysf@gmail.com. Táille is only £25/ €30 which covers registration, 1 night accommodation, all meals, entrance into all events including the social night with 'The Spirit of Freedom'. Bígí Linn!

Queen's University Refreshers' Fair

Sinn Féin activists at the Refreshers' Fair

Queen's University Belfast's Sheena Campbell cumann  has started the new semester with a flurry of activity. After a successful initial meeting the cumann attracted many new members at their Refreshers’ Fair stall.

The Sheena Campbell Cumann’s chairperson Seán Bateson said: ‘We are delighted with the enthusiastic response we received and are very much looking forward to the new semester. We are hoping to host several talks and events over the next few months as well as a fundraiser. Our focus will be on International Women’s Day, LGBT rights as well as the Border Poll campaign. Our members will also be travelling to Mid-Ulster to give a hand to Francie Molloy in the by-election campaign.’

If anyone is interested in getting involved with the Queen’s University Cumann please contact them under ‘Queens Sinn Féin’ on Facebook. 

Bígí linn agus cabhraigh linn Poblacht nua a chruthú. 

Republican manifesto delivered at Abbey production

Seán Ó Sé, of Dublin Republican Youth, took part in ‘The Young Coveys’ talk which was an educational programme run in conjunction with Abbey Theatre’s production of The Plough and the Stars. Along with representatives from Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour, Seán delivered a manifesto for a new Ireland. Here is the content of Seán’s speech:

The new Irish Republic shall be a republic for the people of Ireland and controlled by the people of Ireland. The Republic shall be blind to the artificial divisions that have kept her from blossoming from colony to nation. This will be a republic that places no heed on divisions fostered, both foreign and domestically, which seek to prevent the republic from achieving her potential. The Irish Republic shall encompass all of its land and its entire people. All the people of Ireland shall bear the name of citizen, and none shall be excluded. The will of its citizens shall be the only power over the republic and it shall recognise no other.

The citizens of the new republic shall be the sole heir of her possessions. All of her wealth and all her means of wealth production shall be subject to the will of her people. The resources of the republic can only be for the benefit of the people. The land will produce food, the wind will produce energy, the sea will produce fish, and minerals will be extracted from the deepest crevices, all for benefit of the republic’s citizens. The new republic will recognise the wealth of natural resources that the nation has to offer and will utilise them to the best of its ability. Control over these natural resources will be reclaimed by the republic for the benefit of the people, not for the wealth of private individuals or multinational corporations. The republic will develop the nations agriculture and understand the importance of creating an environment that is conducive the wellbeing of all its citizens, while producing food that will enjoyed the world over. A new republic will take control of the vasts seas that surround our island and realise the potential that it has to create sustainable communities in areas that have for so long been neglected.

It will be the duty of the republic to provide for all of its citizens as subject to their needs. The new republic must ensure that there no one without home or without comfort. The republic will ensure that all its citizens are adequately cared for. The republic must demand that there will be none so rich that they can buy the life of another, and none so poor that they must offer it up. Each citizen shall inherit the wealth of the nation to ensure that none must toil and sweat to attain a happy existence. No longer will the people of Ireland be slaves to foreign powers or foreign markets, and the people themselves shall shake off the yoke of their oppression.

The new republic will strive to provide for all its citizens. The people of Ireland have the right to work in Ireland and raise their children in the republic. The republic will fight to rid the scourge of emigration from Ireland and finally end the lines of young men and women forced to leave to seek a future abroad.

The republic will ensure that there is a fair system of taxation that is for the benefit of the weakest in society. The wealth of Ireland will be spread so that no citizen is left behind. No one person will be allowed to use the resources of the republic without contributing to the betterment of all the citizens. A third level of tax shall be introduced to ensure that the weakest and those in the middle do not have the carry the burden of financing the state. A new republic will demand that all citizens pay their fair share of taxes, and the republic will not allow the elite to hide from carrying out their responsibilities to the nation by avoiding to pay their fair share.

The republic will ensure the health and wellbeing of all its people shall be maintained and nurtured. Each citizen shall enjoy the right to healthcare without prejudice of class, gender or geography. The republic must strive to create an Ireland where the wellbeing of the people is cared for from the cradle to the grave.

Every citizen shall have access to an education that is befitting of a true republic. The republic will smash the bonds of ignorance that prevent the nation and its people from blossoming. All will have access to education and none will be prevented from achieving their potential.

It will be the duty of the republic to ensure that no child be prisoner of church or state. No longer shall the children of the republic know the inside of the walls of the institutions that have scarred Ireland for so long.

No longer shall the women of Ireland be the victims of the failings of the state or horrors of religious conduct. The republic can only reach its full potential if it ensures that women impact upon its destiny.

The republic will be blind to class, gender, race, sexuality, religion and age. Each citizen shall enjoy the same rights to pursue a happy existence. The republic will not prejudice against any marriage, family or home. All will be equal under the eyes of the republic and all cultures and traditions of the republic and of its citizens will be respected and celebrated. No citizen will fear discrimination or persecution from either state or private body.

Justice shall be a cornerstone of a new republic. All will be equal under the eyes of the law and no longer will money or influence be used to upset the course of justice. The courts of a new republic can only function if they have the confidence of all the citizens and the republic shall ensure that fairness and balance is upheld with the legal system. The Special Criminal Courts will be done away with, as the republic will realise the importance of a jury in the pursuit of justice. There will be no more internment imposed on the citizens of the republic, so long used as a weapon to silence dissenting voices. It will be imperative that the people will have faith in those who enforce the law. It will be the duty of the republic to guarantee that those who wear the uniform of the state do not sully it with cowardice or corruption. Those who enforce the law are themselves not above the law and a republic can only function if there is confidence in this system.

The republic will recognise the importance of community in Ireland. The bonds that will hold the nation together as a community shall be the friendship amongst neighbours and friends. The republic will work to see that Ireland will be a nation of collective action rather than private opportunisms.

The republic will recongnise the importance of empowering local communities to make decisions over their own lives. Strong local government will be a cornerstone in the foundation of a new republic. This activity must begin with the grassroots. The republic will create space for the local communities to act together to make decisions regarding their future. This must start with community councils and local organisations. Building on the strength that already exists in communities across the island of Ireland, the republic will facilitate these communities to practice self governance. County and city councils will also play a vital role in creating a republic of direct democracy. Power will no longer be controlled by a few elites but will come from the bottom up. Every citizen will participate in deciding over the destiny of the republic and this must start with giving power back to the people.

The new republic will recognise the importance of Ireland’s place internationally. With the knowledge of the strife that the people of Ireland have witnessed through its generations, we will strike a pact of solidarity with nations throughout the world. The republic will be the bearers of hope and freedom on the international stage while wilfully respecting the wishes of people of other nations. The Irish republic will voice its opposition to oppression wherever in the world it occurs and whoever the perpetrator. The republic will be a voice of independence for all other nations to see. The republic shall assert its independence in the international bodies where it represents itself. Whether within the United Nations or the European Union, Ireland shall make its decisions based upon the best interests of the citizens, and shall not be bullied or coerced into conditions that neglect the will of the people. Similarly, the republic shall support the cause of freedom and justice without fear or favour.

The republic shall encourage and foster the cultures, languages and arts of it citizens. Recognising the rich heritage of the culture in Ireland, the republic will foster that heritage and give life to new expressions of identity. A new republic will be welcoming to all races from throughout the world. It will recognise the important role that these new cultures have on the future of the republic. The republic will recognise the arts and the importance of its role in the development of the nation. The Irish language will play an important role in developing the republic, not a language of the state, but as a language of the people.

A new republic shall be a true republic of liberty, equality and fraternity, where all citizens will enjoy a free, happy and equal existence.

  

Republican Youth confronts British Secretary of State over prisoners

Members of Sinn Féin and SF Republican Youth confronted British Secretary of State Owen Paterson as he left the Institute of International and European Affairs. Protesters called for the release of Marian Price and Martin Corey, both of whom have been imprisoned without trial on the word of Paterson.

Armagh SFRY campaign on youth unemployment and emigration

Members of Sinn Féin Republican Youth (SFRY) in Armagh recently held a leaflet drop in Armagh City to highlight the lack of opportunity for young people in the area. Their activism is part of Sinn Féin Republican Youth’s new national campaign entitled "No Jobs, No Future, No Way!"

Members of Armagh SFRY

Urging young republicans to make their voices heard and to join in with the campaign chair of SFRY in Armagh, Blaine McCartney, said: “Armagh, like other places across Ireland, has been badly affected by rising youth unemployment and also by high levels of emigration of young people to countries such as Australia and Canada.

“The next few weeks will see many people graduating from Irish Universities and it is a sad prospect that many of these highly skilled and educated young people will have no option but to go abroad to look for work.

“Armagh has suffered economically recently with the closure of HCL Technologies Call Centre which employed hundreds of people from across Armagh city and district. This major blow, coupled with the closure of three retail shops within recent weeks has led me to call on all young people to get involved with this campaign to help beat rising youth unemployed and emigration and have your voice heard!”

SFRY across the country and in Armagh want to raise the profile of youth issues such as emigration and to create new job opportunities and to put an end to the possibility of losing a generation of talented young people.

For more information on Sinn Féin Republican Youth or the “No Jobs, No Future, No Way Campaign go to www.republicanyouth.ie or contact Armagh Sinn Féin on 028 37511797

East and South Tyrone launch National Youth Campaign - "No Jobs, No Future, NO WAY!"

East and South Tyrone members of Sinn Féin Óige Phoblachtach launched the National Campaign “No Jobs, No Future, NO WAY!” recently. The youth wing of Sinn Féin have been campaigning and raising awareness of the very important issue of youth unemployment and emigration and launched their campaign in Stormont last week. This campaign will continue to be rolled out amongst the 32 counties in the following weeks and will involve online engagement, public surveys, leaflet handouts and lobbying of local councillors and MLA’s.

Members of Sinn Féin Óige Phoblachtach with Michelle O'Neill MLA, Bronwyn McGahan MLA, and local councillors Mickey Gillespie and Pádraig Quinn.

Sinn Féin National Youth Committee member, Álanna Campbell said, “Youth unemployment is a major concern at the moment and it can affect any person, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender and so on. It is widespread throughout our 32 counties and we have to do something about it. Sinn Féin Óige Phoblachtach recognises this as a problem which is especially relevant to young people and we feel that it is important to not only raise awareness of this issue, but to actively campaign for changes and to make a difference. In East and South Tyrone, Sinn Féin Óige Phoblachtach will be working alongside our local public representatives in order to make that difference. Launching the campaign is not the end of our work, Sinn Féin and Sinn Féin Óige Phoblachtach will be tirelessly working to achieve job creation and changes in policy which will help this. Sinn Féin is a party for the people, and now, the people need jobs, so this is exactly what we will strive to achive! A whole generation should not have to suffer and youth issues and job creation should be at the forefront of the clár in both the Dáil and Stormont.”

Remembering Joe McDonnell

This coming Sunday (July 8th) will mark the 31st anniversary of IRA volunteer Joe McDonnell. A series of commemorative events have been organised by the Lenadoon Commemoration Committee to take place this weekend.

Urging young republicans to attend, chair of the Máiread Farrell youth committee Eoin McShane Said;

“The story of Joe McDonnell is one of a highly-politicised republican revolutionary soldier who valued his commitment to oppose the occupying armed forces of Britain more than his own life. On May 9th 1981 Joe became the fourth IRA volunteer to join the hunger-strike for political status – replacing his close friend and comrade Bobby Sands. Like myself Joe was born and reared in the Falls Road area of West Belfast before moving to Andersonstown with his wife Goretti where they lived in a house in the lower Lenadoon area.

As an active republican prior to his arrest in October 1976, Joe was a very popular & respected man who was considered to be a deep-thinking individual with a gentle, happy go-lucky personality. He was regarded as a highly capable Volunteer who did what he had to and never talked about it afterwards.

His sheer determination and commitment to the struggle never altered. This was best demonstrated when he was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, along with 3 other IRA volunteers, for possession of a single revolver. He joined the blanket protest without question and refused to be criminalised by the prison authorities, seeing his family only after he commenced his hunger strike.

In June 1981, Joe narrowly missed out on election to the Free State government for the Sligo/Leitrim consitiuency, being only 315 votes short of the quota. Despite the disappointment, the impact of the election both inside and outside the H-Blocks was huge.

In the early hours of July 8th 1981, Óglach Joe McDonnell, after 61 agonising days without food, died rather than be criminalised by the british establishment.

31 years on and in the same streets of Belfast where Joe grew up republicanism is as strong as ever. Like myself, hundreds of other young republican activists across Ireland, draw a great deal of inspiration and motivation from great republican revolutionaries like Joe McDonnell”.

Lenadoon Commemoration Committee – Joe McDonnell Weekend of Events

Football & Hurling Juvenile Tournament, Saturday 7th July, 11am – 2pm, Lamb Dhearg GAA Club

8-a-Side Soccer Tournament, 2pm – 5pm, Lenadoon Pitches

Wreath lying ceremony, 7pm @ Roddys. Main Speaker – Raymond McCartney MLA. Followed by a function featuring ‘Killashandra’

White line picket, 1pm @ Connolly House

The Mairéad Farrell Youth Committee would encourage all young republicans to support these events.

Republican Youth calls for immediate release of Marian Price

Members of Republican Youth with Dublin Sinn Féin councillors Anthony Connaghan and Larry O'Toole

Members of Dublin Republican Youth along with Sinn Féin and elected councillors held a picket outside Dublin City Hall earlier today. The picket called on Dublin City Council to support a motion calling for the immediate and unconditional release of seriously ill prisoner Marian Price.

Speaking outside City Hall earlier, Dublin Republican Youth activist Mick Farrell said:

“The continued imprisonment of Marian price is a disgrace. The charges brought against her in May 2011 when she was arrested have been dismissed. She poses no danger to anybody and is in serious ill health.

“It's time Justice Minister David Ford and British Secretary of State Owen Patterson began moves to have her released immediately and unconditionally.”

Marian Price was arrested in May 2011 but all charges were dismissed. She has been granted bail on subsequent charges but British Secretary of State Owen Patterson revoked her license and because of this she remains imprisoned. On 22 May, following pressure from Sinn Féin, she was moved from Hydebank Prison to a Belfast hospital due to deteriorating health.

Members of Dublin Republican Youth at the picket outside City Hall this afternoon

"No Jobs, No Future. No Way!"

  

MLA’s have given a warm welcome to the launch of Sinn Féin Republican Youth’s "No Jobs, No Future, No Way!" campaign. The campaign was launched today at Stormont and will be rolled out over the 32 Counties in the coming weeks. 

Newly appointed MLA for South Armagh, Megan Fearon, who is also the youngest MLA in the assembly said:

"I applaud Republican Youth for launching this campaign. This is an incredibly difficult time to be young in Ireland. It is the touchstone issue for young people, and it’s unfortunately nearly a daily occurrence to hear of someone either losing a job, or heading abroad to look for a job. 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. As a young person who has seen many of my friends forced to leave their families, their friends and their home country in search of work, I know all too well what a lack of action on youth unemployment can do. Without a serious youth jobs plan we are in danger of losing a generation of talented young people to emigration. We need to make youth unemployment a priority and we need to beat emigration. Sinn Féin has the proposals and the political will to make this a reality.

Members of SFRY outside Stormont with Sinn Féin MLAs

"The campaign will involve on the street demonstrations, online engagement and campaigning and solid concrete proposals from Sinn Fein for a change in policy to address 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."

See also: New youth campaign against unemployment and emigration - An Phoblacht

'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.