Videos of 'Death of Education' and 'Financial Fools Day' Actions - Watch and PASS ON!

ÓSF highlight Death of Education if Student Fees Introduced

In protest at the imminent introduction of fees by Batt O’Keeffe, Ógra Shinn Féin activists carried a coffin through the streets of Dublin today highlighting that student fees will signify the death of education.

The coffin which had education and economy RIP emblazoned across it was carried through the busy O’Connell and Grafton Street, finishing up at the gates of Leinster house, with many people commenting on the eye catching sight, and many applauding the activists.

Ógra Shinn Féin activists leafleted along the route explaining the action and our opposition to student fees.

On arrival at Leinster House, Martin Ferris TD spoke of the importance of Education, before some street theatre enacted the death of education, with Oisin Dolan reading a eulogy, and Batt O’Keeffe with shovel in hand, intent on burying the coffin.



Barry McColgan, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin said,

“At a time when this state needs new ideas and fresh thinking in order to get us effectively out of this economic crisis, they are targeting its biggest asset, an educated workforce and a knowledge economy. The introduction of student fees will be a death knell to academic excellence and education, and will be a further blow to an already weakened economy. ”

“Our protest today should strike a chord with anyone who understands the true long term value of a good education. Through our ‘Educate to be Free’ campaign and national student marches, we will continue to organise imaginatively in opposition to this onslaught on education and fight this attack on our collective futures. Education is a right, not a privilege.”

Taoiseach makes guest appearance for Financial Fools Day

Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan where out on the streets of Dublin today (Wednesday 1 April) reassuring citizens that the ‘economy was fixed’, before bringing them back down to earth with a big ‘financial fools day!’ message.

The Taoiseach and Finance Minister dawned dunce hats, and handed out leaflets, showing that they haven’t a clue how to run a country, never mind sort out the current economic downturn.

The street theatre was carried out by Ógra Shinn Féin on O’Connell Street, Dublin, with the republican youth movement using April Fools day to highlight the ‘incompetence’ of the Dublin government in dealing with the current economic crisis.


Dublin Ógra activist, Mick Farrell said,

“The public reaction in Dublin today was extremely positive, people are genuinely angry at the Dublin government’s incompetence in dealing with the current economic downturn and retrograde budget cuts. People are looking for an alternative, for answers on how we can get out of the current economic crisis, and they realize that after numerous failed attempts at trying to sort it out, Cowen, Lenihan, and co are the ‘financial fools’ we highlighted today.”

“We sent out a message in Dublin that the corruption, incompetence, and inequality that has typified the 26 County economy can be challenged and reversed. The electorate can use the local and European elections to demonstrate their anger at budget cuts and mismanagement of the economy, and make this the last financial fools day!”

Financial Fools Day!

“We’ve fixed the economy!”, now those are words we all want to hear, but the current Dublin government’s constant incompetence, lack of foresight and in many cases blatant exploitative practice of a contrived ideology has ensured that the economic crisis continues to get worse.

Neo Liberalism, crazy speculation, bank bail outs and golden handshakes have put us in the mess we are in today, and a serious change in government direction and economic outlook is needed.

The boom years of the Celtic Tiger should have ensured a world class health system, education system, public transport and infrastructure to be proud of, and ensuring that citizens where protected in the certainty of a slump, or downturn in the economy.

We now realise that the massive profit, or credit gained during the Celtic Tiger has went to a few, that public services have been undermined, facing severe budget cuts and you, the taxpayer, is getting punished through these retrograde measures and privatisation.

The current mess that the economy finds itself in demonstrates the crazy speculate and partitionist manner in which Fianna Fáil, and the PD’s mishandled the economy over the past decade, and it also reinforces the need for the Irish people to affect change, and be part of a genuine all Ireland movement for change, which takes its inspiration from the Easter 1916 Proclamation.

Its time to break the golden circle and make this the last financial fools day.

Sammy Wilson outed as Green Peace member

Gerry Junior

A second DUP MLA has been ‘outed’ in controversy, only this time it’s as a closet environmentalist.

In a shocking twist in the last few hours, the DUP’s MLA and Assembly Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has been outed as a long running member of Green Peace.

The shock revelation will shock and dumbfound many critics who have lambasted the Environment Minister for his claims that global warming was unconnected to pollution or carbon emissions.

A leading environmentalist and local Green Peace member, Treeasa Hugerson said,

“This is certainly a bizarre twist, I wonder who has been fooled, Sammy, Green Peace or the DUP? I’m sure we will find out at some point this April.”

A friend and fellow naturist close to Sammy, suggested that perhaps he was using outlandish ‘world is flat’ type claims in his environmental portfolio in order to discredit his parties archaic outlook, and to make the environmentalists message appear more rationale compared to his ‘madness’.

Many commentators are anxious to hear responses from Sinn Féin’s Gerry Adams, considering his parties long standing opposition to the DUP Environmental policy and Mr Adams personal tree hugging past time.

Hours after this breaking news, and leaked ‘recycled’ files from Green Peace HQ, Mr Wilson has been unable to be contacted.

A DUP source, Noel Surrender, has hinted that Sammy has taken a holiday in France this April, and taking the electorate for Fools, so we are unlikely to hear from him.

'Educate to be Free' Pamphlet - Print Out and Distribute!

A chairde,

The following is the new 'Educate to be Free' pamphlet. (Click to enlarge and print)

It should be used by cumann and activists in the time ahead to promote the campaign and our politics.

The pamphlet has been already distributed to thousands of young people, at schools, colleges and communities, who we are attempting to empower and get involved in the campaign.

For any area who are unable to access adequate print facilities, you can order copies of the pamphlet by contacting osfnational@yahoo.ie.

UTV and BBC lobbied in Equality for Easter Lily Campaign

Ógra Shinn Féin activists have called for equality for the Easter Lily at broadcast organisations UTV and the BBC in the city.

Speaking following handing in letters addressed to both broadcasters, Aoife Mc Naught Chair of Ógra Shinn Féin Na Fianna Martyrs Cumman Doire said,

“Today we held protests outside the UTV and BBC offices in Derry calling on them to give the same equality to the Easter Lily as is given to the Poppy in November. We are calling on both media outlets to allow their employees to wear the Easter Lily which is currently banned within the workplace.”

“We will be taking to the Streets of Derry in the weeks up to Easter to promote the wearing of the Lily and we are also asking people to take time to sign our petition calling for equality for the Easter Lily within the workplace and at schools."

“We will then be handing the petition over to Martina Anderson who will be taking the campaign to Stormont in a bid to change the legislation.”

West Tyrone launches Easter Lily

The local launch of the Easter Lily took place in Omagh District Council Offices today, Tuesday 31 March.

The event was hosted by Omagh District Council Chairperson Martin McColgan in the chamber, and Winnie Harte, mother of Volunteers Gerard and Martin Harte, was the guest of honour to officially launch the Easter Lily.

Following a short presentation by the Council Chairperson, Ógra Shinn Féin members Barry McNally and Stephen McGahan read the 1916 Proclamation and ‘Easter 1916’ by WB Yeats, respectively, and Councillor Sharon O’Brien read the Tyrone Brigade Roll of Honour.

Following this, Winnie Harte and Martin McColgan launched the Easter Lily encouraging everyone to, “remember Ireland’s patriot dead by wearing an Easter Lily and attending their local and county wide Easter commemorations.”


Encouraging people to wear the Easter Lily, West Tyrone Ógra activist Kerry McColgan said,

“Ógra Shinn Féin will be active throughout West Tyrone in the next 2 weeks promoting the Easter Lily, encouraging a new generation of Irish youth to honour Ireland’s patriot dead by wearing an Easter Lily.”

“The Easter Lily was fittingly launched by Winnie Harte, a women who has endured so much hurt, losing 2 sons in Ireland’s freedom struggle, yet continues to actively promote Republicanism and inspire a new generation of activists to continue working for what her son’s Gerard, Martin alongside their comrade Brian Mullin, bravely died fighting for.”

Ógra Shinn Féin open petition in push for Equality for Easter Lily

Ógra Shinn Féin where active on the busy streets of Derry last Saturday 28th March gathering signatures for a petition demanding equality for the Easter Lily.

The republican youth movement engaged with shoppers, young and old on the thronged streets of the city centre, encouraging hundreds of people to add their support to the campaign.

Aoife McNaught, chairperson of Na Fianna Martyrs, Ógra Shinn Féin Doire, said,

“The Easter Lily is proudly worn by Irish Republican’s each year at Easter in remembrance of Ireland’s patriot dead. It is important that, as we build a shared, inclusive society that Republican dead, and our remembrance of them, is afforded the equality and respect it deserves.”

“We hope that our campaign to promote the Easter Lily, and achieve equality for it encourages more young Irish people to wear it proudly in their schools, workplace and community.”

“At Easter it is right that we remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to achieve a free and egalitarian Ireland as outlined in the 1916 proclamation. Easter is a time for Irish Republicans to honour their sacrifice and re-commit ourselves to completing their unfinished task.”

“Republican Leadership is a match for anyone”

By lifelong republican Mickey Collins

There should not be a British Army barracks in Antrim, no more than there should be one in Ardee or Athlone. The question for Irish Republicans is how do we get rid of them?
Most times in our history when Irish people exercised their legitimate right to engage in armed struggle against the British, it ended in glorious defeat. Only twice did Republicans get an honourable draw.

The first time, in the period 1916—21, when, to paraphrase Connolly, constitutional measures were used in ordinary times (by-elections and the 1918 British general election) and revolutionary measures were used in extraordinary times (the Easter Rising and the Tan War), our leadership was ideologically weak and divided. Collins and the dual monarchist Griffith were no match for Lloyd George and his negotiating team. This led to the disaster of partition and two deeply conservative states, one ruled by a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people.

The second time was in the recent conflict, when republicans again espoused the spirit of Connolly the British did their damndest to crush Republicanism but the IRA dragged them kicking and screaming to the negotiating table. This time the Republican leadership is a match for anyone.

Let’s examine what Republicans have achieved so far. One party Unionist rule, the Orange State, is gone and, despite the wishful thinking of Jim Allister and Mark Durkan, it ain’t coming back. The RUC, too, has gone. In its place we have a far from perfect PSNI. It would be churlish indeed not to acknowledge the sea change in policing in the Six Counties. 75% + of PSNI officers were never in the RUC and carry no emotional baggage for the old, sectarian force. When the time comes, they will merge seamlessly into an All- Ireland police service.

True, the British are still here and our country is still divided, but reunification is a work in progress.

Anyone who is genuinely interested in winning the Irish Freedom Struggle should stand shoulder to shoulder with Sinn Féin, who are working day in day out, north and south to achieve that goal. The way forward in 2009 is to build political—including electoral—strength, to make strategic alliances and to reach out to all our people, most particularly that section of our Nation that describes itself as Unionist.

We have been less than brilliant in the past at explaining that when we say “Brits Out”, we don’t mean them. Here in Newry and elsewhere, many ordinary, decent people from a Unionist background use our excellent constituency service and are made very welcome in our offices.

That is Outreach.

Anyone who is concerned about the direction the Republican Movement is going, whether they are former activists who have drifted away and do not have their finger on the pulse or people who may feel inclined to sympathise with the micro groups should come and talk to us, in a friendly and comradely way.

Finally, I would appeal to young people in particular who may be attracted by militarism for its own sake. They should remember that the real militants and hard liners are those who are working for Freedom, Peace and Justice and have a strategy for achieving it.

They are to be found in Sinn Féin and nowhere else.

6TH ANNUAL IRISH BASQUE NIGHT

6TH ANNUAL IRISH BASQUE NIGHT

GOOD FRIDAY 10TH APRIL

Featuring:

ERIK NOON & THE FUTURE GYPSIES
http://www.myspace.com/eriknoon

THE RED RASTA SOUND SYSTEM

with speakers, videos, raffles, merchandising, books...

DOORS OPEN 8PM
£5 BEFORE 10PM / £7 AFTER 10 PM
LIMITED TICKETS

Organised by: BELFAST BASQUE SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE

No Cutbacks, No Fees, No Fianna Fáil TDs!

Seamus Donnelly
College Co-ordinator
Ógra Shinn Féin

With Batt O’Keefe on the verge of announcing his proposals for the re-introduction of third level fees in whatever guise he chooses in the next couple of weeks, it is incumbent upon all those who oppose fees to step up their efforts over the coming weeks to oppose the proposals that are imminent. I will in this post try and exam a number of issues.

An honest appraisal of the campaign so far, the unspoken truth about the re-introduction of fees and the options available to us in the campaign against fees.

To date the campaign against the re-introduction of student fees has failed.Having set out with the objective of stopping fees in any form, the introduction of legislation in the next week or two, to allow for fees to be brought back in means the campaign to this point has failed.

Yes there have been some highlights. The stunning scenes when a generation of students characterised for their apathy took to the streets in huge numbers in November and in February where undoubtedly highlights. The arrests of anti fee activists, including several members of Ógra in attempting to get their message across to government ministers that they did not want fees were also notable.

The campaign has been weakened by the inability of students to stand together to oppose this. The failure of many individual students unions to take a firm pro-active hardline, the inability of USI to manage a sustained campaign as a body and the division of the student body as a result of the formation of separate anti- fee groups have combined to weaken the campaign greatly. This weak leadership has been unsuccessful in stopping legislation being brought before the Dáíl.

The development of the campaign in the coming weeks requires student unity. The manner in which students are to conduct this campaign however must differ from the methods used already. It is clear that in spite of mass agitation, blockades and arrests the government have not, nor do they want to get the message - students will not stand for a re-introduction of fees.

That said it is now time for the government to hold their hands up and admit that they have made an absolute dog’s dinner of the education system (not just the third level sector). They have in spite of enormous wealth, failed working class communities in the 26 counties. The emphasis they placed on a low tax Ireland in the good times, has now come back to bite the government firmly in the backside in the bad.

They cannot be allowed to make the youngest members of society, those who have had absolutely no responsibility in leaving the country in the mess we now find ourselves in, the soft touch in their proposals to balance the books.

The government must also hold their hands up and say that they have under funded the third level sector over the last ten years. That rather than attempt to tackle social inequality and educational disadvantage (as they claim) the government are bending over backwards to appease the Presidents and Provosts of the third level sector as they attempt to drive their respective institutions up league tables.

Indeed it has to be said the unspeakable truth of the entire fees debacle is that the government has been committed to re-introducing fees from last summer when Batt O’Keefe first floated the idea. Furthermore given the current state of the economy the government in relying on the third level sector and the much hyped ‘knowledge economy’ to dig them out of this hole. To put it bluntly the third level institutions – more accurately the President of UCD and Provost of Trinity have the government backed into a corner.

If the government where truly committed to tackling social and educational disadvantage as they claim, they should tackle the archaic grants system that is in place. They should tackle the poor availability of affordable student accommodation, book and other materials. Costs relating to living away from home for many students can reach as much as €8,000 per year and the lack of a suitable grants system leads many students to work long unsociable hours often suffering at the expense of their studies just to ensure they have enough money to feed themselves. These are issues that must be tackled if participation at third level for working class students is to increase.

It is my opinion therefore that the next phase of our campaign to stop fees should focus not on stopping the proposals from the government coming forward but in ensuring that they won’t pass through the Dáil. This can only be done in one way, through pressure on the TDs that can make the decision. In this instance I would propose that this campaign focuses on those Independent and Green Party TDs from whom the government need support for their imminent proposals to be passed. This should be done not through counter-productive measures such as storming offices or intimidating the representatives, it can be done through letter writing and it can be done through phone calls to their constituency offices.

These representatives need the votes and transfers of students and their families to get elected and it is up to these students and their families to make their feelings known. It is critically important that the Independent and Green TDs that prop up the government know they and their party will not get student votes or preferences at election time should they vote for the re-introduction of third level fees in any guise.

If students needed any more warning about what the re-introduction of fees in any form could mean, they only need to look at the recent study in England and Wales that revealed that third level heads there want to increase fees by at least 100 per cent to £6,000 a year. The re-introduction of fees in the 26 counties (or any other type of fee payment scheme) would undoubtedly be the start of a slippery slope.

It is critical that the New Ireland, the one that emerges in the aftermath of the present financial difficulties is not merely a return of the get rich quick ways of the Celtic Tiger.

The present situation does not need minor changes. What Ireland needs is a radical new direction something that the present government is incapable of offering. But it is what we must demand.

QUB Public Talk – The relevance of the 1916 Proclamation today?

Public Talk

The 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic – How relevant is it in the 21st Century?

Speakers include:

Roy Garland, Brian Feeney, Tommy McKearney and speakers from various political parties.

Tuesday 31st March
Elmwood Lecture Theatre @ 7pm

Everyone welcome – Bígí Linn!

Organised by the Sheena Campbell Cumann QUB

British War Machine Recruiting among Irish Students

Students have reacted angrily to the British Army recruiting outside Queens University. The First Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment had a recruitment stall last Friday accompanied by two of the British soldiers in full military regalia trying to recruit students.

These recruitment drives have been ongoing with the British Army having a stall at the fresher’s fair in September.

Student and QUB Sinn Féin activist Gemma Mc Kenna stated that,

“I was appalled at the presence of the British Army at the university. The British war machine is an occupying force in Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, and should not be allowed to recruit young Irish students. They promise students adventure, excitement and good career prospect when in reality all they will be doing is giving their lives to an imperialist power that will use them to invade and occupy other countries.”

She continued:

“Here in Ireland we are trying to build an inclusive and demilitarised society. It is a disgrace that following the outrage and controversy the RIR ‘victory parade’ caused, that they would choose to target a majority nationalist university. It is outrageous that the British Army is allowed by Queen’s University to recruit their students. It is an affront and insult not only to republicans but to all those who protested against the war on Iraq. I call on all Queens’s students to reject the presence of this war force on our campus and for the University to no longer permit them to recruit”.

Huge Turnout at annual Keith Rogers Commemoration

A huge crowd attended the commemoration march in Sheelagh, County Louth, on Sunday, in memory of Volunteer Keith Rogers, who was murdered by criminals on 12 March 2003.

The march was led by Cullyhanna republican flute band and Ógra Shinn Féin members to the Hunger Strike Memorial outside Sheelagh Chapel.

Proceedings were chaired by Louth County Councillor and Sinn Fein European election candidate Tomás Sharkey, who welcomed the large crowd before the main speaker, Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA, gave his oration.

Conor Murphy told the crowd,

"Keith was a young man of just 24 years of age with a full life and a lot to look forward to"

"In dying, he left behind a grieving family and today we again extend our sympathy to his mother Theresa, his father Martin, to his sister Michelle, her children, and to all his family, friends and comrades.”

“The people that murdered Keith are not republicans. They may try to justify their cowardly act in whatever way they wish. The fact is that they murdered a young republican for their own criminal aims."

“Sinn Fein has achieved a new way forward for Irish republicanism. We will now bring our struggle to its just conclusion by peaceful and democratic means.”

Public Talks on Venezuela - Bígí Linn!

PUBLIC MEETINGS

10 years of Venezuelan Revolution
10 years of social progress and democracy

26TH MARCH

2.30PM QUEEN'S STUDENT UNION CLUB ROOM 3

7PM CULTÚRLANN, FALLS ROAD



Find out how Venezuela is setting an example for Latin America and the rest of the world

Main speaker: Francesco Merli (Hands Off Venezuela Int. Campaign)

Organised by: The Fourth World War, Mondays 6.30pm & Thursdays 1pm Féile FM 103.2

http://www.feilefm.com/

Please pass on

Ranger Scmucks

Gerry Junior

Sorry for the long delay in posting folks, I have no excuses, I’m not busy studying, not busy working, not busy with party work or praying, no nothing like that at all – just downright bone idle lazy.

There you have it, but hey at least I’m honest unlike other bloggers…

Anyway it’s back to the world of blogging for me, hope you leave a few comments and keep me posted on anything that deserves a wee satirical analysis.

Just to start the ball rolling, I never fail to be amazed at the downright ridiculous stupidity, irony and hypocrisy of the loyalists.

The racist, anti migrant workers and combat 18 aligned unionist death squads had Egyptians, the Shoukri’s, at the helm for a while. I wonder how many migrant workers the ‘Aryan’ Shoukri’s and their boys drove out?

The recent gem of loyalist genius has the loyalist Rangers fans giving a Nazi salute with the Israeli flag flying proudly beside them. What would Nazi Nick and Johnny ‘third person’ Adair say?

The irony is lost on these towers of intellect.

Quite the picture postcard of fine upstanding international supporters of Israel, they would probably look more at home at a Fine Gael Ard Fheis – blue shirts ahem.

And I really can’t highlight this act of brainlessness without referring you all back to the RSFer decked out in full Celtic gear, highlighting his opposition to foreign games…

What more can I say?

The picture says it all – With these examples of Stephen Hawking academia, thank god (or Jebus for any atheist Simpson’s fans) that we have a Sinn Féin Education Minister to sort this mess out.


Is there anymore proof needed for the abolition of the 11+?

Successful and Thought Provoking Republican Youth Weekend in Waterford

Young Republicans from across Ireland descended on the Deise between the 20 – 22 March as Waterford Ógra Shinn Féin hosted its first youth weekend.

The weekend began on Friday evening with the launch of Eoin O’Broin’s new book, and a discussion on Left Republicanism.

This set the context for the weekend, with a lot of debate focussing on a new left alternative and our economic outlook, with a further discussion the next day led by local Councillor David Cullinane on the economy, following a protest in Red Square calling for job creation at this time of crisis.

An extensive leaflet drop of the town centre was then undertaken with ‘Educate to be Free’ pamphlets.

Also as part of the weekend, the history of Waterford was traced on a walking tour on the Saturday morning, and a talk on the Irish language was facilitated by Peader DeBluit before delegates watched the triumph of Ireland’s Rugby team edge to grand slam victory.



Speaking on behalf of Ógra Shinn Féin Waterford, Seán Ó Briain stated –

"This was our first, but certainly not our last youth weekend to be hosted in the Déise. I would like to personally thank Eoin, Peadar and David for providing us with thought-provoking speeches. All were brilliant in their own right, and it really assisted in adding educational substance to the weekend."

"I would also like to thank all activists who travelled long distances across Ireland from Tyrone to Cork, to make this event and for participating in the weekend's activities and assisting in accommodation. It was great to see huge numbers protesting the streets of Waterford, in solidarity with the many people of Ireland who are losing their jobs at an unfathomable rate. The response from the Waterford public was very positive."

Ógra Shinn Féin Doire Launch Equality for the Easter Lily Campaign

Ógra Shinn Féin where joined by Raymond McCartney MLA this week in calling for the Easter Lily to be afforded equal status in the work place and public places at Easter and are calling for Irish youth to ‘proudly wear an Easter lily’ to remember Ireland’s patriot dead.

During the run up to Easter Sunday Republicans wear the Easter Lily to remember their patriot dead.

Currently the Easter Lily is banned in many work places and schools and in the past Irish Republicans have been harassed and arrested for promoting the Easter Lily.

Speaking at today’s event Chairperson of Ógra Shinn Féin Na Fianna Martyrs Cumman Doire Aoife Mc Naught said,

“We will be promoting the equality of Easter Lily from now until Easter Sunday by calling on the people of Derry and further a field to proudly wear an Easter Lily. We are asking for young people especially to wear one and to promote them in their schools.”

“We are also asking people to sign our petition which will be calling for the Easter lily to be afforded equal status. Our next action, which we will be undertaking locally, is writing a letter to and lobbying the BBC and UTV calling on them to allow and encourage employees to wear an Easter lily during the next few weeks. Wear an Easter Lily with pride.”

'Educate to be Free' campaign hits Doire

Ógra Shinn Féin Doire launched their new National Campaign Educate to be Free on Saturday evening in the city centre with a leaflet drop to the people of Derry to highlight the problems that young people are facing within the education system.

Speaking at the Event Aoife Mc Naught Chair of Na Fianna Martyrs Cumann Doire said,

“This event will touch on all aspects of education, the main areas which we are focusing on is the cost of Living which University students have to face on a daily basis, An Ghaeilge- that every pupil in secondary school should have access to Irish Language education, the 11+ we are totally supportive of Catriona Ruane’s decision to abolish this elitist system and of course tuition fees which are a regular worry for families looking to send their children into third level education but are worried about the repayments.”

“We are planning to expand on this campaign and are already focusing on our next step which is to leaflet every secondary school in the City.”