anIssue 5 Jul-Sept 2019 £2.50/€3.00 spréachIndependent non-profit Socialist Republican magazine

THE HUNGERSTRIKES PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN OUR HISTORY Where’s the Pleasure? Examining Sexual Morality Under Capitalism An EU Immigrant The Craigavon 2 More Than A I’m Irish and Pro- A Miscarriage of Beautiful Game Leave Justice Soccer and Politics DIGITAL BACK ISSUES of anspréach Magazine are available for download via our website. Just visit www.anspreach.org

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An Spréach is an independent Socialist Republican magazine formed by a collective of political activists across Ireland. It aims to bring you, the read- er, a broad swathe of opinion from within the Irish Socialist Republican political sphere, including, but not exclusive to, the fight for national liberation and socialism in Ireland and internationally.

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An Spréach is a not-for-profit magazine which only aims to fund its running costs, including print and associated platforms. ____ Is iris poblachtach sóisialta í An Spréach curtha le chéile ag roinnt gníomhaithe polaitiúla. An aidhm atá leis ná tuilleadh léargais agus dearcthaí ón phobal poblachtach sóisialta a chur i do láthair mar léitheoir, ábhar nach mbaineann amháin leis an troid shaortha shóisialta náisiúnta in Éirinn agus idirnáisiúnta. Ní hionann na dearcaidh luaite anseo agus dearcadh an fhoilseacháin ach is iad dearcaidh de chuid an údair iad. Cuirfear fáilte roimh gach gníomhaí polaitiúil ábhar a chur ar fáil, ailt tuairimíochta, litreacha, anailís stairiúil agus gach aon ábhar cuí san áireamh. Tá sé de cheart ag an eagarthóir alt clúmhillteach nó ionsaitheach a fhágáil ar lár. Caithfear ainmneacha iomlána agus fíor ainmneacha a bheith ar fáil, go fiú nuair a úsáidtear ainm cleite, sonraí teagmhála ábhartha san áireamh. Ná déantar dearmad, tá seans ann go n-iarrfar ort eagar a chur ar do shaothar sa dóigh is go bhféadaimis an spás leathanaigh a líonadh mar is ceart. Tá seans ann ar a bharr sin go ndéanfar coiriú ar phíosa le seo a eascú ach déanfar achan iarrachta an cothromas agus dearcaidh an phíosa sin a thabhairt, gan claonadh. Is iris neamhbhrabúis í An Spréach a sholáthraíonn airgead maidir le costais reatha amháin, costais clódóireachta agus tairsí atá bainteach léi.

TEAGMHÁIL CONTACT ____ Ríomhpoist / Email: [email protected] ____ Suíomh gréasáin / Web anspreach.org ____ Facebook /anspreach ____ Twitter @anspreachmedia CLÁR CONTENTS p2 Brighton The Bomb that Shook an Empire p3 More Than a Beautiful Game Are Soccer and Politics SCRÍBHNEOIRÍ CONTRIBUTORS Inseparable? ____ p4 Where’s the Pleasure? Examining Sexual Morality Under Aindriú Mac Ruaidhrí ____ Capitalism Mariah Donnelly p6 I’m an EU Immigrant I’m Irish and Pro-Leave ____ p7 Before the War Drawing Comparisons with Post-Conflict Ireland Seán Shirley-Smith p8 Irish Republican Abstentionism A Very Short History ____ p10 Combating Climate Change A Truly Green Movement is the Éamonn Ó Cleirigh Deepest Shade of Red ____ Dieter Reinisch p15 The Craigavon 2 A Modern Day Miscarriage of Justice ____ p16 50 The fifth in our series chronicling 5 decades of history David Swanson p17 Notes for Revolutionaries ____ p18 The Hungerstrikes Pivotal Moments in Irish History John-Paul Wootton p19 A Letter to the 22 You Have Not Gone Away, You Never Will ____ p20 Abstentionism The Lifeblood of Irish Republicanism Pádraic Mac Coitir ____ p22 Electoralism Its Growth and Limitations Colum Mac Giolla Bhéin p24 No Hope on Hope Street Immigration Detention in Larne ____ p25 In the Belly of the Beast The St Patricks Battalion & Anti- Peter A. Rogers Imperialism ____ Breandán Ó Conchubhair ____ FEATURE Aylisha Hogan ____ REPUBLICANISM WAS AT ITS STRONGEST IN Christian Noakes GENERATIONS“ AND IN MY OPINION IT WAS THE

CLOSEST WE GOT TO ACHIEVING A SOCIALIST EAGARTHÓIR EDITOR REPUBLIC. ____ p18 The Hungerstrikes Ciarán Ó Briain Pivotal Moments in History

1 984 was a year that saw Berry, Deputy Chief Whip for the the British Conservative Conservative Party. Amongst the injured were several notable figures government, led by “WE ONLY 1 including Conservative politician Sir Margaret Thatcher, step up Walter Clegg who’s bedroom was its war in Ireland. Britains directly above the blast, and Baron counter-gangs, the paramil- Norman Tebbitt, then a member HAVE TO BE of the Conservative governments itary organisations of the Cabinet, and who, when asked by Ulster Defence Association hospital staff in the immediate and the Ulster Volunteer aftermath of the incident if he LUCKY ONCE” had any allergies, is said to have Force, continued their cam- Brighton - the bomb that paign of sectarian murder replied, “yes, bombs.” and blood-letting, whilst paid Thatcher went on the say that the perjurers were used to round attack was “an attempt to cripple shook an Empire. up Irish citizens in what Her Majesty’s democratically can only be described as elected Government”. internment. The IRA’s response was forthright: It was also a year in which the IRA “Mrs. Thatcher will now realise that were to respond in kind. Britain cannot occupy our country and torture our prisoners and shoot At approximately 2:54 am on 12 our people in their own streets and October, as the top tier of the British get away with it. Today we were government settled into their unlucky, but remember we only beds in Brightons ‘Grand Hotel’, have to be lucky once. You will have a long-delay timer attached to a to be lucky always. 20lb gelignite bomb developed by the IRA’s engineering department, Give Ireland peace and there will be initiated. no more war.” Understood to be hidden inside Republican ex-Prisoner Patrick Ma- the frame of a bath within room gee, who served a sentence for his 629 in the weeks previous to the role in the IRA Active Service Unit Conservative party conference, who conducted the operation, and the device was positioned just oftentimes referred to by the media five floors above where the British as ‘The Brighton Bomber’, said that Prime Minister would be settling the British Government’s strategy down and preparing for her next at the time was to depict the IRA as days work. As Thatcher rehearsed a mere criminals, and to contain the speech she had planned, the blast war to the Six Counties. took hold. “As long as the war was kept in Tearing through the framework of that context”, he said, “ they could the old Victorian building, five tons sustain the years of attrition. But of brickwork in the form of an old in the early 1980s we succeeded chimney stack, fell from the height in destroying both strategies. The of the structure, down through hunger strike destroyed the notion each floor and into the basement. of criminalisation and the Brighton Amidst the smoke, dust and debris, bombing destroyed the notion a massive gaping hole gave view of containment. After Brighton, to the internals of the Grand Hotel, anything was possible and the which were now exposed to the British for the first time began to dark Brighton sky. look very differently at us; even the IRA itself, I believe, began to fully ‘They Missed Her By Two Minutes’, accept the priority of the campaign cried the headlines as it became in England.” • clear that the IRA had almost wiped out many members of the British Cabinet, including Thatcher herself. The blast severely damaged part of Thatchers hotel suite which she was in at the time, though she and her husband escaped and were led out through the wreckage to safety.

Five people died in the blast, including Tory MP Sir Anthony

2 ince the formation fascist cop units onto the streets, group quickly fell apart and a of football there has they arrested several high-rank- splinter group was formed, The ing Catalan officials, they seized Democratic Football Lads Alliance been a raging, con- S millions of voting slips and they (DFLA). In 2018 around 6,000 peo- MORE tinuous argument: Should beat Catalan supporters. ple marched through London at a politics be kept separate DFLA march, outnumbering Antifa from football? Barcelona responded with a by around twenty to one. Spotted statement that not only con- in the crowd were members of THAN A Some would argue that the demned the acts of the fascist the Ulster Defence Association political reality can involve government but more importantly (UDA), the Racial Volunteer Force, it thrust its weight behind the Combat 18, EDL and Generation offence, division and some- BEAUTIFUL Catalan movement: Identity. times even violence, it’s important that politics must “FC Barcelona, in remaining The event was billed as a day of be distinguished from the faithful to its historic commitment free speech however this was not the case. The group incited racial GAME game. However football, and to the defence of the nation, to democracy, to freedom of speech, hatred, Islamophobia and facsist sport in general, has helped and to self-determination, con- slogans. In response to these By Aindriú to change the political demns any act that may impede events the Football Lads & Lasses landscape of their day by the free exercise of these rights. against Fascism was established. highlighting the underlying Therefore, FC Barcelona publicly A broad front to combat and chal- Mac Ruaidhrí lenge the DFLA, it was attracted problems in society and expresses its support for all peo- ple, entities, and institutions that over 10,000 members. The group giving a voice to those on work to guarantee these rights. covers DFLA material, leaflets the fringes. This further proves that politics football grounds and expose and football cannot be separated, members of the DFLA. Their main The reality is, football and politics however it is not just clubs that objective is to stop DFLA building can never be separated and have married both together. a fascist street movement and or- never should be. In the modern ganising at any club. They want to football era of steroid capitalist In 1995 there was a long dispute build anti-racist and anti-fascist environment, we can clearly see between Liverpool dock workers cultures at football grounds and that football clubs are no longer and their employers, the Mersey hopeto rebuild a counter-culture seen as an ambassador at a local Docks and Harbour Company. The on the terraces that challenges level but rather a brand to sell - conflict began when workers re- the far right and corporatism in with the exception of a few clubs fused to cross a picket in a show football. such as Sankt Pauli, Livorno and of solidarity with another group smaller clubs like Clapton CFC. of dockers who had been sacked I have long believed that the by a different company. The 500 relationship between football Football’s governing bodies, men who had shown support for and politics is a reservoir of mainly FIFA and UEFA established fellow workers were accused of opportunity and a platform for a set of rules and regulations acting in breach of their contracts social change. Albeit In previous that Football Associations and and were sacked. Liverpool generations, it was the norm for clubs must follow. They state that striker Robbie Fowler famously politicians to be more accus- equipment “must not have any displayed a t-shirt underneath tomed to Twickenham and cricket political, religious, or personal his jersey showing support and rather than Celtic Park or Anfield. slogans, statements or images” solidarity to the dockers and was However the new kid on the block - this is extended to supporters subsequently fined by UEFA, but is the one who wants their club to also. also banned on talking about the remain “their” club. For clubs to issue by Liverpool. allow fans to voice their opinions Opposing this can have huge and express their political beliefs detriment to a club and often Politics is often contested among with persecutions, to stay as results in astronomical fines and fans in the terraces, with power grass roots as possible and more in the worst case scenario, fans struggles that divide club support. importantly put the fans first. banned from attending or the Dainton Connell was no excep- “It was like beating a country, not game played behind closed doors. tion, he became a famous and a football team.…This was our However there is football clubs respected leader of the Arsenal revenge, it was…recovering a that challenge the regulatory FC hooligan firm. At the time part of the Malvinas. We all said boundaries such as F.C Barcelona. the fascist National Front was beforehand that we shouldn’t mix infiltrating football fans in London the two things but that was a lie. Since Franco’s dictatorship the (with huge success e.g. Chelsea A lie!” Catalan language and cultural Headhunters, Millwall and traditions have been heavily West Ham’s ICF), he proactively Diego Maradona’s words shook suppressed, and the club’s role confronted paper sellers at games footballing aristocracy, just as has not changed - Barca are and set up counter demonstra- James McLean has, and just as effectively perceived within the tions when the NF organised and Celtic FC supporters have with region as a national team for an rallied. their unwavering support for the oppressed stateless people. plight of the Palestinian people. In 2017 the Football Lads Alliance This is tangible evidence that (FLA) was founded. The move- In 2018 the Catalan government football remains a battering ram ment claimed it was “anti-ex- declared independence and for social change and a way to tremist” but has entrenched itself scheduled a referendum. The proudly demonstrate political in far right politics and aligned state deployed the army and beliefs. • with other extremist groups. The anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 3 years 100ago, during ideas about his brief position as sex, sexuality and gender are articulated and promoted through empowerment. Commissar for Education sex education programmes. In the However, despite substantial and Culture in the Bol- North, 92% of schools are con- evidence and scholarship reporting femininity shevik Belakun regime in trolled by religious division, while the importance of removing reli- which is characterised by mother- in the Republic, roughly 1% of gious affiliation and school-based hood over womanhood, purity, and Hungary, Georg Lukacs secondary schools are controlled religious bias from school sex chastity, with their bodies being denounced the Christian by non-religious institution. Sex education curricula, sex education controlled by the performative moralism of capitalist education in Ireland is an intensely in Ireland - especially the North - bourgeois ideology of religious contested concept. remains fixated within the realm of sexual morality. The effect? A society and inaugurated religious conservative moralism. pervasive culture of silence, a radical sex education In the North, it continues to be shame, guilt and bodily fear. programme. taught in the same way as it did As currently practiced, sex in the 1980s when it was first education programmes in Ireland In these classes, women are posi- The programme promoted free introduced in schools, while in are fuelled by bourgeois religious tioned as the gatekeepers of sex, love and called on youths to the Republic little movement has sexual moralism ultimately solely responsible to discourage remove their chains of sexual occured with regards to the Sex preparing us to basque in the any activity, instincts or urges that repression imbued within them Education Bill, introduced in 2018. fears of Catholic Guilt. As a result, may potentially lead to sex. through strict conservatice Subsequently, sex education takes adolescents, particularly work- From my experience, ‘sex edu- religious education on sex and the overwhelming form of ‘absti- ing-class students, are vulnerable cation’ was far more concerned sexuality. Similarly, Alexandra nence-only,’ where fearmongering to the practices and language with teaching young girls that Kollontai following the Russian tactics are religiously utilised, with fixated on victimisation, teenage it was their responsibility to tell Revolution in 1917 inaugurated videos such as The Silent Scream pregnancy, and the dangers of sex. boys that they didn’t want to have a movement of sexual liberation depicting abortion strictly as sex and that they must always asserting that love and sexuality murder and indoctrination shown Additionally, sex education pro- resist the passes that boys will should be removed from economic to adolescent teenagers in religion grammes embed into the fabric of make. As would be predicted, sex considerations. classes. The use of Pam Stenzel everyday life pre-designed ideals and sexuality is narrowly defined videos is another resource that is of gender relations – solely viewed within a heterosexual-patriarchal Later on, throughout the 1950s commonly deployed by schools, in terms of heterosexuality – framework where male urges and 1960s, Czechoslovakian where ‘virginity’ and sex are which underpin patriarchal society. were accepted as normal and sexologists were dedicated to portrayed through the metaphor Such programmes are actively even encouraged through such understanding the importance of of cellotape, once used it loses its disempowering and harming the teaching, whereas women’s urges the female orgasm as instrumental worth. students they apparently seek to were portrayed as unnatural and in achieving gender equality. Such ‘protect.’ something to be immediately practices radically contrasted the These anti-sex, fear and scare- suppressed. trends in the West where ideas of mongering approaches to sex The pre-designed ideals of gender sex and sexuality were dominated education have long been refuted relations that are channeled Problematically, when young girls by religious bourgeois sexual due to their negative impact on through religious sex education are taught to ‘be strong’ and ‘re- moralism and conservatism. youth development, as well as the programmes create a platform for sist’ when boys will inevitably try detrimental impact on individuals young women to be indoctrinated to have sex with them, it does not In Ireland, as in most countries, emotional development and sexual to perform certain models of come from a concern of consent. 4 Rather, it was to emphasise the protection of fe- male innocence and ‘moral value’ vital to protect of the virginal woman. Women are young women from objectifying viewed solely as the recipients of and misogynistic versions of of sexuality sex with the end-point being male female sexual expression. more broadly have proven incom- pleasure. patible and incoherent. programmes Rather than dichotomously in the North of Ireland are In 1988 Michelle Fine, an situating the two positions of As most recently shown in undoubtedly long-overdue. While academic at Harvard University, sexual empowerment against England, attempts to reform sex the people of Ireland (and indeed, published a short article enti- each other, a more meaningful education to be more sexually-in- the world) cheer on with the recent tled ‘Sexuality, Schooling and and realistic approach would be to clusive and the development of announcement that abortion Adolescent Females: The Missing explore the negative and positive sexual empowerment have been rights and equal marriage will be Discourses of Desire.’ The article aspects of sexual empowerment vehemently opposed by conserv- introduced if Stormont is not up inaugurate a movement dedicated and development in an intimate ative politicians (it’s no shock that and running by the 21st October, to the introduction of pleasure as a relationship. every DUP MP voted against the we still have a long way to go with critical and instrumental approach reform). The Sex Education Bill, regards to women’s rights. I think to sex education programmes. Regardless however of what to be introduced in 2020, has the sex education is a major part of Since the publication of Fine’s position one takes, what is clear is guise of progressiveness, however, this, however, it continues to be article, a growing body of research that we need to radically overhaul it is still confined by a limited and overlooked or undermined. Sex ed- has scrutinised and problematised sex education provisions in narrow perception of the power of ucation has the opportunity to be the call for the inclusion of Ireland that remove religious and sex education. Faith schools will incredibly radical and demonstrate pleasure discourses within sex school-ethos’ from influencing continue to teach within the tenets a critical approach to ideas of education. the curriculum and practice of sex of their faith, while academies and pleasure, sexuality, gender ideals education in schools. It’s time that free schools (which constitute the and be a LGBTQ+ inclusive space. This is because the sexual em- schools shook themselves from majority of secondary education in Sex education can and must be powerment of young women has the chains of sexual repression England) do not have to follow the powerful and radical. If it does not long been a battleground for femi- and embraced a culture of sexual National Curriculum, and parents incorporate these vital issues, it nist scholars, and “empowerment” liberation where sex education is remain in complete control of will continue to fall short. Activism has always been a vital concept framed from a critical rights-based whether their child can attend has produced a remarkable victory for feminists. On one hand, framework advocating the inclu- sex education classes. ‘Reform’ for women’s rights, and I believe scholars call for young women sion of pleasure and sexual devel- therefore, in capitalist society, will activism will bring about radical to be given the tools to express opment as a requirement rather always be limited, incomplete, and and crucial change in the area of feelings of sexual desire, pleasure, than an option. Within a capitalist reductive. sex education too. • and agency. On the other hand, society, however, radical transfor- feminist scholars argue that it is mation of sex education and ideals The reformation of sex education 5 “I’M AN EU IMMIGRANT, I’M IRISH AND I’M PRO-LEAVE...” By Seán Shirley-Smith

’m a first-generation EU skipping meals on the regular even with? My own family were able to to single market and customs un- immigrant to the UK. Born before June 2016. The claim from move here in spite of our financial ion membership; to prevent a hard so-called ‘People’s Voters’, who circumstances by having friends border with the Republic, and in in the Republic of Ireland, I did not care then, that they support and family already rooted in the the medium term having a border raised for the first five years remaining out of compassion for UK who could help us when we poll to bring about a democratic of my life in Germany, and those of us at the bottom is a were technically homeless. Most and peaceful United Ireland. That with a wealth of Irish, Ger- blatant lie. Nor did the EU did not working-class people don’t have is not incompatible with believing man, English, Scottish and prevent the vile xenophobia we such opportunities, unless they that the will of the British people have faced as EU immigrants. I’m are imported as cheap labour in must be respected, that we must Polish ancestry within the ‘fortunate’; my name is not par- exploitative manoeuvres by busi- leave the European Union and last three or four genera- ticularly ‘foreign’, I have an English nesses and corporations seeking fight to establish socialism for tions of my family. There is accent, and I’m white. But my early to depress wages. the working class of this country. little more my family could childhood was one of xenophobic Ireland too in the long term should ‘jokes’ about my origins, and as Freedom of movement has never and must have this fight, but it is have done to create a truly I do not shy away from being been a right for the majority, it is not for Britain to decide when and European child. Why then, proud of my origins, I face bigoted instead a tool for the capitalist how this happens. have I supported leaving the remarks regularly. class to move capital, goods, ser- European Union since before vices and labour to benefit them So yes, I’m an EU immigrant and the referendum? My mother is less fortunate, with – not us. Those who can afford to an Irish republican. But I’m also a clear accent that ensures she is travel abroad for their holidays, or working-class to my core, and subject to xenophobia. My sister to move permanently, can afford to a socialist. That means I will I am a socialist, not out of some meanwhile chooses not to mention pay the cost of a visa and to wait always support leaving the EU, moralistic duty to make the world her German background, instead slightly longer in a queue at border and try to raise awareness of a better place, but ultimately as proudly asserting she is English. A control. Freedom of movement has a left-wing case for it, such as a consequence of my material bastion for successful integration always existed for the wealthy, when I co-chaired ‘A Left View of conditions. That socialism is then? No. A consequence of a the idea that the EU extends it to Brexit’ for the Cambridge Socialist incompatible with the EU, it has xenophobic culture that existed working class people is a myth Society with speakers Robert been explained in depth by sharper alongside EU membership for over built to sustain exploitation and a Griffiths; General Secretary of the minds than mine exactly how a decade before 2016. The way capitalist market. Communist Party, Lara McNeill; socialist economic policy directly to combat that is to address the Youth Representative on Labour’s contravenes EU law on state aid material conditions that give rise Another question I am repeatedly National Executive Committee, and competition within the single to bigotry, not scapegoat a societal forced to confront is that of the Sarah Cundy; Youth Represent- market, as well as how the cus- phenomenon on a single vote; par- British border in Ireland. I am an ative on Labour’s South East toms union acts as a neo-imperi- ticularly when the overwhelming open Irish republican who supports Regional Board, and Dr Lee Jones; alist bulwark against developing majority of the 17.4 million are not the Good Friday Agreement and co-founder of The Full Brexit and a economies. It is no secret that the responsible for such bigotry. fears a return to the violence of the Reader in International Politics at EU cannot be reformed from its Troubles. How then can I support Queen Mary, University of London. inherently capitalist nature, but A common question I’m asked leaving the EU? The border is a must instead be torn down. is that of taking away the rights British creation, one that I believe As socialists, Irish republicans, and of millions to travel, work and must be ended through a United members of the working class, I The EU did not prevent my family live in other European countries, Ireland. I firmly believe in the believe we all have a duty to do from living in poverty as the Tories when my multiple citizenships self-determination of the Irish peo- the same, rather than allowing slashed welfare, ensuring that mean I retain that right. But what ple, and that means respecting the both sides of any debate be domi- there were plenty of times we right is there for the millions who right of the north of Ireland to at nated by liberals and reactionaries survived on a day to day basis, cannot afford to do so to begin least have special status in regard who care little for our lives. •

6 anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 n the late 1960s the and disbandment of one of the civil rights movement most efficient and effective guerrilla armies of their time. Iin Ireland came to A humiliating defeat for those prominence. The need betrayed by their leaders who BEFORE for a mass movement orchestrated the surrender to that militantly advocated appease paymasters in London and Washington. and fought for civil rights was necessary in order 20 years on from that Treaty we THE WAR to tackle the inequality still live in an Orange state that is impoverished and controlled By Éamonn Ó Cleirigh between the impover- by the business class. The reli- ished population and the gious and community makeup business class, and to of the ruling class may have challenge the misrep- changed, giving a false sense of progress, but they do not resentation by the ruling represent or act in the interest class and the unionist of the majority. junta in the allocation of jobs and housing. The Irish working class of all religions and none continue to be squeezed economically by Since the betrayal by the Free a class that literally has money State Pro-Treatyites and the es- to burn. The unionist junta has tablishment of the Orange state, been replaced by a unionist/ the unionist junta had at its nationalist coalition that has the disposal the Special Powers Act, same powers at their disposal. its own paramilitary police force in the name of the RUC and its The Special Powers Act may own militia, the B Specials. The be gone but any person who Orange state was never going to actively objects to the status allow its power to be threat- quo and fights for social justice ened by peaceful protest and can expect to be threatened, therefore through its militias harassed or detained under the and loyalist mobs it attacked Terrorism Act. These laws are civil rights activists engaged in enforced by the new face of the squats, invaded demonstrations RUC, the PSNI, which has been in Coalisland and Burntollet, widely supported and endorsed wrecked the Bogside and burnt by the pro-treatyites. down Bombay St. Today, in the Orange state there The result of letting these gangs remains massive inequalities loose was the sectarian mur- in relation to a good standard ders of many innocent civilians, of education, jobs, employment one of them being 9 year old and housing. We continue to Patrick Rooney who was shot be fooled into voting along the through the head as he lay same sectarian lines at each sleeping in his bed in Divis flats. election, to the same failed He was shot by a .30 calibre institutions, in the hope that at round from a Browning machine some point, somehow, some- gun mounted onto the back of thing must change. an armoured jeep, a weapon for use in open warfare and This will never be the case. The not enclosed urban areas. The only thing that ever threatened round cut through his bedroom the ruling class was the mobi- wall and hit him in the head. lisation of the largest and most powerful base in the country, These events triggered the the Irish working class. And most recent conflict in Ireland. only when we organise can we Almost 30 years of bombings, finally overthrow the junta that shootings, imprisonments keeps us in the ghettos. • and killings. The conflict was concluded by the Good Friday Treaty that ultimately led to the surrender, decommissioning anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 7 IRISH REPUBLICAN ABSTENTIONISM A VERY SHORT HISTORY By Dieter Reinisch

bstentionism is The founding figures of Irish dominated the then political Constance Markiewicz. Republicanism in the 1780/90s landscape. arguably the most Despite these setbacks, were certainly not abstentionists. Ainfluential and, at The publication of Arthur Griffith’s Republicans remained loyal to the the same time, the most Before I run you through key “The Resurrection of Hungary” in Second Dáil. In 1938, the seven contested policy of the moments in the Irish Republican 1904 was another key stepping surviving members of the Second political wing(s) of the abstentionism debate, let me stone for abstentionism. In this Dáil handed over the government Republican Movement acknowledge that I am fully book, Griffith calls for the boycott authority of the All-Ireland throughout the 20th century. aware that one doesn’t write an of all British institutions and Republic to the IRA Army Council. It was, after all, the tactic article about a political concept the establishment of a national Among them was General Tom of abstentionism that without defining it. However, as council in Ireland. Although Griffith Maguire. This event is not directly established the First Dáil the contributions in this issue was no Republican, this tactic linked to abstentionism, yet it had Éireann. Or is it a strategy? of An Spréach reflect, what became Sinn Féin policy after the a major impact on some of the A principle? Irish Republican abstentionism 1916-Rising. later events to come. is and how it can be defined is What role abstentionism performs Joseph McGuinness was the In April 1964, the General contested. Hence, I will refrain within the political programme first Sinn Féin candidate to Headquarters of Óglaigh na from defining it myself here for, as of the Republican Movement has be successfully elected on an hÉireann published a detailed we shall see, the understanding been widely discussed. To be abstentionist ticket at the Longford statement on the expulsion of abstentionism by Republicans sure, there is no other policy that South by-election on 9 May 1917. of Patrick McLogan and the themselves is fluid and subject to shaped the modern Republican Subsequently, the general election resignation of Tony Magan from change over time. Movement in any way similar to manifesto of 1918 stated that the Republican Movement. This abstentionism. The debates around The origins of abstentionism Sinn Féin plans “to remove the statement is a first outline of abstentionism split the movement in Ireland go back to the Young Irish presence from the British the interpretation of modern several times, most notably in Irelander movement in 1845. parliament”. Sinn Féin held Irish Republican history by the 1926 and 1969, and most recently Thomas Davis proposed a motion their promise, and following the movement itself. The document in 1986. to abstain from parliament during landslide victory of Republican was a blueprint for pro- Some of the more traditional a Repeal Association meeting in candidates, the First Dáil Éireann abstentionist voices during the advocates of Republicanism would that year. William Smith O’Brien was established in Mansion House, 1969 and 1986 splits. I would argue that abstentionism is a core was eventually the first to refuse Dublin, in January 1919. suggest that it served as the to take his seat in Westminster, basis for the book “Dílseácht”, a principle of the Irish version of After the War of Independence which resulted in his imprisonment historical defence of abstentionism Republicanism, together with the and the defeat of the Republican in London. by the late Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, recognition of the Second Dáil forces in the civil war that had former president of (Provisional) Éireann, the de-jure existence It was only two decades later that followed, Sinn Féin reorganised Sinn Féin and later founder of of the All-Ireland Republic as the Irish Republican Brotherhood as an abstentionist party but Republican Sinn Féin (RSF). established in 1916, the right reconsidered abstentionism. soon, in 1926, the majority of to maintain armed struggle, In 1870, Jeremiah O’Donovan their members followed Eamonn Merely six years later, the the understanding that Ireland Rossa and John Mitchel both won de Valera into his new, anti- movement split between is one nation, among several by-elections on an abstentionist abstentionist Fianna Fáil. Among Provisionals and Officials and other principles. On the contrary, ticket in Co Tipperary. However, those who left the movement were abstentionism was once again abstentionism is not a foundation constitutional Nationalism still prominent Republicans such as among the key political factors. A of modern Irish Republicanism.

8 anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 motion to abandon abstentionism election campaign. agree with that, but we cannot electoral success of independent was proposed as early as the walk away. If we leave now, we Republican candidates throughout While many Volunteers put little General Army Convention of 1965; cannot continue as the IRA. We the 6 Counties, particularly in interest in Sinn Féin during a large majority of delegates have to work from within and Derry/Strabane. In addition these years, the significance defeated it then. In 1969, a similar try to revise this move.” Lynagh to RSF, new groups such as of the debate shall not be proposal was successful. Coming was later killed in the Loughgall Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland underestimated. To give an back to the 1938-statement, Tom Ambush; the other Volunteer and Saoradh emerged, openly example, the debates within Maguire declared the Provisional followed Michael McKevitt into the advocating abstentionism, though the Portlaoise Prison Sinn Féin Army Council as the inheritor of Real IRA in 1997. for different reasons. This issue of Cumann almost entirely focused the Second Dáil. The Provisionals An Spréach is a welcome addition on electoral politics between 1983 Twelve years after the dropping remained abstentionists. to these debates, reflecting the and 1985, as it becomes evident in of abstentionism to Leinster growing interest in electoral Nonetheless, not too long the minutes. House, on 10 May 1998, 331 policies among Republicans, afterwards, a renewed debate of 350 delegates supported a The movement eventually split both abstentionist and anti- on abstentionism re-emerged. motion drafted by the Sinn Féin at the Ard-Fheis in 1986. Led by abstentionist. A group of younger, Northern Ard-Chomhairle to take the seats the former president Ruairí Ó volunteers climbed up the at Stormont. In November 1999, Meanwhile, Sinn Féin nominally Brádaigh, a group of traditionalists hierarchy of the movement. Among Ó Brádaigh, now president of maintains its abstentionist stance mainly from the 26 Counties, them was a young Gerry Adams. RSF, commented on Sinn Féin: on Westminster. In reality, Sinn walked out after the motion to From the cages of Long Kesh, he “It is a short step from the entry Féin members of the British drop abstentionism to Leinster penned articles under the name to Stormont to the complete parliament make full use of the House was passed with 429 to “Brownie”. One of these articles, absorption into the British funds and facilities available in 161 votes. They reconstituted as “Active Abstentionism”, suggested system.” London. Their abstentionism is RSF, making abstentionism one of a re-interpretation of the policy, nothing but an empty shell. The their core principles. Again, Tom RSF remained small and, over sparking a debate that eventually sole historical lineage to the Maguire declared, as it was later the past three decades, a largely led to another split in 1986. Revolutionary abstentionism from announced, the Continuity Army isolated force in Irish politics. 1918 is that Sinn Féin members The debate gained momentum Council as the lawful reincarnation Nonetheless, the 1986-split shy away from attending plenary following the electoral victories of the Second Dáil. established a lasting schism sessions. This understanding of during the 1981 hunger strikes. within Republicanism. Over the However, many opposed to the 2019-abstentionism of Sinn Féin One crucial event in the road following decades, numerous discontinuation of abstentionism is a far cry from the “withdrawal from revolutionary politics to groups emerged at one stage remained within the Provisional of all Irish delegates from British parliamentarism followed another or another from the Provisional Republican Movement. One institutions” as declared by Sinn in those years. First came the movement. Some of these groups episode is particularly telling: Féin in 1918. • “Armalite and the Ballot Box”, openly support an abstentionist One delegate who was also an and then the dropping of the policy, some not, others have no IRA-Volunteer and particularly federal Éire Nua policy which led formulated elections policy. close to Jim Lynagh remembers a anspréach: Further discussion Ruairí Ó Brádaigh to stand down conversation outside the hall just It is interesting to observe a on abstentionism and electoralism as president of Sinn Féin; he after the vote: “I said to Jim [that] recent growth of support for can be found on pages 20-23. was succeeded by Gerry Adams they have taken over, what shall abstentionism among sections of in 1983. The electoral debates we do? And Jim said to me: I don’t Republicans despite the recent heated up during the 1984 EEC anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 9 COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE A TRULY GREEN MOVEMENT IS THE DEEPEST SHADE OF RED By David Swanson

he effects of climate change This is particularly apparent in the strategy will continue to blight humanity, no matter how remain a common discussion towards curbing the influence of plastic within effective the boycott. our society. Many environmental documen- point in today’s society, as all T taries and indeed state media channels have The road to hell is paved with good intentions, forms of broadcasting continually devoted countless amounts of hours towards and without a democratically planned mode of highlight that we must be mindful that producing harrowing footage of natural production that is managed and controlled by our current routines are ruining the habitats facing destruction beyond repair, the workers, we have little hope of reversing the planet as we know it. This is some- extinction of exotic wildlife and indeed the plastic statistics that are currently blighting our devastation of indigenous homelands because surroundings. Marxists should continue to lead thing the left should celebrate; forcing of global carelessness regarding single-use campaigns on this issue, publicly articulating climate change deniers to retreat into plastic and other products. This is undoubtedly that placing the burden of responsibility sectarian cluster groups that bear true, but a continuing view that we must squarely upon the shoulders of consumers little relevance or influence upon simply boycott plastic straws, cups and cutlery within the conditions of late capitalism is a and replace them with more environmental farce, and that we must challenge the per- society is a victory that should not be alternatives is simply a sticking plaster rather ceived untouchability of high-flying capitalist taken lightly and positively celebrated. than an antidote. oligarchs and collectively seize the means of However, we should also remain production to democratically control not just acutely aware that there is a need There is much to be said for purchasing a the production of plastic, but of all the basic to continually agitate and organise reusable coffee cup or a bamboo toothbrush needs and services that humanity requires. to negate an individual’s ‘plastic footprint,’ but towards the vanguard position on all unless it is linked to a wider consciousness The idea that individual reasoning should matters concerning climate change. about how it is actually produced in the first remain an integral foundation of all campaigns place we have little hope of solving the issue. against climate change also deflects attention Capitalism has obscured the debate, with Multi-million corporations of the cosmetic, away from the fact that our current surround- many prominent figures in media, employment pharmaceutical and food industries produce ings are a product of careless decisions on and electoral capacities attempting to reduce endless amounts of plastic packaging on the part of the ruling class, and not the wider our horizons to the level of the individual, an annual basis, incentivised by cheaply population at large. There is a huge amount of advocating personal responsibility and detail assembling products to maximise profits and truth in the claim that everyone has a duty to as the most effective solution to solve such perpetually push towards becoming the market provide an acceptable level of surroundings a crisis. Marxists should unapologetically leader within their sphere of influence. for future generations, but without examining combat this narrative, remaining insistent how society has managed to arrive at such that individual action must be linked to a More still, as society continues to succumb a sharp crossroads that threatens the entire wider movement that collectively tackles the to the influence of free market politics, in future of humanity would be a grave mistake structure and overarching framework of the which production falls within the jaws of the that cannot negate the potential of further capitalist mode of production itself in the battle anarchic world market and produced for the environmental errors in the future. to freeze or reverse the terrifying prospect that sake of financial reward rather than human now faces humanity. need, an endless stream of single use plastic The planet is in a state of crisis because the

10 anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE A TRULY GREEN MOVEMENT IS THE DEEPEST SHADE OF RED By David Swanson

production of true sustainability is not profita- have to shoulder the responsibility or the blame production of weapons that forms an ugly side ble; the big businesses that monopolise energy for the poor decisions of those who privately effect of the competitive nature of material facilities, fuel consumption and transport hoard the means of production, and that an distribution is not only inherently wasteful services knowingly produce and encourage the organised assault of labour can overhaul the and rooted in nationalist doctrine, but their use of fossil fuels that are continually pushing system that is destroying the planet, subse- incessant use is creating a planet earth that is the world’s temperature to record heights quently allowing workers to plan sustainable quite simply sweating its way to oblivion. for the simple reason that a saturated world energy programs that will place the use of fossil market and crisis-ridden global economy will fuels into the dustbin of forgotten history. The environmental aspects of this are already financially reward them for doing so. affecting social conditions; unusual weather It is also extremely clear that the ongoing social patterns that are leading to unexplained The subsequent profit that is literally killing the pattern that divides the international working forest fires and tsunamis across the globe are planet sits idly in off-shore bank accounts and class along arbitrary nationalist lines is another affecting the lives and routines of millions, and lucrative hedge funds until such time that a extremely dangerous factor in a world hurtling subsequently creating an insular environment further investment opportunity arises, creating towards climate disaster. that heightens the role of national immigration a hamster wheel of arbitrary production that programs that refuse to cooperate with those is slowly strangling humanity and suffocating Creating an individualised approach that outside their lines of division. It is more our natural surroundings. Only one hundred prioritises strengthening the nation state over profitable to criminalise, jail and deport those companies are responsible for over 70% of the humanity’s future is not only holding back our who are affected by climate disaster in our world’s greenhouse emissions since the early cooperative potential, but hindering all aspects current conditions, with financial rewards and 1970’s, each vying competitively with each of our existence to the direct detriment of our profitable bonuses the direct result of outsourc- other to produce energy supplies for the sake environmental surroundings. As much as the ing and privatising national immigration offices of financially rewarding a select few bosses, market economy of late capitalism continues to that are steeped in the very racism and division bankers and big businessmen. It is time to become more globalised in modern times, the that capitalism thrives upon. take the money out of their hands and pockets, absence of a truly binding international code of and instead of trying to encourage capitalists conduct has encouraged state governments and If the ongoing pull of nationalism propped up by to invest in new, green technology and energy their national advisors to continually engage capitalism continues to divide humanity amidst emission programs that go against their own in an ongoing feud for material resources and a climate crisis, the horrific consequences interests, all major companies and banks the protection of national tariffs, leading to the will include not only an ongoing epidemic of should be immediately nationalised and placed obscure situation that both production and trade working class murder as the international under democratic workers’ control, as part of a remain uncontrolled whilst a lack of actual capitalist class continually uses the lure of flags wider strategy to not only tackle the erroneous planning of resources leads the planet into in their lust to war for resources, but divide decisions that are harming the planet, but to endless wars of competition between states humanity to such an extent that we will literally uproot the conditions of the capitalist mode of and their governments. prefer to watch our international brethren burn production itself. and drown into extinction rather than intervene This ironic but inevitable repercussion of the appropriately. As Marxists, we must vocifer- Marxists should remain unambiguously clear capitalist mode of production is inflicting ously call for an end to the endless nationalist that the international working class should not continual damage to the planet; the arbitrary rhetoric that is dividing the…

anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 11

…human race, opposing all forms As international green parties of capitalist war that send the continue to stubbornly propose international working class to ineffectively reformist, electoral fight for causes that are not their strategies that promote individual own, whilst organising towards reasoning as the groundwork to a socialist revolution in national tackle climate change, Marxists states that can be exported at the must be resolutely determined first opportunity to strengthen the in the challenge to call out their international fight for socialism careerist opportunism. We must and topple the system that is link the overall fight against sending the planet to an early climate change with the ongoing grave. campaign to collectively liberate the international working class; It is also abundantly clear that we the class antagonisms that are should warn against those who so visibly exposed in the attempt advocate individualist solutions to to preserve the capitalist mode climate change in the sphere of of production by reformist and electoral politics. The mainstream neo-liberal advocates must green movement fails because be ruthlessly challenged and it continues to deny that climate expropriated, creating space for change is a collective, and not only socialism to blossom, ultimately class issue that requires but the shoots of natural life that a radical overhaul of our current will save the planet from total surroundings to halt its despotic destruction. influence. Electoral representatives of international Green Parties In short, the international working continue to peddle a dangerous class must seize the means of line that insists that the continuing production to truly guarantee growth of Gross Domestic Product the ongoing preservation and (GDP) statistics under a Keynesian survival of our planet. Linking style economic approach is the climate change to a campaign that most effective way of halting endorses the logic of individual climate change, and ultimately reasoning over collective action reform society as a result. is simply not enough to halt its despotic consequences, and This is a dangerous message; the Marxists should remain resolutely idea that state governments should determined to agitate and organise intervene more authoritatively in pursuit of linking climate change in the management of market to anti-capitalist action, positively production, redirecting capitalist reinforcing that the protection of profits towards the public purse our natural surroundings is just as and subsequently reforming the much a class issue as any other. system rather than overthrowing it entirely, is a strategy that will only No strategy that links halting the delay the worst aspects of climate planet’s demise to the capitalist disaster rather than eradicate mode of production can be their impending prominence. successful; combatting climate The natural world continues to change requires a green move- suffer because of unchecked ment that is the deepest shade GDP growth and a succumbing to of red, and we ultimately need to market dominance, and the idea implement lasting international that capitalists are interested in socialism to truly save the planet anything but profitable markets is from total destruction. pie in the sky. With or without state intervention, big businessmen It is time for workers everywhere under the capitalist mode of to unite and fight towards these production will continue to conditions, breaking national lines destroy the world’s natural habits to create a sense of solidarity that act as sustainable cooling that will truly link climate change mechanisms in the pursuit of protests to their rightful place profitable opportunities, and a of development at the heart of strategy that encourages society production. to cross an electoral box in favour of reformism is simply treating We need system change, not workers as individualised voting climate change – and the planet’s opportunities to effectively and future lies in the collective hands insidiously preserve the capitalist of the international communist system that destroys the planet on movement. • a daily basis.

14 anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 The Craigavon 2 A Modern Day Miscarriage of Justice By John-Paul Wootton

n 2009 the state had some reason to sentenced to life in prison. Frankly we didn’t we had lost nonetheless. worry. Failure of the Stormont regime stand a chance. But we weren’t prepared to give up. To make matters worse, the prosecutors put to deliver many of the desires of the I forward an argument to extend the minimum ‘Nationalist’ community was feeding Immediately we applied to appeal against our amount of time I would have to spend in prison. into a seemingly resurgent armed conviction. It was some time though before it The judges accepted and increased this from Republicanism. A number of ‘suc- would get to court. Originally we were sched- 14 to 18 years. I would now have to spend more cessful’ attacks by various Republican uled to appear in court in April 2013. However, time in prison that I had been alive at the time just before it could go ahead, the PSNI arrested of my arrest. organisations, was exposing a fragile a key defence witness. Of course, there were political process to the world. In order no charges and the man was released. But that So I was returned to my prison cell. I was not to appear on top of things, the state wasn’t the point. Their intent was intimidation beaten however. We began preparing for the had to act. So, arrests were made and and sabotage. And so the appeal was deferred next stage of our fight. This was the Supreme until the states actions would be examined. It Court. Unfortunately, they didn’t even entertain people were put before courts - many was rescheduled for September 2013. us and rejected our application, despite the fact on the flimsiest of grounds. that our application had the support of the Court September came, the appeal opened and the of Appeal! Fast forward to almost three years and I hearings went ahead. The court was packed found myself on trial for the shooting dead of with people offering their support and acting And so, again we moved on. This time it was Steven Carroll, a member of the PSNI, by the as observers. The hearings went well from our the Criminal Case Review Commission, who are Continuity IRA. By this stage it had already been perspective. The states case was torn to shreds a state body who investigate miscarriages of determined that I would be afforded the normal and the prosecution made some dramatic justice and can refer cases back to the courts. judicial process. Instead of a trial by jury, a concessions. They accepted they could not At present we are waiting on their report. single judge would decide my fate. Instead of prove beyond reasonable doubt that I removed being able to cross-examine witnesses, many either a weapon or people from the scene and The difficulty is that once a trial has happened, were given anonymity, screened from the court it had already been accepted previously that things are no longer about whether the correct and could only be asked certain questions. And, I was not alleged to be the gunman. And so, people were imprisoned. It is simply about legal instead of disclosing evidence the states own you might ask, what role did I play? The state technicalities. It doesn’t matter about injustice lawyers had assessed as helping the defence, couldn’t answer this and simply argued that I as long as it occurred in a legal way. what are known as Public Interest Immunity must have done something. Certificates were used to keep it secret. We find ourselves in a situation where, even We emerged from the appeal positive and though many people can see and indeed It is worth noting how the context had optimistic. All who had observed agreed that we acknowledge the unfairness of what’s developed at the time. The state was still had won and the states case couldn’t stand. We happened, there is no process to correct it on seeking victories against its opponents and simply had to wait as the judge had reserved that basis. The state requires that we provide my trial took place in the wake of two other judgement. something new. high-profile cases which, from the states perspective, had ended as failures. Two UVF May 2014 came and the date was set for us And so we struggle on. Previous miscarriages of Supergrasses had been exposed as liars and a to go back to court to find out our fate. There justice have shown that with enough pressure large number of men walked free from court. were high expectations from many quarters, on those in power, the legal difficulties can be Just before this a high-profile Republican was although I was upbeat, I knew the system and overcome. If it suits, the state will release me. acquitted of involvement in a gun attack that so made sure I stayed realistic. And so when The challenge is the build public concern about killed two British soldiers. The pressure was on: the judges declared that our convictions were the case and utilise people power to demand the state needed a win. to be upheld, a lot of people were shocked. I justice. personally was more angry than shocked. It And so, with all this stacked against us, my was like scoring 4 goals at a football match, This is what we will do. • co-accused and I were duly convicted and conceding none but being told afterwards that

anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 15 JULY - SEPTEMBER 1969 The fifth in our series of ‘50’, chronicling his- tory from five decades ago. This issue deals with the period of July to September 1969, and continues coverage of the mounting conflict in Ireland, the fight for civil rights in the US and topics relevant to international Socialism, in- cluding the imperialist intervention in Vietnam.

14th July - First Death of the The RUC, using armoured cars Ireland riots of August 1969 – Irish musicians came to Derry Conflict: Francis McCloskey and water cannons, invaded in response to events in Derry, to take part, including The (aged 67), a Catholic civilian, the Bogside, in an attempt to nationalists and Republicans Dubliners. died one day after being hit end the rioting. The RUC were held protests throughout the on the head with a baton by closely followed and supported North. In Belfast, loyalists 1st September - King Idris of an officer of the Royal Ulster by a loyalist crowd. The responded by attacking Libya is in Turkey for medical Constabulary (RUC) during residents of the Bogside forced nationalist districts. Rioting treatment. Military officers street disturbances in Dungiv- the police and the loyalists also erupted in Newry, Armagh, led by Captain Muammar en, County Derry. back out of the area. The RUC Crossmaglen, Dungannon, al-Gaddafi take power. Gaddafi used CS gas to again enter the Coalisland and Dungiven. Six is a socialist and will proclaim 17th July - Samuel Devenny Bogside area. The battle lasted Catholics and two Protestants Libya to be ruled by the people. (42) died as a result of injuries for two days and led to the were shot dead and at least he received when he was se- erection of barricades with the 133 were treated for gunshot 2nd September - The president verely beaten by RUC officers area inside being called ‘Free wounds. Scores of houses of the Democratic Republic of using batons. The attack took Derry’. and businesses were burnt Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, dies place in Devenny’s home in out, most of them owned William Street, Bogside, Derry, 14th August - British Army by Catholics. Thousands of 8th September - Members of Troops Deployed – Beginning families, mostly Catholics, the Stormont Administration 17th July - The ‘New Left and of Operation Banner: After were forced to flee their homes held a meeting with the Extremist Movements’ from two days of continuous battle, and refugee camps were set N.I Committee of the Irish the FBI surfaced, revealing and with the Royal Ulster up in the South Congress of Trade Unions at Reagan’s plans to repress the Constabulary (RUC) exhausted, Stormont. A joint statement militant student activism on the Stormont government 17th August – members of the was issued following the California’s campuses through asked the British government Garda Síochána clashed with meeting – which partially ‘psychological warfare’. for permission to allow British protesters on O’Connell Street, called for the dismantling of troops to be deployed on the Dublin, as a march in solidarity barricades and compliance 1st August - A huge protest streets of Northern Ireland. with those attacked in the with the security forces rally over events in the North Late in the afternoon troops North headed for the British of Ireland was held outside the entered the centre of Derry. embassy 9th September - ‘Peace Line’ General Post Office, Dublin. The Constructed: Chichester-Clark, crowd demanded that the Irish John Gallagher, a Catholic 19th August - Representatives Prime Minister of the Stormont Army cross the border. civilian, was shot dead by the of the British and Unionist administration, announced Ulster Special Constabulary governments held a meeting that the British Army would 5th August - The Ulster (‘B-Specials’) during street in London lasting two days. A erect a temporary ‘peace-line’ Volunteer Force (UVF) planted disturbances on the Cathedral Communique and Declaration between Catholic and Protes- a bomb which damaged the Road in Armagh. was issued at the end of the tant areas of Belfast to try to Radio Telefis Éireann (RTÉ) first day. The declaration prevent rioting. This segrega- headquarters in Donnybrook. In Belfast vicious sectarian affirmed that there would be tion exists today. This was the first bomb attack riots erupted and continued the no change in the constitutional by the UVF in the south of following day. In Divis Street status of the occupied six 11th September - President Ireland and marked the start the RUC fired a number of counties without the consent of Nixon wants to encourage the of a bombing campaign by shots, from a heavy Browning Stormont. North Vietnamese to settle the loyalist paramilitaries. machine-gun mounted on an war to his liking. He resumes armoured car, into the Divis 30th August - A two-day ‘Liber- bombing in North Vietnam 12th August - The Battle of Flats and Towers. One of the ation Fleadh’ ceol was held in the Bogside: As the annual shots killed a young Catholic ‘Free Derry’. It was organised 24th September - Known for Apprentice Boys parade passed boy while he lay in bed. by Eamon McCann and Mary their anti-Vietnam War pro- close to the Bogside area of Holland and was held on the tests, the trial of ‘The Chicago Derry serious rioting erupted. 14th–17th August - Northern weekend of the 30th and 31st Eight’ begins. August 1969. Many well known

16 anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 “The rich will always belong to the poor” ~ Henry Joe McCracken

“A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, cour- teous, restrained and magnanimous. “Feminism for decades has been A revolution is an insurrection, an a feminist of the Hillary Clinton’s act of violence by which one class and the Sheryl Sandbergs, which is overthrows another.” basically breaking he glass ceiling ~ Mao Tse-tung while the vast majority of women are in the basement cleaning up the Imperialism is a system of exploita- glass” tion that occurs not only in the ~ Tithi Bhattacharya brutal form of those who come with guns to conquer territory. Imperi- “In bourgeois society, living labour alism often occurs in more subtle is but a means to increase accumu- forms, a loan, food aid, blackmail. lated labour. In Communist society, We are fighting this system that accumulated labour is but a means allows a handful of men on Earth to to widen, to enrich, to promote the rule all of humanity existence of the labourer” ~ Thomas Sankara ~ Marx & Engels

“I want to burden the conscience “It is the oppressor that pushes the of the affluent with all the suffering oppressed until he has no choice and all the hidden, bitter tears” but to fight” ~ Rosa Luxemburg ~ Fidel Castro

“Capitalism has outlived its “You have to act as if it were possi- usefulness. It has brought about a ble to radically transform the world system that takes necessities from and you have to do it all the time” the masses to give luxuries to the ~ Angela Davis classes” ~ Martin Luther King Jr “the standard technique of priva- tisation: defund, make sure things

NOTES FOR REVOLUTIONARIES NOTES “We have not come to do the work don’t work, people get angry, you of political parties, but we have hand it over to private capital” come here in the cause of labour” ~ Noam Chomsky ~ Eleanor Marx

“In today’s world no one is innocent, no one a neutral. A man is either with the oppressed or he is with the oppressors. He who takes no interest in politics gives his blessing to the prevailing order, that of the ruling classes and exploiting forces.” ~ George Habash

“What is fascism but colonialism at the very heart of traditionally colonialist countries” ~ Frantz Fanon

anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 17 THE HUNGERSTRIKES PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN HISTORY By Pádraic Mac Coitir

rowing up my parents encouraged me to read books back to the IRA and they maintained regular contact. The last time they and when I was about 9 or 10 I joined the local library would have met was 1940 shortly before my father’s capture in South Armagh. McCaughey himself was captured in 1941 after the informer, in Andersonstown. Some of the books that were in the G Stephen Hayes, escaped from the IRA and ran to a local garda station house didn’t excite me although I had a bit of an interest in in Ballsbridge Dublin. Hayes was the Chief-of Staff of the IRA but some history books. I was always fascinated by hunger strikes of his comrades suspected him of being an informer and they arrested and little did I know that when I got older I would get to him. After a number of weeks he escaped and when the special branch, know some men who would die on hunger strike in 1981. known as the ‘Broy Harriers’, went to the house a gun battle ensued and a number of men were shot and captured. They appeared in front

of a military tribunal and were sentenced to life imprisonment. Whilst My father, Pat McCotter, didn’t speak a lot about his time in prison but in Portlaoise they refused to do prison work or wear a uniform so they I remember him telling me about the 45 days he was on hunger strike embarked on a blanket protest. McCaughey went on hunger and thirst in Crumlin Road gaol, Belfast. Hunger strikes had been a weapon of strike and died in May 1946 after 23 days. My father told me morale in resistance used by Irish republican prisoners in previous campaigns as Crumlin Road gaol was as low as it had been when Tom Williams was they fought for political status. The British always tried to criminalise executed in September 1942. Others who died in the 1940s were Tony our struggle and when men and women found themselves imprisoned Darcy and Jack McNeela. different forms of protest took place - either by refusing to do prison work or wear prison clothes. The first prisoner to pay the ultimate price As I got older I went to many protests, some of which were held in was Thomas Ashe who died after being force-fed in September 1917. His support of hunger strikers here and in England. One such protest that had funeral in Dublin was the biggest seen since that of O’Donovan Rossa in a profound effect on me was in Andersonstown and some people on the August 1915 and it was a turning point in mobilising the Irish Volunteers platform were doing a reenactment of force feeding. This was in response and more importantly the IRB who were still intent on continuing the to prisoners being force-fed when they were on hunger strike demanding struggle to rid Ireland of the British empire. they be transferred to prisons in Ireland. One of those prisoners, Michael

Gaughan, died in March 1974 in Parkhurst prison. His comrade and fellow In the 1920s more men were to die on hunger strike, some of whom Mayo man Frank Stagg died in Wakefield gaol in February 1976. Later died whilst imprisoned by the Free Staters. ( Michael Fitzgerald, Terence that year I was imprisoned in Crumlin Road and it was there I met Bobby McSwiney, Joseph Murphy, Joe Witty, Dennis Barry, Andy O’Sullivan.) Sands, Raymond McCreesh and Joe McDonnell. The following year we

ended up on the blanket protest and we saw each other every Sunday My father was a comrade of Seán McCaughey having been imprisoned at mass. Like other generations of political prisoners we were on protest with him in Arbor Hill prison in Dublin. After their release they reported because we were never going to accept being treated as criminals.

18 anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 THE HUNGERSTRIKES PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN HISTORY By Pádraic Mac Coitir

Conditions were very bad and they were to get worse when we embarked on a no-wash protest. There was no end in sight and it was inevitable the next step would be a hunger strike.

Shortly before my release in July 1979 we were asked by the camp staff to discuss our next move. It was very difficult for me to give my opinion because I knew I would be due for release before any decision taken by the men would be enacted. And therefore I did not take part in the decision to go on hunger strike because I knew I wouldn’t be there. A LETTER TO THE 22

When I was out a hunger strike began in October 1980. I knew some of the You have not gone away. You are in the hearts men on it and whenever I attended protests I was asked to speak publicly and on the lips of your people. but I was reluctant to do so as I didn’t wish to draw attention to myself. The old speak of you with knowing tongue The middle That hunger strike ended after 53 days and when news came through we aged, as those who walked beside you. were ecstatic because we believed a resolution to the protest had been The young men and women with a passion not unlike your own. reached. However, within days we were told the British government had Your names can be heard on the wind taken from the mouths reneged on an agreement. of men who tend their flocks on Slieve Gullion, Cnoc Phádraig, Glenshane. The following March Bobby Sands embarked on another hunger strike They echo in the small graveyards in and unfortunately he died on May 5th. Another nine were to die, Francis Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo, Tyrone, Antrim, Derry and Armagh. Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O’Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, They are heard among your people at the mass gate on Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Tom McIlwee and Micky Devine, in the Sunday, in the crowd at the hurling game, around the hearth when H-Blocks. Much has been written about those turbulent days and how the bottle is cracked and song is sung. Your image can be seen much they have impacted on the struggle. Without a doubt it was one on the faces of happy smiling children for whose freedom you gave of the most pivotal events in our long history of struggle against British your all. imperialism. It led to many people getting involved in politics and I would You are in our prayers, you have not gone away, you never will. argue it changed the course of history. Republicanism was at its strongest in generations and in my opinion it was the closest we got to achieving a MISE LE MEAS, Socialist Republic. • Colum Mac Giolla Bhéin, 2006

anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 19 ABSTENTIONISM The Lifeblood of Irish Republicanism By Peter A Rogers

he age-old argument about abstentionism, that people become ‘delusional’ enough to believe that somehow has split the Republican Movement so many there is an avenue to further the Republican objective of ending partition and gaining total independence from Britain through times over the past 100 years, has again raised T entering these parliaments, but as Liam Mellows stated, “you its ugly head in discussions between Republican will never get the Republic through a shackled Free State”. activists. The policy of not partaking in the two subservient parliaments on this island, Stormont He was absolutely correct because the two self-preservation in Belfast (House of Commons of Northern Ireland) systems on this island will go to any lengths to maintain themselves no matter what. The unfortunate facts are, and Leinster House in Dublin (House of Commons of all those who become emersed into that same constitu- Southern Ireland) that were set up by the British Act tional system, even those who went in with the best of of Parliament, The Government of Ireland Act 1920, intentions, become poisoned with the self-preservation has been the policy of faithful Irish Republicans mentality and ultimately become enemies of the true all-Ireland Republic proclaimed in 1916. since the Act was unveiled. After the border campaign of 1956/62, the rot set in In fact, the policy has been in place a lot longer than that, it has again with the same question being asked within been there since the commitment was given by Sinn Féin to the the ranks of the Republican Movement - should Irish electorate not to enter Westminster if elected during the the IRA drop its policy of abstaining from entering all-Ireland General Election of December 1918. As we all know, the two parliaments? This we know ended in the elected Sinn Féin MP’s of 1918 chose instead to set up their yet another split between the Officials and the own Irish National Parliament at a sitting in the Mansion House, Provisionals in 1970. Dublin, on the 21st January 1919. Again, some very politically astute and The Sinn Féin MP’s also invited all other elected Irish MP’s to dedicated individuals within the IRA join with them in the new National Parliament, but unfortunately, leadership were to take the leap into the none took up the invitation. Things may well have turned out fairyland of constitutionalism, somehow differently if they had. thinking it would help to end the British presence. In fact, they were prepared Over the past 100 years, this argument over abstentionism to relinquish their “right of the legit- has blighted the Republican Movement, becoming like a imacy of The Republic” in doing so. vicious disease reoccurring to ravage the Movement almost What on earth were they thinking every decade since. The disease began with the first split after what had gone before? within Republican Movement over the signing of the so-called Anglo-Irish Treaty and the establishment of the new 26-County Over the next two decades, Free State. Following the defeat of the anti-Treaty forces in the the Officials also became war in defence of the Republic (civil war), the disease continued ravaged by splits which to fester and cause division. Some within the anti-Treaty Sinn ultimately progressed them Féin leadership, led by Eamon de Valera, began rethinking their to irrelevancy within the position culminating in a second split within a few years with political systems both the formation of Fianna Fáil in 1926. north and south.

This party broke ranks with their Sinn Féin abstentionist past History has proven to and entered Leinster House, eventually becoming the largest all, except the wilfully political party in the 26 Counties for decades. Unfortunately, just blind, that for any like their predecessors in government, Cumann na nGaedheal, Republican to enter Fianna Fáil soon became emersed in the “self-preservation into the poisonous system” of the 26 County Free State and soon were executing “self-preserva- former IRA comrades for opposing the continued British tion system” of occupation of our country. constitutional politics within Hoping for the same type of political success in the Free State, a partitioned the former Chief of Staff of the IRA, Sean McBride, formed an- Ireland, the other political party, Clann na Poblachta, to embark on the same advance- political direction, taking their seats in Leinster House during ment is the 1950s. Initially, they too had some political success, getting fatal. enough seats to go into a coalition government with Fine Gael, but their political success was short-lived and eventually, within a decade they became defunct. It seems that some really good 20 Since the last split in 1986 when the Provisionals broke away and decided to enter Stormont and Leinster House, we have seen them have some elec- toral success both north and south of the border, but nothing to the extent they had envisaged, and certainly not as much as they promised their blind supporters. Just like in times gone by whenever former Republicans enter the constitutional path and initially make some electoral gains, we also see in parallel the decline in support for the loyal Republican groupings like Republican Sinn Féin and the 32-County Sovereignty Movement, but this is only a temporary phenomenon. The Provisionals may even make some further electoral gains at some point in the future but they will never deliver on the all-Ireland Republic. They will not even come close as the “self-preservation system” they are now locked into, and especially with the Good Friday Agreement not permitting it anyway. Eventually, the Provisionals will play themselves out within the constitutional system and progress themselves into political insignificance like all the others.

With a new resurgence in the same failed argument, the pattern has always been the same. This argument pops up every time Republicanism has had a major setback but Republicans must be steadfast in their position, because, the “self-preservation system” will falter at some point in the future. Republicans’ must be ready, and what’s most important we must ready to play a leading role in guiding our people to freedom. Those who now think there is some advancement of “the cause” by entering these two poisonous hell-holes should reflect on where they are most likely to end up if they go down that God forsaken road. When we look at Irish Republican revolutionary politics over the past 100 years, it is plain to see what has preserved Irish Republicanism over that period - its belief in reinstating the true all-Ireland Republic has been constant, its opposition to the British occupation of our country has also been constant, never wavering. Since the partition of Ireland in 1922 only abstentionist Republicans have continued to resist the British presence in Ireland, while all the rest have capitulated and accepted it. In fact, those who have capitulated have all turned their wrath on the true Republican. This is why abstaining from these two subservient parliaments is so important to the lifeblood of Irish Republicanism. As Ruairí Ó Brádaigh stated, “entering Leinster House is not a revolutionary act”, and it never will be.

The British presence in Ireland must continue to be opposed if Ireland is ever to regain its full independence, as, in the past, only abstentionist revolutionary Irish Republican activists will ever have the mentality and courage to do so. Promoters of the argument to drop the policy of abstentionism are saying that the policy is now out-dated and has outlived its usefulness in progressing Irish Republicanism, but they are totally missing the point. The constitutional road can never deliver on the all-Ireland Republic. This is because both the failed States on this island were set up by the British government to exist in total defiance of the true all-Ireland Republic, so to achieve the 32-County Republic by these means is absolutely impossible. Resistance to British rule in Ireland can never be outdated, it must continue through the safeguard of the policy of abstentionism, which defines our loyalty to the reestablishment of the all-Ireland Republic, as declared in 1916 and ratified by the First Dáil Éireann. •

21 ELECTORALISM ITS GROWTH AND ITS LIMITATIONS By Breandán Ó Conchubhair wenty one years after the signing armed campaigns in increasingly unsuitable of the Good Friday agreement and conditions, unquestionably electoral politics have come to play a large role in the broader the end of the IRA’s armed cam- T republican movement since the 1990s . paign with the 1997 ceasefire marked To be clear I am not saying that any republi- a turning point for all republican can group has become an entirely electoral groups as the political reality in the movement, but from Sinn Fein’s emergence north was changed dramatically. electorally north and south(minor setbacks notwithstanding) to non Good Friday agreement republicans continuing to stand for council With electoral politics taking on a elections it is undeniable that electoral politics more central role especially for are more prominent today than at other phases mainstream republicans, an of the struggle. examination of the limitations of focusing on electoral Participation in elections has proven to be a politics is worthwhile worthwhile strategy for republicans since the as the limits of early 80s and the elections of Bobby Sands and electoralism have Kieran Doherty while on hunger strike. Since long been known then republicans have used elections as part of to republicans. the broader struggle. However, the end of the While some IRA’s armed campaign and the emergence of groups have power sharing has meant that in the absence attempted of armed resistance electoral politics risks to con- becoming an almost singular focus. tinue I recognise that many republicans oppose the Good Friday agreement, however the impact of the end of the armed campaign on the political landscape in which republicans operate is undeniable regardless of their views on the Good Friday Agreement. The agreed aim of all republicans regardless of their position of power sharing and the Good Friday Agreement, a 32 county socialist republic is not something which can be delivered through the ballot box alone, nor has any republican ever believed that it can be. Republi- cans have always been well aware that the what is needed to create a socialist republic is not only a political but also eco- nomic and social revolution.

While the current conditions in the north mean that an armed campaign on the scale of the 70s, 80s, and 90s no longer exists, and the electoral strategy of Sinn Féin has undoubtedly advanced the prospect of a united Ireland, although at a slower pace than any republican would like. The possibility of electoral politics to deliver the political revolution required for a united Ireland is a real one, however the question remains how to deliver the economic and social revolutions also required. To do so republicans need to be actively organising within trade unions and community groups, and this activity ought to be given the munes same priority as any electoral strategy. This is in not to say that republicans should disregard Bolivarian electoralism for some moralistic concern with revolution purity, no it is to recognise the totality of the show such transformation needed to create a 32 county socio economic socialist republic. transformation can prove much more In Ireland the political movement towards difficult than political a united Ireland has increased with wider revolution but a political discussions on a united Ireland beginning to strategy which ignores take place, and while there is still much more these communal struggles work to be done to achieve this the discourse cannot bring about full econom- has indelibly shifted in favour of republicans. ic and social transformation. While at the same time the economic situation has regressed with attacks on the welfare state The citizen army played a central role and trade unions, meaning that paradoxically in the 1916 rising, and organised labour while a united Ireland is on the horizon, the shaped the democratic programme of concept of a socialist state is not. the first Dáil, were key components of the success of republican movement in the war Connolly’s summarised this need when he said of independence. Similarly the emergence of “If you remove the English Army tomorrow and trade unionists for a united Ireland ensures that hoist the green flag over Dublin Castle., unless republican aspirations for a socialist republic ne- you set about the organization of the Socialist are not reduced to simply accepting a united olib- Republic your efforts will be in vain.” Here I Ireland, while also ensure that trade unions eral- suggest that as republicans we examine just embrace their role in the republican movement ism, and what this organization of a socialist republic and no longer shy away from the national the lack of would look like in an Ireland where economic question as they have done since partition. As solidarity that neoliberalism and anglophone cultural we have Seen Sinn Fein in the Dáil have helped this creates. dominance are so deeply embedded north and ensure import pieces of legislation for the trade As I have said south. union movement became law and republicans the struggle for a have historically supported strike actions by 32 county socialist The question for republicans then becomes workers. This mutually beneficial relationship republic is one that how to avoid a united Ireland simply becoming must be strengthened through active coopera- requires transformations the 26 counties writ large. Sinn Fein vision for tion if a socialist republic is to become a reality. beyond what can be a united Ireland is a new republic, however Socialist theorists such as Lenin to Fanon have achieved electorally, but like- the systematic changes in sectors such as highlighted the role of imperialism in capital- wise a revolution cannot happen healthcare, education, and the economy require ism, as such the need to ‘decolonise our minds’ without republicans wielding organisation at all levels and building robust exists in Ireland as much as any other colony. political power. In the current condi- movements that are capable of transforming Máirtín Ó Cadhain has expressed this concept tions republicans need to continue to be society but also defending any revolutionary in an Irish context, he like many earlier repub- active in advancing political economic and gains from inevitable attacks by counter licans was well aware of the need for Irish social demands through ensuring as far as revolutionaries. culture to be protected and promoted as part possible the organisation of movements at the of the fight against British imperialism. Beyond grassroots level that are capable of delivering This isn’t an easy question to answer, and the need to fully decolonise Irish society, strong on these demands. • I don’t claim to have such an answer but a cultural organisations help ensure more or- discussion this topic is needed. International ganised communities . Which are needed if we examples such as the experiences of the com- are to counter the pervasive individualism of 23 arne is a seaport town on the coast of County Nearly 4000 people have been detained in Larne House STHF Antrim. It is for this L since it opened, many are taken NO reason, perhaps, that in to immigration detention centres 2011 it was chosen as the in Britain and held for weeks or site for the only immigra- months before being returned tion detention centre in the to the north of Ireland. People are detained in Larne House HOPE six counties of the north STHF most often when travelling of Ireland. Situated at the between Dublin and Belfast back of Larne PSNI station, being unaware that they have on a street ironically crossed a border. Racial profiling ON is a tactic used by both the PSNI named ‘Hope Street’, is and Gardaí to identify people the refurbished police potentially liable for detention custody suite called Larne travelling on public transport. ‘HOPE House Short-Term Holding People are also detained in bus Facility (STHF). The facility stations, airports, ports, and even on the street using the can hold up to 21 male same tactics. and female detainees for STREET’ a maximum of seven days Shamefully, some people before they are either who are detained in Larne By Aylisha Hogan are deported. However, most released or transferred to people who pass through Larne an immigration detention House are eventually released. centre in Britain. Imprisoned indefinitely without having committed a crime, held People held in immigration without charge with no prospect detention are subject to of a trial, only to be released as immigration control and are held if nothing had happened. What in custody whilst they wait for was the point of this ordeal? permission to enter the country People who are imprisoned or are removed. Immigration is suffer mental ill-health whilst said to be administrative, not a they are in detention and also criminal procedure but detention experience depression, and centres are staffed by guards, post-traumatic stress disorder movement and access is re- after they are released. Migrants stricted, strict rules are enforced already suffer higher levels of and people held in centres are mental ill-health and it is clear referred to as ‘detainees’. There that immigration detention only are no time limits on how long serves to cause them further someone can be detained – even distress. custodial sentences have an end date. Immigration detention must be abolished, it is an unnecessary Larne House STHF has been run and cruel practice run for profit on behalf of the British Home to serve only the interests of the Office by private multinational capitalist and fascist fortress corporations since it opened. EUrope. In a borderless world Between 2011 and 2018 by there would be no need for Tascor, and since 2018 by immigration detention centres. Mitie. Making a name for Even in a world where borders themselves as a cleaning exist there are alternatives, for company, Mitie now provides a example granting temporary range of outsourcing services visas or imposing reporting to government most notoriously requirements. But specifically immigration detention centres. in the context of the north of Mitie have been awarded a 10- Ireland, we must reject the exist- year contract worth £525million ence of Larne House and refuse to provide immigration services to participate in the British Gov- to the Home Office including ernment’s hostile environment deportation and detention regime. When demanding free facilities. Mitie are the largest movement of people throughout supplier of immigration services the island of Ireland, we must to the Home Office despite demand it for ALL people living having faced accusations of on the island. • cost-cutting and abuse.

24 anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST The ‘St Patricks Battalion’ & Anti-Imperialism By Christian Noakes

hile the dominant narrative of their ancestors, Irish Americans have been it means to be Irish American and trying to the “Irish experience” in the afforded what W.E.B. Du Bois called wages of reorganize our communities in a manner that whiteness - the largely symbolic power that both honors our ancestors and lends itself U.S. is often reduced to little W encourages consent of white segments of the to the continued struggle for human rights more than a fairytale of hard-working working-class and its participation in reinforc- throughout the world. immigrants grateful for a stake in the ing structural racism. In the England of his time, “land of opportunity”, the grim reality Marx observed a similar dynamic in which the As Republicans have known for generations, for Irish people in America was, for Irish were on the receiving end: the struggle for Irish self-determination is part of a bigger struggle against capitalism centuries, characterized by inequality, In relation to the Irish worker [the English and imperialism. Likewise, members of the exclusion, and exploitation. As was and worker] regards himself as a member of the diaspora shouldn’t just be vocal supporters ruling nation and consequently he becomes a of Irish independence but dedicated activists is the case with British oppression, tool of the English aristocrats and capitalists and organizers for the international struggle of the Irish often rebelled in response to against Ireland, thus strengthening their working and oppressed peoples. Irish Ameri- American cruelty. domination over himself…This antagonism is artificially kept alive and intensified by the cans in particular have a unique responsibil- press, the pulpit, the comic papers, in short, ity to oppose inequality along lines of class, St. Patrick’s Battalion, or San Patricios, was a by all the means at the disposal of the ruling ethnicity, place of origin, and religion due to our predominantly Irish unit that fought alongside classes. This antagonism is the secret of the position within the core of the global imperialist the Mexican Army in the Mexican-American impotence of the English working class, despite system. To combat dispossession, exploitation, War of 1846-1848. Many of the members had its organization. It is the secret by which the and oppression in the U.S. is to strike at the deserted the U.S. forces in part due to harsh capitalist class maintains its power. belly of the very beast that has fed for centuries treatment and discrimination at the hands on the bodies of colonized people. of Anglo-American “superiors.” These brave The same social relations play out in the U.S. soldiers were also drawn to the cause of the with many people that claim Irish heritage play- Promoting class consciousness and inter- Mexican people by the parallels between ing the part of the English (or in this case white) national solidarity within our families and British and U.S. imperialism. The San Patricios worker. Therefore, the reactionary tendencies communities is the task of revolutionary are a prime example not only of the rebellious among Irish Americans amount to buying in to segments of the diaspora. Following Connolly’s character of many oppressed Irish people in the whiteness at the cost of Irishness. Bernadette example, we should use Irish history and U.S. but of the capacity to stand in international Devlin McAliskey was well aware of this culture to encourage Irish Americans to join the solidarity against imperialism more broadly. betrayal when she compared Irish Americans socialist cause and to connect the Irish struggle to Orangemen. While there have always been to those of other colonized or oppressed As Tom Hayden points out in Irish on the Inside, those of us that saw the support of immigrants people. We cannot afford to sit back as people the erasure of this radical history has been and colonized people as essential to honoring around the world fight for their lives against the essential in assimilating Irish Americans into the struggles of our ancestors, there have been capitalist mammon on the verge of consuming the dominant Anglo culture and enlisting many too many Father Coughlins and [Paul] Ryans, the planet. • in the violent upkeep of racial inequality. By too few Haydens and Berrigans. To right this supporting the very system that oppressed wrong requires collectively reconsidering what anspréach Issue 5 July-September 2019 25