Left Tribune Spring 2007.Pdf
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2 The Left Tribune NEWS NEWS The Left Tribune 2 IUSY Adopt Coke Empowering Women to Choose: Labour Youth Pro-Choice Meeting Looks to the Future Jane Horgan-Jones ers followed by a question and answer ses- Boycott Campaign sion. Held concurrently, the workshops dealt Volume II, Issue 5 Over 70 pro choice activists from all political with the class analysis of the abortion issue, Dermot Looney International delegates backgrounds and none gathered on direct action and outreach campaigning. The February 2007 vote to support Boycott Saturday 27th January in the Central Hotel three workshops were facilitated by Aileen The International Union of Socialist Youth Killer Coke Campaign on Exchequer St. to discuss the Irish pro O’Connell (WSM), Aoife Cooke (RAG Left Tribune is the magazine of choice campaign and strategise for the Collective) and Ailbhe Smyth (WERRC, UCD), Labour Youth in Ireland. We operate (IUSY) has adopted a policy to support the boycott of Coca-Cola in a huge fillup for the future. The event was hosted by Labour with Ivana Bacik (Reid Professor of Law, TCD) on the basis of a sustainable and Youth and was designed to come up with acting as the overall chair. democratic socialist ethos. global campaign for human rights in Colombia. During the historic IUSY World practical, workable suggestions and initia- Following the conclusion of the tives that the left can unite around in order to three working groups, the meeting reassem- As such, Left Tribune is printed on Council, held in Cork from February 1st - 3rd, delegates approved the motion from further the campaign. bled in order to hear feedback and collate the paper which is 50% recycled and With this aspiration in mind, the suggestions from the groups into a coherent LY activists leaflet 50% from sustainable forests. If you Labour Youth, Ireland to lend their support to the growing campaign. day saw a programme of workshops and plan. In what was an extremely productive outside the GPO to are finished reading, we would ask advertise the event IUSY represents almost 150 facilitators, instead of the more common for- session, a number of action points were that you pass this issue on to some- individuals in maintaining and spreading the mat used by public meetings involving speak- decided upon that activists were delegated one else - or recycle it. youth sections of labour, socialist and social boycott. across the water for abortions. A further democratic parties all over the world and is Ivana Bacik to coordinate in the coming months. These date was also set for another planning meet- Speaking after the resolution was included a campaign targeting various All articles are copyleft - this means the largest youth political organisation in the passed, Labour Youth Chair Patrick Nulty addresses the ing to arrange these and other initiatives meeting “rogue crisis pregnancy agencies” which that we encourage the sharing of world. Founded 100 years ago, it held its said, “the resolution sends a clear message decided upon on the day, and over €200 first ever Irish-based event in the UCC cam- operate in Ireland and provide extremely raised in donations to get the ball rolling. these articles and anyone is free to to Coca-Cola that this campaign is going directive counselling, refusing to advise reproduce them. However we would pus in Cork with an active involvement by from strength to strength. Their crimes in The level of interest in pro choice many members of Labour Youth, Ireland. women of all the options available to them in issues evident in the numbers in attendance ask that in the interests of those who Colombia are indicative of the exploitation a crisis pregnancy situation. took their time to write and edit this Comrades from parties as diverse and aggression shown by multinational cor- shows that the lack of abortion facilities in as the Armenian Revolutionary Youth In addition, it was agreed that pro Ireland is an issue which needs to be publication, that you would contact us porations towards people in the developing choice groups on campuses across the at the details below to let us know if Federation, the Mexican Juventud world.” addressed, and that the political will is there Demócrata PRD, the Fatah Youth from country should be set up, and that links to address it. To get involved in the campaign you are doing so. “It is our duty to hold these compa- should be made with womens groups in the Palestine, the All Burma Students League nies to account and to campaign for justice and be added to the mailing list for details of and Australian Young Labour took part in UK who are interested in setting up “wel- future activities, email [email protected] or We welcome articles and comments and the rule of law. Their can be no hiding come committees” for women travelling from all readers to the event, themed “People in Movement.” place or excuses for companies who exploit, [email protected] [email protected] The Council was addressed by intimidate and degrade their employees in IUSY President Fikile Mbabula of the ANC any part of the world.” The opinions expressed in Left Youth League in South Africa, and for the Tribune are those of its contributors first time by IUSY Secretary General Yvonne Further info & contact details: Page 14 Labour Youth News Round-Up and are not necessarily the policies or O’Callaghan from Ireland. The World Council views of Labour Youth or the Labour dealt with issues such as the Middle East Conor Tannam Free the Miami 5 Labour Youth Says “Members peace process and global migration. Party. Labour Youth activsts are urged to Will Have Say” on Coalition The resolution on Coca-Cola was Contents sign a petition available at Labour Youth has countered proposed by Enda Duffy, the Irish Labour del- NEWS SECTION Boost for Same Sex Marriage www.labouryouth.ie in support of the ‘Miami recent press speculation regarding the egate, with the active support of our 5’ - Cuban prisoners who have been incarcer- Editorial Staff 1: IUSY Adopt Coca-Cola Boycott Campaign with Launch of party's coalition future, pointing out their Colombian comrades in the Joventud ated since 2001 in a U.S. jail. The men are 2: Pro-Choice Campaign Grows; opposition to any junior status in government Partido Liberal Colombiano (Liberal Party Labour Civil Unions Bill currently being held under false espionage Editor: Dermot Looney (LY Youth). News Round-Up as mandated by successive Youth The Labour Party has launched a charges. The 5 were falsely accused by the Communications Officer) The campaign to boycott Coca Conferences. LY noted that the party mem- 3-4: Michael D Higgins Interview bill that proposes equal rights for same sex U.S. government of committing espionage Cola began in Ireland in 2003 following a bership - as opposed to the leadership - 5: Branch Reports & Editorial couples. This bill is the first bill of its kind conspiracy against the United States, and Deputy Editor: Jane Horgan-Jones call from the Colombian trade union SINAL- would be making any decision once the elec- FEATURES since the inception of the state. If passed this other related charges. But they have argued TRAINAL, whose members were subject to tion results are known. Labour Youth has legislation will provide all the legal rights and in their defense that they were involved in News Editor: Conor Tannam a vicious anti-union campaign of intimidation, 6: Disability and Social Exclusion opposed the ‘Mullingar Accord’ strategy responsibilities that are afforded to couples monitoring the actions of Miami-based ter- torture and even murder by paramilitaries 7-8: Labour’s General Election since it was announced in 2005. that are married to same sex partners. rorist groups in order to prevent terrorist Design & Layout: Andrew Payne supported by the Coca-Cola bottling plants. Chair Patrick Nulty remarked, Candidates by Constituency: Part 2 Included in the bill are new regulations attacks on their country of Cuba. Students in UCD, NCAD and Trinity "Labour Youth has been consistent for some 9: Political Poker regarding adoption. The men never directed any Contributors: Louise Caffrey, Paul College have all voted to prohibit the sale of years now in saying that Ireland does not 10: In Theory: Neoliberalism and the If passed by the Oireachtas, this actions against the US government nor did Dillon, Joanne Doherty, Enda Duffy, Coca Cola in shops owned by their student merely need an alternative government - it piece of law would be a hugely progressive they possess any weapons whilst in the coun- Christina McSorley, Karen O’Connell, unions, leading to a massive worldwide cam- Dimunition of Democracy also needs to develop a realignment of poli- step towards realising full equality between try. Family members and supporters have Donal O Liathain paign which incorporates boycotts in over a 11-12: The Great Debate: Should tics.” Bearing in mind that LY has over 1000 same sex and opposite sex unions. Under the been denied access to the prisoners, who hundred universities. Trinity students will be members nationwide it is fallacy of the media Labour Co-operate More Closely constitution a referendum would be required are also refused letters of solidarity from With thanks to: Cian O'Callaghan and asked to renew this boycott for the third and political commentators that a Labour with Sinn Fein? to deliver full same sex marriage. The pro- writers such as Noam Chomsky and José the National Youth Executive time at the end of February and are confi- coalition with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil is the LEFT BACK posals have the support of Labour Youth, Saramago demanding that the men be dent that the boycott will again be upheld.