Comrades from all
over Ireland met in Belfast for a day of debate, ideological analysis
and emotive speeches on July 24th. The centenary year Ard Fheis began with Belfast
activist Liam Scullion reading the Irish Proclamation.
An in depth analysis of RNU’s ideology ‘Revolutionary Republicanism’ was then given by Ard Chomhairle member and Belfast activist Nathan Stuart. who detailed the benefits of Socialism and how through collective ownership of the means of production and through various other systemic changes, the inequalities of Capitalism can be abolished and in its stead, an economic system for the working class can be established. Nathan also detailed the reasoning behind Ireland's occupation and how methods have changed throughout the centuries yet the underlying objective remained. Imperialists seek to gain power and wealth through retaining Ireland as a colonial entity. Following this the importance of the dual nature of struggle for national liberation and the fight for Socialism was expressed, stating that both are inseparable from one another. Nathan went on to explain that our struggle is not merely national but extends across the globe and as such, progressive revolutionaries the world over require our support and solidarity.
A speech regarding the European Union was delivered by Ann McParland, criticising the body as a neoliberal institution which offers only poverty and misery to the Irish working class. Ann lambasted the body for its erosion of Irish sovereignty and democracy as well as the reformists that bemoan the return of a “hard-border” reminding those that entertain such reactionary thoughts that the border never went away and that Irish Republicans have yet to experience this normalised free movement zone as the security forces at the border as well as our own communities, do their utmost to demoralise, vilify and intimidate us. The speech went on to explain that the leaving of the so called United Kingdom from the EU should be seen as an opportunity for Irish Republicans to foster support for radical separatism within the Irish people across the island.
Dublin Ard Chomhairle member Tony Boland presented an emotive speech regarding the volunteers that fought at Easter week, lamenting the lack of awareness many of today’s Irish youth have of their sacrifice, ambitions and ideals. This being the result of a conscious attempt by the status quo to sever the Irish people from their historic tradition of radical resistance to occupation. Moor street was one example given of the Free State’s desire to airbrush the sacrifice of our patriot dead and a lack of focus of Irish republican history in our education systems was also criticised by Tony. A fitting speech for the centenary year Ard Fheis.
Finally Armagh activist and National Chairperson John Heaney spoke with optimism and called on all our comrades and supporters to redouble their efforts to expose the injustices of state’s that harass, intimidate and imprison our comrades. He spoke of the steadfastness of Cógus prisoners, of the difficulty of losing former National Chairperson Carl Reilly and Ard Chomhairle member Tony Taylor and the role we all have to play in opposing internment.
Through the many motions voted on throughout the day RNU reaffirmed their support for the LGBT community, their stance on abstentionism and their position that Irish sovereignty is inalienable and indefeasible, requiring no vote. Inadequate access to healthcare and the homelessness and suicide epidemic was particularly focused upon by RNU activists across the island and will be challenged vehemently in this coming year.
RNU’s Ard Fheis of 2016 has once more revealed that the membership of this movement hold true to the revolutionary ideals of Irish Republicanism, hold true to their progressive socio-economic position which makes this a party of and for the working class and hold true to those that languish in British jails for their political convictions. There are many challenges ahead, but through internal and external solidarity and faith in our political convictions and ideology, we will meet those challenges head on, growing more capable and confident as we do so.
An in depth analysis of RNU’s ideology ‘Revolutionary Republicanism’ was then given by Ard Chomhairle member and Belfast activist Nathan Stuart. who detailed the benefits of Socialism and how through collective ownership of the means of production and through various other systemic changes, the inequalities of Capitalism can be abolished and in its stead, an economic system for the working class can be established. Nathan also detailed the reasoning behind Ireland's occupation and how methods have changed throughout the centuries yet the underlying objective remained. Imperialists seek to gain power and wealth through retaining Ireland as a colonial entity. Following this the importance of the dual nature of struggle for national liberation and the fight for Socialism was expressed, stating that both are inseparable from one another. Nathan went on to explain that our struggle is not merely national but extends across the globe and as such, progressive revolutionaries the world over require our support and solidarity.
A speech regarding the European Union was delivered by Ann McParland, criticising the body as a neoliberal institution which offers only poverty and misery to the Irish working class. Ann lambasted the body for its erosion of Irish sovereignty and democracy as well as the reformists that bemoan the return of a “hard-border” reminding those that entertain such reactionary thoughts that the border never went away and that Irish Republicans have yet to experience this normalised free movement zone as the security forces at the border as well as our own communities, do their utmost to demoralise, vilify and intimidate us. The speech went on to explain that the leaving of the so called United Kingdom from the EU should be seen as an opportunity for Irish Republicans to foster support for radical separatism within the Irish people across the island.
Dublin Ard Chomhairle member Tony Boland presented an emotive speech regarding the volunteers that fought at Easter week, lamenting the lack of awareness many of today’s Irish youth have of their sacrifice, ambitions and ideals. This being the result of a conscious attempt by the status quo to sever the Irish people from their historic tradition of radical resistance to occupation. Moor street was one example given of the Free State’s desire to airbrush the sacrifice of our patriot dead and a lack of focus of Irish republican history in our education systems was also criticised by Tony. A fitting speech for the centenary year Ard Fheis.
Finally Armagh activist and National Chairperson John Heaney spoke with optimism and called on all our comrades and supporters to redouble their efforts to expose the injustices of state’s that harass, intimidate and imprison our comrades. He spoke of the steadfastness of Cógus prisoners, of the difficulty of losing former National Chairperson Carl Reilly and Ard Chomhairle member Tony Taylor and the role we all have to play in opposing internment.
Through the many motions voted on throughout the day RNU reaffirmed their support for the LGBT community, their stance on abstentionism and their position that Irish sovereignty is inalienable and indefeasible, requiring no vote. Inadequate access to healthcare and the homelessness and suicide epidemic was particularly focused upon by RNU activists across the island and will be challenged vehemently in this coming year.
RNU’s Ard Fheis of 2016 has once more revealed that the membership of this movement hold true to the revolutionary ideals of Irish Republicanism, hold true to their progressive socio-economic position which makes this a party of and for the working class and hold true to those that languish in British jails for their political convictions. There are many challenges ahead, but through internal and external solidarity and faith in our political convictions and ideology, we will meet those challenges head on, growing more capable and confident as we do so.
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