Ógra Shinn Féin Easter Statement 2008

national | miscellaneous | press release Thursday March 20, 2008 20:27 by Republican Youth - Ogra Shinn Fein

On this the 92nd anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, Ógra Shinn Féin proudly remembers all of those who died for the freedom of Ireland.

We would like to extend our fraternal greetings to all our imprisoned comrades, to their families and also to all the families of our patriot dead.

As we gather throughout Ireland this weekend paying homage to the sacrifice made by Ireland ’s patriot dead, we are ever mindful of the tasks that lie ahead.

92 years ago the Easter Rising shook irreparably Britain’s colonial hold on Ireland. It rekindled the flame of freedom in Ireland, and today, that flame continues to burn strong.

What was started in 1916 is unfinished business, Ireland is still occupied and huge inequalities are evident throughout Irish society. Ógra Shinn Féin is committed to the task of achieving and building a 32 County Democratic Socialist Republic and we would urge young republicans gathered to play a part in this momentous task by joining the struggle.

Young people have always been to the fore of successful liberation struggles throughout the world. Whether this be in Cuba, South Africa, Palestine or here at home in Ireland. Indeed the first Republican Youth Movement Na Fianna Éireann, founded in 1909, played a significant role in the struggle and suffered huge losses. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Na Fianna’s formation and Ógra Shinn Féin will be organising significant events across Ireland to remember the unbroken line of republican youth in struggle, their role and sacrifices.

We believe in community led socialism, in empowering communities to organise, yet we see the hugely negative impact Drug and Alcohol abuse is having on our young people and communities, which is why we are currently involved in a National Drug and Alcohol Awareness campaign called NARC ‘Not Another Ravaged Community.’ It is an issue that we collectively need to tackle, and we would appeal today for people to engage in the campaign.

We are also Internationalists, and we condemn the ongoing repression of the Basque Youth in Segi, and the KSM Young Communists in the Czech Republic. We send solidarity greetings to oppressed people’s across the world and again repeat our call for the ending of the illegal occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Republican’s have worked tirelessly and suffered huge losses in the pursuit of Irish freedom, and we believe this will ensure achievement of our objectives. These sacrifices cannot be in vain, which is why we need to be very focused on the encroaching Lisbon Treaty. The Lisbon Treaty if not rejected will contravene Irish neutrality, create inequality, attack workers rights and erode Irish sovereignty, and republicans need to campaign to ensure the Irish people vote no.

What was started by the United Irishmen in 1798, and came to rise in 1916 is all unfinished business. We in Ógra Shinn Féin vow to play our part in completing the task and break the connection between Britain and Ireland. It is then we will see the rising of the moon.

Beirígí Bua!