Connolly Festival

national | anti-capitalism | other press Thursday June 08, 2006 18:45 by ED - Labour Youth

This year will mark the first ever Connolly Festival, taking place in the Teachers Club on Friday 16th and Saturday the 17th of June.

The idea of the festival is to organise an event to commemorate James Connolly by looking at issues and campaigns that are relevant today. It is hosted by Labour Youth and the event is open to all left wing activists. It is our hope that the workshops will be informative and interactive with the clear intention of a unified campaign emerging at the end of each session. Although speakers have been asked to speak, it is hoped that all activists present would make contributions and help ensure a lively discussion.

The first workshop takes place on Friday the 16th of June at 8pm. The topic is Same Sex Marriage, and the speakers include Rachel Mathews McKay (Labour LGBT) and Marie Mulholland (Chair of Irish Council for Civil Liberties Working Group on Partnership Right).

The second workshop begins the next morning at 10am. This session will discuss Pro Choice Activism. The speakers include Jane Horgan Jones (UCD Students Union Education Officer) and Marianne Farrelly of (BODY - Youth Pro Choice Group)

At 11.30am the third workshop begins. This will discuss the Boycott Coke campaign. Speakers include Claire Hall (UK Students Against Coke) and Paul Dillon (former president of UCD Students Union and a member of the Irish Boycott Coke campaign).

At 2.30pm the fourth workshop begins and will discuss the use and abuse of Shannon by the US military. The speakers include Cllr. Declan Bree and Cormac Mc Mahon, an anti war activist.

The final workshop begins at 4.30 and will discuss the ongoing Shell to Sea campaign. Speakers include Tommy Broughan T.D. and Tracey Ryan from the Rossport Solidarity Camp

On Saturday night the CONNOLLY SOCIAL will take place in Nealons of Capel Street. 8 till late.
This is an event open to all activists and we hope that members of the various political parties and political movements on the left will attend and help coordinate a united social struggle against capitalism and neo-liberalism.