éirígí Mansion House Protest

by Charlene Breslin Tue Jan 20, 2009 23:17

While I always am in favour of pro active campaigning, and I think éirigi do alot of good campaigning, i feel like they have shot themselves in the foot regards the action againt Starbucks and now today.

Surely the remembrance of the 1st Dáil Eíreann by anyone is a positive thing.

I do not agree with FF by any stretch of the imagination but they do have a substantial mandate, and if their mandate see's them supporting the 1st Dáil, perhaps it will republicanise them more, give them more interest in what it means. Éirigi should not be desuading these people and telling them they have no right to be a Republican, but should be encouraging them at every opportunity.

I also think it was positive that northern elected ministers where represented today, most notably deputy first minister Martin McGuinness, whih added an all Ireland demension to proceedings.

The only result of today's action was to alienate a large section of people we massively need to engage on the republican project. A cheap publicity stunt.

by Charlene Breslin Tue Jan 20, 2009 23:22

Could I just also add that I think the arrest of the 2 young activists was OTT, and every has a right to peaceful dignified protest, even if I do disagree and think its counterproductive.

by Dubious? Tue Jan 20, 2009 23:33

Charlene,

I'm dubious of your claim that you think eirigi do a lot of good campaigning as you follow it by criticising two excellent actions that eirigi have organised over the last few days.

The Mansion House protest was daring, clever and totally appropriate. Almost all of those within the Mansion House today have done nothing to end the British occupation. In fact most of them have done everthing in their power to supress those who would challenge that occupation.

The first dail was explicitly committed to achieving complete freedom for all of ireland - not just the 26 counties. And yet not one of the great and good assembled inside the Mansion House today saw fit to demand a British withdrawal from the 6 counties.

What eirigi did today was point out the simple fact that the emperor has no clothes and fair play to them for doing it.

Caption: Video Id: gQZ6xAP1uBE&feature= Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

by Charlene Breslin Wed Jan 21, 2009 00:12

I do think that Éirigi do alot of excellent campaigning, but if you don't want to accept that then suit yourself ;)

I also reserve the right to question any action, and if some action doesn't seem right, or if I view it as counter productive then I'll say so, and also accept if im wrong.

On these 2 instances, Starbucks and the Mansion House I feel that Éirigi have been reactive and misguided in their action.

Starbucks aren't even included on the IPSC's boycott list, and the company have very publicly distanced themselves from Israel, even going so far as to pull out all coffee shops from Israel, hardly the stance of ardent zionists?

And in terms of today's event, i am utterly disgusted at the free staters stance on the republic since the treaty, but I also recognise that they (FF, FG) represent a huge swathe of people across the 26 Counties, and for their mandate to see them remember the 1st Dail, perhaps it will open Pandora's box for them and make them urge more action from their reps on Freedom, or even vote for a republican party like Sinn Féin or Éirigi.

By protesting at this event, you are affronting their reps, and closing their mind before thatprocess has began.

Will you be protesting at SF's event tomorrow?

by Charlene Breslin Wed Jan 21, 2009 00:19

The Free Staters are hardly going to turn around and demand an immediate British Withdrawal, remember the Good Friday Agreement.

The same parties who endorsed the GFA, and politics of consent are not going to go against the majority of Irish people who voted for this, but they have all said they are republicans and support a United Ireland being achieved by consent and democratically.

While FF/FG action on unity has been light on the ground, hopefully this new found 'republicanism' remembering 1916 and 1st Dail, will reignite an interest in modern Ireland and take us on course for a United Ireland.

by Martin O'Shea Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:49

Calling the sovereign Republic of Ireland "the Twenty-Six County establishment" is insulting to the people of the South who vote overwhelmingly for FF, FG, Labour, Greens and independents with the implication that the Republic of Ireland is an illegitimate state.
It also exhibits extraordinary arrogrance and contempt for democracy.
Most people in the Republic of Ireland favour a united 32-county Republic of Ireland but only through the peaceful consent of the majority of the people of Northern Ireland who at the moment are not in favour of breaking away from the United Kingdom.
30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland was completely counterproductive and has in fact copperfastened the commitment of the unionist community in Northern Ireland to remain British subjects.
The Good Friday Agreement recognises that fact - the majority of the people of this island north and south voted in favour of the current dispensation - the citizens of the Republic of Ireland voted to abandon articles 2 & 3 from the 1937 constitution, the territorial claim to the remaining six counties while the nationalist and unionist parties of Northern Ireland share power in the Stormont parliament which has the support of the population of Northern Ireland.
British rule in Northern Ireland therefore reflects the democratic wishes of the majority of the people of the island of Ireland.

by Ger Devereux Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:25

It was a necessary protest because we have yet to achieve what the First Dail aspired too, a 32 County Irish Republic and most of the Dail deputies seem to forget that.

by Simple Public Question to Eirigi Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:28

Hi Eirigi

Here are a few simple question from a libertarian socialist and anarchist. Good to see other activist involved in direct actions, but it seems that eirigi have fallen a bit from exciting beginnings

Just how does Eirigi see itself, in theory and in practice, convincing the large section of the population in the noth that identifies as british/unionist/loyalist that they are better off in a united Ireland?

Does Eirigi accept the reality that from republican piont of view, the biggest, most effective and most intractable obstacle of irish unity is not the British administration but the population in the north who see themselves as british, as will resist all attempts to have a united irealnd forced upon then? If eirigi disagrees with this, could they outline why this is the case.

What links/connections/talks are Eirigi having with protestant working class people, or how do they plan going about this? Is it important, or something that can be done much later when you are much bigger??

In essense can erigi outline how they will buck the trend of nationalism everywhere and hwhat steps will you be taking to see that over the next 5 years you will definitely NOT be turning into a sectarian political organisation?

These are geuine questions from someone who is interested in eirigi, but a think that there are massive holes in their 'take' on the north, and seem to be repeating the intellectual failings(ike so many groups behind the mantle of gusto) of most of the republican movement

by Left Republican - None Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:37

While commending the action taken by Eirigi today I would pose the question of priority. What is most significant about the first Dail is it's democratic programme (now more than ever) and I would argue that any campaign that aims at an end to British imperialism and the unification of the Irish working class would do well to take that document as it's manifesto.
While the Irish political class, SF included, lauds itself for 90 years of political, social and economic failure they ignore and white wash the most fundamental principles of that first expression of Irish democracy and social equality.

by MacE Wed Jan 21, 2009 13:48

Well done to the two men and everyone else involved.

by Martin O' Shea Wed Jan 21, 2009 13:48

"the unification of the Irish working class"

Surely you are ignoring the obvious reality that the majority of the working class of Northern Ireland consider themselves part of the "British working class." The most hardline unionists and loyalists in Northern Ireland are found among the working class Protestant communities and these communities were the recruiting grounds for the loyalist paramilitaries.
Until the end of the Troubles in 1994 the majority of Irish nationalists in Northern Ireland voted for the SDLP.
You are also ignoring the obvious reality that the Irish working class in the 26-counties do not vote for any parties with a radical republican nationalist or socialist agenda - the parties with the majority of working class support in the Republic of Ireland are Fianna Fail, Fianna Gael and the Labour Party and they voted often vote the way their families traditionally voted since the foundation of the state 90 years ago.
The Catholic Nationalist working class community in Northern Ireland is almost completely out of step and totally detached from the rest of the island.
This was dramatically exhibited during the 2007 general election when SF lost seats and Gerry Adams was shown to have a hazy grasp of the issues that concern southerners by the then Tanaiste Michael McDowell during a TV debate on RTE.

by I dont think so Wed Jan 21, 2009 14:24

I agree with the poster that wrote that yesterday's event at the Mansion House was nothing but a cheap publicity stunt.

Those who assembled inside the Mansion House were shameless in their attempt to claim some sort of legitimacy from the First Dail. Unfortunatly for Cowen, Kenny and Gilmore the facts condradict their alleged republican credentials. The first dail adopted two documents at its first sitting 90 years ago today. The first was the Declation of independence which decalared the absolute independence of Ireland - all of Ireland, not just part of it. The second document adopted was the Democratic Programme which spelt out the primary duties and responsibilities of the incoming government.

It was interesting that none of the party leaders who took part in yesterdays publicity stunt happened to mention these two documents or compare how Ireland of today compares with them. Why??

Because they havent achieved a fraction of the objectives of those documents. Because those who formed the first dail were radical, revolutionary, republicans and socialists unlike the leaders of the FF, FG and Labour. In fairness to Kenny at least he had the honesty to admit his admiration for the Redmonite trend - from which he and the rest of them come.

A couple of years back bertie ahern claimed he was a socialist but I know he was lying. Yesterday Cowen and Co attempted to protray themselves as the true inheritors of 1919 but I know that they aren't and the facts support me.

In terms of the possible protests that eirigi could have organised yesterday a banner drop was the most appropriate - making the point in a bold but non-confrontational way. For that they are to be commended.

by Anti nationial, free thinker Wed Jan 21, 2009 15:09

i think the questions asked earlier are pretty relevant from libertarian socialist

"Just how does Eirigi see itself, in theory and in practice, convincing the large section of the population in the noth that identifies as british/unionist/loyalist that they are better off in a united Ireland?

Does Eirigi accept the reality that from republican piont of view, the biggest, most effective and most intractable obstacle of irish unity is not the British administration but the population in the north who see themselves as british, as will resist all attempts to have a united irealnd forced upon then? If eirigi disagrees with this, could they outline why this is the case.

What links/connections/talks are Eirigi having with protestant working class people, or how do they plan going about this? Is it important, or something that can be done much later when you are much bigger??

In essense can erigi outline how they will buck the trend of nationalism everywhere and hwhat steps will you be taking to see that over the next 5 years you will definitely NOT be turning into a sectarian political organisation?"

Its all well and good lauding eirigi for being " bold and non confrontational" but how is the group addressing what seem to be pretty obvious questions. That not so say that much of the micro left have a great take either, but eirigi are the group most often using the rethoric of nationalism ( or at least the rethoric of national liberation from the 80's in its critique and position.

by Brian Wed Jan 21, 2009 15:15

Well done éirígí. Excellent protest. Dont mind the begrudgers moaning about it

by Anti nationalist Wed Jan 21, 2009 15:39

the actions themselves

Come on Brian, do indymedia readers a favour.
Whilst some comments have been flippant, you cant call asking a political organisations its take on some fairly elementary posistions and ideas of tactic and stratedy towards unification of the island as begrudery. To avoid them only suggests that the Eirigi who seem to present themselves, and perhaps indeed is, the intellectual leading edge, and certainly the hip direct-actioneers of the republican movement havent really thought it out yet? Brits Out really only suits a niche market, and clearly for the majority of people who identify as british such slogans feels like your asking them to leave. Is thats Eirigi's take.....if the prods dont like it they can fuck off??

They are questions that any working class protestant would be asking, or indeed should be ones that any republican socialist should be thinking about. Id assume that a political organisation made up of republican socialists, at the start of the 21st century, might think that these questions would be somewhat instrumental and quite prevailent in the texts/posistions and political discussion they use to convince readers, and anyone else of the validity of thier ideas.

I dont expect Eirigi to have fully worked out answers but given the long trajectory of many of its members, and reckoning they are a intelliegent organisation, it would be really good to hear what they, either individualy or collectively, on some of the questions mentioned above. Lets raise the game a bit?

by Anti Nationalist Wed Jan 21, 2009 15:47

By "i dont think so" above

"It was interesting that none of the party leaders who took part in yesterdays publicity stunt happened to mention these two documents or compare how Ireland of today compares with them. Why??"

Im no Labour fan, and whilst Gilmore didnt have much to say or get excitied about, he did make a bit of a deal about the Democratic Programme, i guess since it was introduced orginally by some Labour dude back in the day. Labours mentioning of the democratic programme was in either the Times or Indo, cant remember which, and was screened on RTE.

Like i said it was dull, and pretty irrelevant, including the comparisons but just think its worth getting stuff factually correct on the thread

by Tara Tara Tara Wed Jan 21, 2009 17:20

FANTASTIC! Well done to the lads up on the roof. Ye and the supporters on the ground epitomise the spirit of the galant men of 90 years ago and should be very proud. I heard about this action on the radio yesterday and it really made me smile. It wasnt on the 6pm news and I missed the 9 pm so thanks for the video, its excellent, really glad I got to see it :)

Well done, well done !!! Please let us know how ye get on in court.

Best wishes.

by awake Wed Jan 21, 2009 17:39

OUTSTANDING!!! So happy to see people finally waking up to the truth. And to the people who don't agree i say, i too was once blind and asleep, the truth will set you, free but first it will PISS YOU OFF!!!

by Wondering Wed Jan 21, 2009 18:28

90 YEARS ON - NO CLOSER TO FREEDOM - END THE OCCUPATION

Who is occupied or want does eirigi feel is the real barriers to a united ireland. Do you really think its the Brits eh? Come on play a bit smarter than that Eirigi. Who you playing to. Right wing nationalist of the south. How many members do you actually have in the north.

by Anne Wed Jan 21, 2009 18:48

It is always necessary to remind those who have fattened on compromise that reality cannot be obfuscated.

Beir bua.

by Meathman Wed Jan 21, 2009 21:17

Well done Eirigi but why not today on the right date 21/01/2009. Was some one in the Mansion house with a do not piee us off banner. I hope this is not so. Well done any way but get dates right no matter who is about.

by Gearóid, Tír Eoghain Fri Jan 23, 2009 16:35

A number of contributors above, in their instinctive haste to criticise the actions of Éirigí, have fallen hook, line and sinker for the hackneyed clichés employed by supporters of imperialism (conscious or unconscious) throughout history.

The imperial conquerer unfailingly creates a reactionary section of support within the population of the subject country. Since the inception of modern British colonial rule in Ireland, the loyalist working class has been carefully cultivated to play the role of the extreme right wing, reactionary vanguard of opposition to the Irish people's democratic rights as outlined in the Democratic Programme of the First Dáil.

To follow the logical conclusion of the arguments of Éirigí's critics, Evo Morales should pack his bags and give way to the section of the Bolivian population who would prefer to see the writ of US neo-liberalism run large in the region. Fidel Castro should have stayed in Mexico until he was able to persuade Cuban supporters of US imperialism to come around to his way of thinking.

The twisted logic of apologists for British imperialism enables them to defend a blatant denial of the Irish people's democratic right to national self-determination on the basis of the wishes and sensitivities of approx 20% of the island's population. Sinn Féin has now also bought into this line which for years was popularly known as the 'Unionist Veto'. The aforementioned anti-democratic veto is little more than a crude attempt to disguise Britain's imperialist designs on Ireland. The naivety of the contributor and Sinn Féin activists who consider Britain to have no anti-democratic role in Ireland is as embarassing as it is inexcusable.

Would the purveyors of 'we must persuade loyalists to see the merits of a 32 county socialist republic before we can agitate for Irish national self-determination' line also advocate that the left in Britain should focus their activities on courting Combat 18 and the BNP before proceeding with agitation on defence of the NHS and protesting against anti-imperialist wars abroad ?

by iosaf Sat Jan 24, 2009 20:45

which are frequently evoked by Eirigi stunts. Gurb maith agaibh.


Look carefully for enduring symbolism at that portico on the Mansion House - for Christ's sake!?
mace and sceptre, woolsack and 3 fortress castles obedientia civium urbes felicitas

But as any one of us really know, it wasn't who was in the first Dail that mattered, just try it!

Swagger yourself into your local casino this evening and brag about your close familial ties to the first Dail & if you enjoyed a free drink or lapdance, you'd only be taking advantage of the poorly educated, naive and short of concentration span youths ( and young wans ) who don't know their first Dail from their second and thus fall for the regular regurgitation of history which such memorials promote.

.......... I was in the second and one and only legitimate all island elected dail eireann - come sit on my knee......