Evidence that You Can't Trust the State

Okay so I'm sure everyone has heard about the "shots fired on police in Fermanagh" at this stage. What I can gather however is that only one shot was fired, yet Police replyed with two shots.

Anyway as I am in Uni this is just a wee short one to highlight that the British state can not be trusted. In recent weeks we have seen a letter to the DUP about policing and justice, with out involvement of SF.

However in relation to the aformentioned incident, it has emerged that members of the British Army were involved in the inncident and that soldiers from the "Special Reconnaissance Regiment" had been involved and had been monitoring movements. We as Irish Republicans are expected to "move on" and trust the state and Stormont despite being told that the Army were not on our streets, nor would they be on our streets, whilst in the background are carrying out Reconnaissance missions on our streets, in our country.

Now I have issues with members of the police force being targeted. Its a personal inner conflict that I would have with my Christian faith. Targeting a member of the police force, just because he is a Catholic members, to enforce a point, is a ideal I can not find myself supporting.

But I think this whole thing raises a bigger issue. It highlights a growing sector of unhappy Republicans, who are constantly brushed off by the executive as being Dissidents, or terrorists. However this highlights that a growing sector of the electorate are unhappy. "Dissidents" are equal members of society and as such have a right to voice an opinion and be listened too. Éirígí, 32CSM and the RNU to name three parties of unhappy Republicans, all without a armed wing, are all ignored as "dissident" Republicans. It is unfair to paint all of these people with the same brush that is used to paint the CIRA and the RIRA.

While the executive continues to ignore the voices of these people, brushing them off as mere dissidents and while the PSNI continue to stop 110 people a day under the terrorism laws, the ranks of the armed wings of Republicanism will swell. This "peace" will begin to show up the cracks that it is painted over. Where we at this stage do not have "violent conflict" on our streets, we still have conflict and where people continue to ignore it, it will boil over.

It is my belief that this "Peaceful Society" that these politicians talk about, is at a very real threat of collapsing in on itself. The British state and the DUP have not learnt from their past. The same tatics they used against SF are the same tatics they now use againts "dissidents". SF are now the biggest Republican party in the occupied state. These same tatics will cause the ranks of the very "dissidents" they are trying to ignore, to grow.

Now this was supposed to be a short one and as a result I don't really have time to build a conclusion. These are just more thoughts going on in my head. I will write in more detail later.

God Bless
Peace

"The Armed Struggle is Over"

"The Armed Struggle is Over" - INLA

The Irish National Liberation Army were formed in 1975, believed to be formed as a break away from the the Official IRA who had three years previous called a Ceasefire. The INLA have had a reputation for ruthlessness and were involved in many high profile killings of the troubles. They were responsible for the death of Billy Wright and Airey Neave and the 1982 bomb attack on the "Droppin' Well Pub" in Derry.

Patsy O'Hara(61 Days), Kevin Lynch(71 Days) and Michael Devine(60 Days) all died on hunger strike whilst protesting for political status and prisioner rights in Long Kesh in 1981. Liam McCloskey was also on the strike for 55 days before the strike ended. All were members of the INLA.

The INLA are dedicated to Irish Freedom and the establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic.

Following the GFA, to which they opposed, the INLA called a ceasefire, which they have maintained for eleven years. This is a reflection of their dedication to the people and their cause. However, in their wake they had left a legacy of 113 deaths including 46 British Security forces, 2 Irish Security Forces, 16 Republican paramilitaries, 7 loyalist paramilitaries and regretably a further 42 civilians.

The Political wing of the INLA, the Irish Republican Socialist Party, issued the statement at an event in Bray in County Wicklow.

"The RSM [Republican Socialist Movement] has been informed by the INLA that following a process of serious debate, consultation and analysis, it has concluded that the armed struggle is over and the objective of a 32 County Socialist Republic will be best achieved through exclusively peaceful political struggle "

Their was no mention of decommisioning during the statement, however it is believed that the process has already begun, although it is only at the discussion stage.

In recent years the INLA, like all "dissidents", have been accused of criminal activity, namely drugs, however the INLA have in the past used beatings and kneecappings to punish dealers. It is a hard pill for me to swallow, that these community based men and women would now allow such activities to turn their streets into the "republican ghettos" we hear so much about. I personally question this as being a hard "fact".

Reactions from all mainstream parties have been as expected.

"Given the history of the INLA there will undoubtedly be some scepticism about today's statement... However, if it is followed by the actions that are necessary, this is a welcome development" - Gerry Adams

Despite this reaction being the same as that of unionists to the PIRA decmmision I guess this reaction was to be expected. However the reaction of non mainstream Republicans is likely to be different, as it seems that another Republican organisation dedicated to the establishment of a 32 County Socialist Republic surrendered, as this is an aim that many Irish believe is unachievable if we give up our weapons.

The action of giving up our weapons to the occupier is hardly likely to achieve freedom from that occupier, considering they have refused to allow our freedom since 1167. However the INLA, who opposed the GFA and the idea of moving into the politcal spectrum have now decided that is the only way forward. We see this following moves by the loyalist paramilitaries, a move I believe was necessary before more Republican weapons are decommissioned.

As I stated in previous blogs I do not currently see the space for armed struggle at this stage in the Republican struggle for freedom. The Irish people, and the Republican movement, has always insisted that armed struggle should be the last option. At this moment the support for armed struggle, where it is not as low as the British state would have us believe, it is not what it use to be in previous years, though it is on the rise. I believe in the Republican stance of opposing the Britsh Army and opposing the current Police Force, however at this stage I do not see the need for armed force. I agreed with the INLA stance of a ceasefire, but not surrender.

I do not agree with the complete disarmament of the Republican groups, until the loyalist people have also begun to decommission every weapon, a move we are starting to see. Furthermore disarmament of the Irish people requires the 5000 remaining soldiers to be brought home, and their British army bases put out of use. The PSNI needs to be reformed. I believe that whilst we remain under the rule of Britain, we need a new police service, and not the police force that is the RUC, reshuffled to the PSNI. At this stage ideally it would be necessary that the British and Irish governments begin to discuss complete British withdrawal and the unification of our Island.

I must admit it is good to see that this organisation have decided to advance peacefully, but what does this spell out for the likes of ONH, CIRA and RIRA? I believe they shall now, like they have with PSF, deem them traitors to the Irish cause and it is likely that the IRSP will lose the little support they have. However, the fact remains, whilst British rule is administered in Ireland there will be those that will fight against it, furthermore, there will be those who will fight with the sword [or armalite].

John Brady died in Police custody, and with Britain's history in this Country it does seem suspicious to me and many other Republicans. It is another hard pill to swallow for Republicans to trust the British system or the PSNI and the case of Brady is unlikely to aid that mistrust. If the British refuse to give the Irish freedom, why would they do so to a people that no longer pose a threat? I believe that with the INLA disarmed and effectively no more, that their support will obviously move to the likes of the CIRA/RIRA, meaning that we will certainly see a rise in the support of one if not both of these organisations.

However one would believe this an interesting point to question rumours that have been circulating on-line [fenian32 / Politics.ie], insinuating that the CIRA army council no longer see the use of violence as justifiable. Are we truly seeing the CIRA, the army that holds roots in the original army of the first Dáil Éireann making a move towards peace? The army who condemned the PIRA for all these years? This would almost certainly see the growth, and a considerable growth at that, of the RIRA, who are reputably more ruthless than the CIRA.

As I have stated before I do not condemn these groups, but I currently see the space for a ceasefire that could lead to negotiations with the British state and a reflection of where we really are in our struggle. Can Bombs and guns really bring us any further? If so, Do armed groups have the support currently to be effective? Do they really have the ability to stage an economic war?? If not, is it time to disarm? Do we remain on permanent ceasefire? I have no answers, just some food for thought, for mainstream Republicans and otherwise.

God Bless

Peace

Objection to the DPP Meetings

So I would like to pass an opinion here, that will sit unpopular, esp with supporters and members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and the Republican Network for Unity.

The 32CSM deem this protest as a success. I'm not actually sure that is the word I would use. I mean I guess yea, in so much as the protest disrupted the meeting, and I believe that it was called off early, then yes it was a success. However the action and tactics used are, at best, questionable.

It was a public meeting, and I fully recognise the right to stage a protest and I agree with the 32CSM/RNU objection to the DPP and support for the PSNI/RUC. However they were completely undignified in their protest. The use of horns and whistles and man handling of hotel staff, plays right into the hands of the media and the British black propagandha machine. The footage caught on this evening can be used to easily paint the aformentioned groups as rabble, hoods and trouble makers.

This is in stark comparasion to the recent RSF protest at the DPP meeting on the Lower Falls, in the Clonard Youth Hall. This protest was both dignified and could not be painted as anything other than a valid political protest. PSF councillor Marie Cush explained that the protest effectively lasted just over 4 minutes.

"They came in and sat at the front. A woman sang a song, then they left" - Marie Cush

In my opinion this would be more effective than that of the 32CSM/RNU protest, for a few reasons. I know Republicans, who support PSF, but who are weary and still are finding it hard to adjust to PSF's stance on policing. To these people, with Republicanism at their heart, the sing protest of RSF is more likely to make them settle, to agree with the RSF stance, which at heart they probably already believe in, but have not voiced. However the equivlent in Derry will be likely unconvinced as it seemed so unorganised.

Now I will admit to being uncertain in myself about these things. I mean clearly the 32CSM/RNU protest got more media attention, meaning it was brought to the attention of more people than that of the RSF protest. One is brought to question the use of protest, if media attention is not there. Further more RSF left after staging their protest. I guess, imo, I rekon the best way to carry out these protests would be that of RSF, but to not leave. To stand at points throughout the hall staging silent protest with signs/posters/banners like that carried by the 32CSM/RNU.

I'm niave I guess, and at best do not obviously have the anwsers. I merely feel that this tactic supports our right to protest, but allows others their right also. Maybe its a contradiction

Now just to clarify, I do not condemn or disagree with the 32CSM/RNU, merely on this situation I wasn't sure that they acted the best they should have. I support anyone aiming for a 32 County Socialist Republic. I don't agree with the term "dissident". I also don't agree with the Public condemnation of PSF and PSF condemnation of anyone who is not PSF.

God Bless