éirígí: For A Socialist Republic

éirígí would like to use the occasion of New Years Day to thank all of those who have shown us goodwill since our foundation at Easter of 2006. To those who have supported our campaigns through the donation of time, energy, finance and advice we would like to extend a particular gratitude. Through the course of the last eight months there has been a steady growth in the numbers of both members and supporters of éirígí. This expanding support base has allowed us to mark the ninetieth anniversary of the 1916 Rising with our "Reclaim the Republic" campaign while also significantly contributing to the campaigns to protect Ireland's natural resources and to end the use of Shannon Airport by the United States military.
In April of this year éirígí was simply an idea; a concept of a new membership-led socialist republican organisation which would be part of a new movement for freedom in Ireland. A freedom which would extend beyond the national freedom of a British withdrawal to include true economic, cultural and social freedom. At the time we were inspired by Fintan Lalor when he stated that "somewhere and somehow, and by somebody, a beginning must be made”. As we enter 2007 a beginning has truly now been made.
We look forward to another year of political activism, to a year of challenging those who care not for the sovereignty of Ireland or the well being of its people; to another year of confronting and exposing those who would sell Ireland, including its resources and people, to the highest bidder. We know that the task ahead for those who oppose exploitation is great but the prize of true freedom is greater still. It is this prize that inspires us to organise resistance to the status quo while promoting an alternative form of society based upon the principles of true justice and freedom.
Across the globe new grassroots movements are developing and successfully challenging the agenda of those who promote the so-called "free market". In South America in particular such movements have demonstrated over the last twelve months the power of a risen people, successfully challenging and reversing the tide of globalised capitalism. We intend over the coming twelve months to develop new, and deepen existing, relationships with other progressive organisations and individuals across Ireland, exploring with them the potential shape of a new Ireland and identifying common ground for political action. To assist in this process we will over the coming months be publishing a number of topic-specific papers which reflect the views of the collective membership of éirígí.
At its foundation éirígí was a Dublin-based organisation. Over the last number of months this situation has changed with a significant number of non-Dublin based activists becoming part of the éirígí project. We hope that this process will continue and accelerate in 2007. To this end we would encourage individuals from across Ireland to join with us and others in our endeavours to create a Democratic Socialist Republican Movement - doing nothing simply isn't an option.