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éirígí Ard-Fheis: Saturday May 10

09/05/08

éirígí will hold its second Ard-Fheis in Dublin this weekend. Formed in the same city, as a campaigns group, on the 90th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 2006, éirígí has developed significantly in the time that has elapsed since.

The party, which began as a campaigns group with six members, has now grown to the point where it has hundreds of members and supporters spread across Ireland.

The events of the last two years have shown the real appetite that exists in Ireland for a radical socialist republican alternative to the status quo.

Party chairperson Brian Leeson paid credit to éirígí activists and outlined the task that lay ahead.

“The credit for éirígí’s growth so far has to go to our activists and the courage and commitment they have displayed over the last two years. Without the work they are doing on the ground on a daily basis, none of our achievements would have been possible.

“éirígí proposes an alternative society in Ireland and actively campaigns for its realisation – to build that alternative we will first need to build an alternative liberation movement to those that have gone before.

“éirígí fully intends to play its part in that process, but it will require the involvement of citizens from every working class community in this country.

“In two years we have taken part in many campaigns and initiatives – from our involvement in the Shell to Sea and No to Lisbon campaigns, to our pioneering of the No British Royal Visits and the Reclaim the Republic campaigns. Through these campaigns éirígí has engaged with thousands of people throughout Ireland.

“Legislation, bills, treaties and parliaments can only deliver a certain amount of change. Incremental and fundamental change in how people’s lives are lived almost invariably has a starting point elsewhere. It is important to highlight this point in the Ireland of today.”

Brian continued:

“This Ard-Fheis is also an opportunity for us to ask republicans and socialists nationwide to join with us in rebuilding the republican movement, in tackling the issues that cause distress all over this island and removing the key ills that confront us – the British occupation and the unequal socio-economic system that pertains on both sides of Britain’s border.

“Republicanism has travelled a long and hard road to a point where it is now in a period of flux. We understand the difficulties of shedding old ideas and loyalties and understand the difficulties of mounting a revolutionary initiative in the current climate. But, understanding the ongoing occupation and the current socio-economic model, we see no option but to begin to reinvigorate the socialist republican message throughout the country.

“Only the citizens of this country have the potential to liberate it from those who champion the system of exploitation and inequality that currently exists – nobody else will do it for us.”

éirígí will be holding its third annual James Connolly commemoration at Arbour Hill Cemetery, Dublin, following Saturday’s Ard-Fheis. All those who wish to remember Connolly and shape society around his ideas are welcome and are asked to assemble at the entrance of the Cemetery at 3.15pm.

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