Appeal to the noblest instincts not the lowest

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Wednesday November 23, 2011 21:46 by Saoirse - Republican Sinn Féin saoirse at iol dot ie Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill, 223 Parnell St, Dublin 1. 01 8729747

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton

The racist comments made by Fine Gael Councillor Darren Scully should serve as a warning of the dark forces only too willing to exploit the present economic crisis. History teaches us that at times of social, political or economic upheaval the forces of reaction and fascism are all too willing to fan the flames of intolerance, bigotry and racism. Darren Scully’s comments give succour to these forces and will be used by them to justify their hateful ideology. The relative silence of Fine Gael on this issue and in particular Darren Scully’s continued membership of their party is a significant indication of the importance they place on the rights of minority communities in our society.

Across Europe working people regardless of skin colour, nationality, gender or religion all face the same social and economic hardship at the hands of the same political and financial elite. It is this elite who are the common enemy of all who believe in a sovereign nation and society, one which is based on the principles of political and economic democracy. As Irish Republicans we take our stand on the historic democratic principles handed down to us by the Society of United Irishmen:  “The greatest happiness of the greatest number – on the rock of this principle let this Society rest”. We can only set about that task by appealing to the best and noblest instincts of human nature rather than the lowest.