No more killings

national | worker & community struggles and protests | opinion/analysis

Wednesday March 11, 2009 11:23

by Socialist Party

Working class should unite against the killings

The killings by the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA of two soldiers and a policeman should be roundly condemned by every section of the working class movement.

Working class people today face an unprecedented assault on jobs and on wages. Our public services are threatened by cuts and privatisation. More than ever we need to stand united to defend living standards.

No more killings

No return to sectarian conflict

The killings in Antrim and Lurgan are a reactionary attempt to divert the attention of workers away from the class issues that bring people together by stirring up sectarian division.

Dead end methods

The dissident republican groups responsible for these attacks are trying to justify their actions as part of a "legitimate" war against the state. This is just empty rhetoric which should fool no one.

The real purpose of the attacks is political, not military. The decades long campaign by the Provisional IRA showed that the methods of individual terrorism are incapable of succeeding. That campaign was a dead end for those who took it up. It strengthened the State rather than weakened it, by providing the excuse for repression on a massive scale. It also provoked a sectarian backlash that divided and weakened the working class.

If the provisional campaign, which began with a significant measure of support in working class Catholic communities, proved to be a dead end, how much more so the actions of today’s dissidents which are carried out without any real support from any community.

Hoping to provoke a backlash

The dissidents’ strategy is based on the hope that their attacks will provoke the Assembly and the State to resort to the type of repressive methods that were used at the height of the Troubles. They also hope that there will be a sectarian backlash from loyalists.

Sinn Fein would then have the choice of staying in an Executive that sanctioned repression or else pulling out and putting the Assembly and, with it, their entire political strategy in jeopardy.

In short these killings are an attempt to boost the fortunes of the dissident groups by taking us back to the past nightmare of sectarian killings and state repression which most people hoped we had left behind.

Mass action to isolate them

It is true that the dissidents would benefit from a return to methods such as the shoot to kill policy that provoked outrage, especially in Catholic working class areas in the past. The way to defeat them is, not through a "gloves off" clamp down by the State but by mobilising people in the working class communities to make sure that they are completely isolated.

In the past it was mass united action by the working class which forced a halt to the sectarian attacks and killings carried out by all the paramilitary groups. We need a similar response today. These killings – and any future attacks whether by republican or by loyalist paramilitary groups - should be answered by mass united demonstrations in which working class people in the workplaces and communities can show their revulsion.

New working class party needed

Apart from an over-reaction by the State, the one other thing that can give the dissidents a future is the growing anger and disillusionment in working class communities at the right wing economic policies being carried out by all the parties in the Assembly Executive - and the lack of any alternative to express this anger.

The trade unions are to be congratulated for acting swiftly in calling today’s protests against the killings. This is in marked contrast to the total inaction by the trade union leadership forty years ago which contributed to the start of the Troubles.

But instead of silent protests the unions should use these events to loudly spell out their independent alternative to all the sectarian and right wing forces. Instead of linking arms with employers and political parties who are busy attacking jobs and public services the unions should be championing the idea of a new working class party to offer a socialist alternative.

If no such political alternative is built there is a danger that class anger at the right wing policies of the Executive can take a sectarian and reactionary form, boosting groups such as those responsible for the recent attacks as well as their equivalents on the loyalist side.

But by building such a party we can isolate them politically as well as in the communities and ensure that there will be no return to the Troubles.

How united mass action stopped the killings

Todays protests show that the vast majority of working people are completely opposed to the shootings carried out by dissident groups whose intent is to drag us back into sectarian conflict. Throughout the ‘Troubles’, it was working class communities, Catholic & Protestant, who paid the price and suffered the most. The ‘campaigns’ carried out by paramilitaries on both sides of the divide resulted in the deepening of sectarian division in society which weakens the interests of workers.

A history of workers unity in action

The most effective weapon against sectarian killings and state repression has proven to be when workers take mass independent action. This was seen in the early 1990s when a series of strikes and large demonstrations against killings and threats (for instance after the Shankill bombing and the Ormeau Rd bookies massacre) played a key role in leading to the ceasefires in 1994. When postal worker Danny McColgan was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in 2001, it was the mass action by postal workers and the wider working class which succeeded in forcing loyalist and republican paramilitaries to lift the threats against workers. Over 100,000 workers demonstrated on January 18th 2001 in one of the biggest ever protests seen in Northern Ireland.

Independence from sectarian parties makes us stronger

These few examples show that mass action of working people, independent of sectarian politicians, church leaders and business representatives, is the most effective weapon to combat sectarianism in all it’s guises. If there is a sustained continuation of attacks in the coming weeks, then workers should ensure that local committees are elected in workplaces and communities which can campaign against sectarianism and respond to the threat of attacks and shootings swiftly.

We need a NEW political voice

Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement the peace process has managed to limp on, lurching from crisis to crisis, from suspension to restoration of the Assembly institutions to paralysis of the Executive from issue to issue. While the sectarian parties have superficially come together at the top in an uneasy coalition, the reality is that society has never been as divided along sectarian lines. There is now more segregation than ever before. There has never been less interaction between working class communities. Left in the hands of the sectarian parties, the peace process is in reality a process of division.

Assembly: United on right-wing economic policies

At the same time as the parties are divided on the ‘sectarian issues’ they have shown complete unity in implementing right-wing policies of cuts in public services and privatisation. The Assembly Executive’s budget is a horror story for workers with attack after attack contained within it. 2,500 jobs are to go in the Belfast Health Trust alone. Nursing homes are being threatened with closure across the North. 450 jobs are being cut from the Housing Executive. The list goes on.

A mass working class party is urgently needed

The parties in the Assembly are in agreement that working class people should pay for the economic crisis which has been caused by the super-rich. There is no opposition in the Assembly or at local council level to the right-wing policies being implemented by the sectarian parties. A mass party is needed which unites working class people, Catholic and Protestant, to fight the attacks on services, jobs, wages and conditions. The policy pursued by the leadership of the trade unions of supporting the parties in the Assembly Executive is failing to deliver for ordinary people. The unions should immediately support the establishment of a mass independent party which represents the united interests of working class and young people. By offering a fighting socialist alternative, the ability of sectarian forces to tap into the growing discontent in society, in particular amongst young people, can be cut across.

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Comments (14 of 14)

Join the protests

by Trade union member

Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:05

All trade unionists and workers should come out today and join the ICTU protests and show your opposition to these reactionaries.

How about Mass action to demand all British troops out ?

by Irish-American Socialist

Wed Mar 11, 2009 15:39

I agree with much of what the Irish SP say about the futility of the remaining armed Republican organizations .i don't think the attacks help the struggle against imperialism .
But i am concerned about the one sided aspect of their call for Mass action against '' Sectarianism ''.
First off i don't consider any republican organizations to be religious based sectarians . Yes i'm a '' Yank '' but i have met many republicans over the years both in Ireland and the US. Mainly '' Provos '' but also IRSP. '' Stickies ''and in the last decade '' dissident republicans ''. Many have been athieists or agnostics . some have considered themselves supporters of '' liberation theology '' but none have been fervent catholics railing indiscrimantely against ''prods ''. So why the label of ''sectarian '' ?
(Also i have to note the class base of the Republican movement . Based on my experience overwhemling working class. Many ''Provo'' immigrants i have met in Chicago, The San Francisco Bay area , and New York are Union activists and i might add often more militant and more ''left '' than many of us home grown Union guys )
So why not have mass action against the continuing presence of British troops on the Irish soil ?

Addition

Wed Mar 11, 2009 16:11

I had tech problems and was cut off before i finished my previous post .
Where does the Socialist party stand on the remaining British occupation troops in Ireland ? Do you want '' Troops out '' ? If not why not ? (It also should be noted that those two British soldiers killed were about to leave to join the imperialist war in Afghanistan . Should Ireland be a staging area for other US/British interventions ? )
I would like to know where the Socialist party stands on the largest ''sectarian parmilitary '' by far ,the PSNI . the renamed RUC ?

coverage of todays protest

by f

Wed Mar 11, 2009 17:44

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/t....html

Live blogging coverage of the concentrations for peace & in repudiation of RIRA/CIRA

by huevos - "how do you break yours?"

Wed Mar 11, 2009 18:39

& I suppose just importantly the positions of the 32csm/ Rsf political groupings which have never ceased to apologise for continued violence in either Ireland or elsewhere have been up on the Slugger O Toole newsblog - http://sluggerotoole.com/index.php/weblog/comments/sile...blog/

Irish American Socialist - a response

by Jolly Red Giant - Socialist Party/CWI

Wed Mar 11, 2009 18:41

'But i am concerned about the one sided aspect of their call for Mass action against '' Sectarianism ''.'

The SP has consistently opposed sectarianism from all sides and has initiated campaigns and action against sectarianism on many occasions over the past 40 years.

'First off i don't consider any republican organizations to be religious based sectarians . Yes i'm a '' Yank '' but i have met many republicans over the years both in Ireland and the US. Mainly '' Provos '' but also IRSP. '' Stickies ''and in the last decade '' dissident republicans ''. Many have been athieists or agnostics . some have considered themselves supporters of '' liberation theology '' but none have been fervent catholics railing indiscrimantely against ''prods ''. So why the label of ''sectarian '' ? '

The religious beliefs of Republican paramilitaries is irrelevant. They base themselves on one community and act in a sectarian manner against another community. Sectarianism exists in Northern Ireland within both communities and among paramilitaries within both communities. When a paramilitary grouping from one community targets another community it is engaging in a sectarian action.

'Also i have to note the class base of the Republican movement . Based on my experience overwhemling working class. '

Yes - but only based within the Catholic working class. The same argument could actually be said about loyalist paramilitaries – they are also overwhelmingly based within the Protestant working class. Where an organisation is based does not determine it’s character and should not dictate whether they are supported or not (remember fascists can also gain support among a section of the working class).

'Many ''Provo'' immigrants i have met in Chicago, The San Francisco Bay area , and New York are Union activists and i might add often more militant and more ''left '' than many of us home grown Union guys '

Yes there have been and are elements within the republican movement that have left wing views – but again you should not automatically assume that just because individuals are left –wing that it automatically makes an organisation left-wing. This should also be viewed in the light of the fact that many far-left have falsely coat-tailed the republican movement for decades and ended up doing political summersaults as circumstances have altered.

'So why not have mass action against the continuing presence of British troops on the Irish soil ?'

Firstly the presence of British Imperialism is not determined by whether they have troops on the ground. British imperialism in Ireland will only be removed as part of the process of Socialist revolution in Ireland and in Britain. The removal of British Imperialism is a non-runner within the confines of capitalism. Any call currently for mass action against British Imperialism would be met with contempt by the working class at the stupidity it would indicate, would inevitably be seen in a sectarian light and would invariably end in our organisation going down the road to oblivion that has been thread by some many other left organisations over the years.

'Where does the Socialist party stand on the remaining British occupation troops in Ireland ? '

The SP is opposed to British Imperialism in Ireland – and everywhere else in the world. We do not distinguish Imperialism based on national boundaries. We also oppose the rule of Imperialism and the bourgeoisie on the island of Britain and are actively organising to facilitate it overthrow by revolutionary action.

'Do you want '' Troops out '' ? If not why not ? '

As stated above the SP opposes British Imperialism in Ireland and wants British Imperialism removed from Ireland and everywhere else that it still engages in oppression. But demanding ‘Troops Out’ is an irrelevant slogan without being able to understand the nature and intent of Imperialism. Any and all demands have to be made in the context, and relating to the nature of, any situation.

'It also should be noted that those two British soldiers killed were about to leave to join the imperialist war in Afghanistan .'

Yes they were – but it is also necessary to distinguish between individual British soldiers and their masters in Westminister and Whitehall. While we oppose the actions of British Imperialism in Afghanistan we support the unionisation and democratisation of the armed forces and propagandising among soldiers to bring them to the side of the working class in a revolutionary situation. For example, Irish troops are used in ‘peace-keeping’ operations to protect the interests of capitalism under the umbrella of the UN. We oppose this – yet we support the statement from PDFORRA (the union for rank and file soldiers in Ireland) that soldiers should not be used to break strikes called by workers in opposition to the current attacks by the government.

'Should Ireland be a staging area for other US/British interventions ? '

Absolutely not – and the SP has consistently opposed the use of Irish airports by US Imperialism.

'I would like to know where the Socialist party stands on the largest ''sectarian parmilitary '' by far ,the PSNI . the renamed RUC ?'

The SP regards the PSNI as a sectarian force (despite the increase in the number of Catholics joining) just as it regarded the RUC as a sectarian force. As with all state forces the SP opposes the PSNI and regards it’s primary objective as the protection of private property and the preservation of the capitalist system.

The brainwashed Irish people have no minds

by Real Republican

Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:14

It is up to real republicans to fight for their liberty, kick the Brits out of our country and the people will follow us.
We cannot listen to the British controlled mainstream media, the main political parties including Sinn Fein who are British agents and recognise the British controlled Stormont and Dail Eireann.
The kindest acts are done without asking the people, sacrifice should not made seeking recognition that will not come in our life times. History will be our judge because we are on the right side of history - for 800 years out country has been enslaved - feudalism has given way to representative democracy, capitalism and political consensus but slavery and exploitation of the Irish people still exists!
Slaves do not know they are slaves because they cannot think for themselves.
We must free them physically and spiritually.
People may say that we are against the will of the Irish people but the Irish people have no will when they are slaves.
We alone have broken from from physical and spiritual slavery through our cause which is just and though we may lose the battles we will win the war.
Tiocfaith Ar La!

Moronic clap trap

by Des

Thu Mar 12, 2009 13:43

Real Republican.
Just the kind of mindless drivel I would expect from someone who would support the likes of the RIRA and CIRA.
Your arrogance is staggering, believing that you know better than the people of this country what is best for them.
The people of this country are educated, intelligent and know exactly what they want - peace.
If they don't want murder and bombs then you intend to give it to them anyway as it will be better i the long run. What utter pish!
The peace process will succeed and the British will withdraw due to plitical dialect and due to people working together and forgetting the past. History will judge that as the deciding factor in the Irish question. It will, as it alreay does (look at Omagh) regard the RIRA and CIRA as what they are - a bunch of blood thirsty criminals who hide behind a cause to further their own ends and not giving a damn for the people of Ireland.

Re: Des

Thu Mar 12, 2009 14:14

"Real Republican."

Republican and Proud!

"Just the kind of mindless drivel I would expect from someone who would support the likes of the RIRA and CIRA."

I have a mind and it is working just fine thank you very much and I support Irish patriots who are trying to liberate Ireland from British tyranny. What are you doing about it? Nothing.

"Your arrogance is staggering, believing that you know better than the people of this country what is best for them."

I know what is best for them - freedom from British rule. The fact that the people don't know that they are enslaved by the Brits speaks volumes. The men of 1916 had to launch a Rising because nothing else would shake the Irish people who at that time supported the Irish Parliamentary Party collaborators and Redmondites who supported the Great War.
Today Northern Ireland is used as a base for British forces and two British mercenaries on their way to kill innocent Afghans got their just deserts from Irish patriots.

""The people of this country are educated, intelligent and know exactly what they want - peace."

The people of this country are brainwashed, mindless and do not know they are enslaved body and soul by the British.

"If they don't want murder and bombs then you intend to give it to them anyway as it will be better i the long run."

Precisely. Irish freedom will be won in the end and the people of Ireland will be free. We are not looking for thanks. When the Irish people are free that will be reward enough for us.

"What utter pish!"

Irish freedom is not "utter pish" but our sacred birth right.

"The peace process will succeed and the British will withdraw due to plitical dialect and due to people working together and forgetting the past."

Ireland is partitioned into a British statelet in "Northern Ireland" and a British satelite state in the "Republic of Ireland" used as an aircraft carrier for American war planes.

"History will judge that as the deciding factor in the Irish question."

When Irish liberty is one by armed struggle then history will judge us right. History is made by heroes prepared to lay down their lives and shed their blood for Mother Ireland.

"It will, as it alreay does (look at Omagh) regard the RIRA and CIRA as what they are - a bunch of blood thirsty criminals who hide behind a cause to further their own ends and not giving a damn for the people of Ireland."

The Omagh bomb was intended to attack the Omagh courthouse, the seat of Crown law and order, but unfortunately the volunteers were forced to abandon the car on Market St. A clear warning was given to Crown forces and innocents were deliberately and murderously herded toward the bomb. The Brits had the volunteers under surveillance and a tracking device was on the car. The bomb was actually detonated by British remote control. It was designed to destroy the armed struggle and the carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign launched by the victims families manipulated by the British did damage to the cause.

We have learned from those mistakes but make no mistake civilian lives will be lost because it is only the deaths of civilians that will terrorise the Irish people out of slavery and terrorise the British occupation forces and British alien settlers who form an artificial majority in the 6 occupied counties from this island.

Tiocfaidh Ar La.

Re: Dr Death

Fri Mar 13, 2009 00:02

Republican and Proud!
A noble cree. But inaccurate in your case. Maybe you should reword the word “Republican” to “Psychopath”

"I have a mind and it is working just fine thank you"
I see. That’s why you talk about killing innocent people in order to set them free.

"I support Irish patriots who are trying to liberate Ireland from British tyranny."
So do I. And every day they work with the rest of the people of this country to eventually bring that about peacefully.

"What are you doing about it? Nothing."
Well I won’t be going out to murder people, plant bombs, destroy lives, businesses or destroy the dividends of 10 years of peace, if thats wha you mean..

"I know what is best for them - freedom from British rule. The fact that the people don't know that they are enslaved by the Brits speaks volumes."
This sounds like a line from some surreal comedy. Because people don’t agree with your motives and your methods, they are brainwashed puppets incapable of thinking for themselves, so you will do it for them. I would suggest you look up the words “freedom” and “democracy” in the dictionary, but you would just end up going on about brainwashing, enslavement, how killing people to set them free was the best option, etc again.

"The men of 1916 had to launch a Rising because nothing else would shake the Irish people who at that time supported the Irish Parliamentary Party collaborators and Redmondites who supported the Great War.
Today Northern Ireland is used as a base for British forces and two British mercenaries on their way to kill innocent Afghans got their just deserts from Irish patriots."
Really? The last time I looked the Brits were slowly but surely withdrawing their forces from this country and would continue to do so. Now thanks to your short-sighted little friends, they’ll be sending in more of their soldiers now and increasing their armed presence again.

"The people of this country are brainwashed, mindless and do not know they are enslaved body and soul by the British."
This is the kind of pure unadulterated shite which you would expect to come out of the mouths of some of the fundamentalists in third world countries, where the lack of education combined with pure ignorance goes some way to explain their beliefs. Its sad to think that someone in an educated country who enjoys a good standard of living could actually come out with this utter balls. The people of this country are well educated and live their lives the way they want. No one (but you) puts a gun to their head and forces them to live the lives they do.

"Precisely. Irish freedom will be won in the end and the people of Ireland will be free. "
Well, the ones who are not dead will be free. Plus the families and the victims still left alive will be free.
Yay...everybody will be happy then, right.

"We are not looking for thanks."
Just as well. You won’t get it.

"When the Irish people are free that will be reward enough for us."
You mean the survivors of your bloodbath?

"Irish freedom is not "utter pish" but our sacred birth right."
Yeah. Freedom isn’t pish. The pish is the fundamentalist bullshit about slavery, people not knowing their own minds, only murdering and killing will bring about a united Ireland, the poor besieged people of the North, etc.

"Ireland is partitioned into a British statelet in "Northern Ireland" and a British satelite state in the "Republic of Ireland" used as an aircraft carrier for American war planes."
So presumably you intend to kill anyone in the Irish government who does not conform with this idealistic Irish utopia you envision, which will apparently come about after you’ve killed and maimed enough people in the North.

"When Irish liberty is one by armed struggle then history will judge us right. History is made by heroes prepared to lay down their lives and shed their blood for Mother Ireland."
Yeah, I‘m sure the SS, the NKVD, the Stazi, the Fedayeen and countless other armed thugs were told the same thing as they went merrily on their way and killed the people who disagreed with them. History certainly doesn’t see them as heros. History certainly doesn’t see the RIRA as heroes. The Omagh bomb is firmly written in the history books. Ask any of the brainwashed 99% of the Irish population (they’re called decent people by the way) if they regard you as heros.

"The Omagh bomb was intended to attack the Omagh courthouse, the seat of Crown law and order, but unfortunately the volunteers were forced to abandon the car on Market St. A clear warning was given to Crown forces and innocents were deliberately and murderously herded toward the bomb. The Brits had the volunteers under surveillance and a tracking device was on the car. The bomb was actually detonated by British remote control. It was designed to destroy the armed struggle and the carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign launched by the victims families manipulated by the British did damage to the cause."
God you are truely pathetic. The RIRA planned the attack. The RIRA made the bomb. The RIRA executed the attack. The RIRA knew the damage that was possible. The RIRA went ahead and did it anyway. Did they plant the bomb to go off in the middle of the night when the streets would be clear? No, they picked the busiest part of the day. The fact that you are trying to pass the blame on to the Crown forces belies belief. How contemptible!

"We have learned from those mistakes but make no mistake civilian lives will be lost because it is only the deaths of civilians that will terrorise the Irish people out of slavery and terrorise the British occupation forces and British alien settlers who form an artificial majority in the 6 occupied counties from this island."
Kill the people to set them free. Brilliant! You bang on about how terrible it is for people to be enslaved one minute and then mandate killing them the next. How twisted. The more people you kill, the more public opinion will turn against you.

You are the real enemies of the Irish people now and the biggest threat to Irish unity. The more you kill, the more you terrorise, the more you brutalise, the more public opinion will turn against you. Just remember, one the day that the Irish and British Governments, with the backing of the people, will sanction their special forces to go out surgically remove you all like the cancer you are.

Time for men in white coats

by Non-Republican

Fri Mar 13, 2009 07:09

It is true that Real republican writes things that are consistent with RSF and 32CSM positions. However, his/her writing is so clearly demented that it seems to me to be some kind of spoof. It is however hard to be sure, since the position of these groups is in general consistent with this mindset, and is beyond potty. There is as much point in arguing with it as there is in asking a madman for a rational account of his delusions. A phone call to the men in white coats might be more helpful.

Atlantis.

by Englishman

Fri Mar 13, 2009 08:13

Does anybody really believe that any part of this Island is subject to "British Tyranny" ?

The people who oppressed Northern Catholics were their fellow Irish Protestants.

The British have no interest in this country.

Most English people would cheer if troublesome Northern Ireland sank forever into the Atlantic.

I know.

I'm English.

Agree

by Irishman

Fri Mar 13, 2009 08:27

"Englishman" hit the nail on the head.

When the the English government minister Reginald Maudling was waiting on a plane to leave Belfast he said:

"What a bloody awful country. I need a Brandy....make that a double."
.

omagh

by democrat

Fri Mar 13, 2009 09:19

FTO : "Real Republican".

Republicanism was actually founded to fight for the rights of man against feudalism, despots, supporting the right of parliament over monarchy, freedom of throught etc, universal sufferage, its basis is liberalism.

Problem is in Ireland many who claim this title are actually reactionary nationalists rather then progressives.

As for sectarianism, yes they are sectarian because they support one section of the community rather then the working class.

Omagh showed many in the RIRA movement were very wealthy, these people attack minimum wage workers.

As for Omagh, three warnings were given by the bomb drivers, all in different locations, it was recorded thats the reality.

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No more killings

Comments (14 of 14)