This is a series explaining the 8 Points of Unity of the Workers Solidarity Movement - an anarchist organisation active on the island of Ireland. [Download PDF of these explanations]
The WSM regularly discusses, debates and decides on what our collective political approach is. The Points of Unity are the most basic political agreement necessary to be a WSM member or supporter. They are 8 short points which outline the anarchism the WSM stands for.
As it’s been almost a year since March for Choice 2016, I decided to reflect on what was to be the first of many protests against the State over my right to choose.
Without much luck considering the weather and bus strike circumstances, it was a wonderful day to be among the 25,000 that marched the streets of Dublin on a rainy Saturday afternoon in September. There was a certain atmosphere that was indescribable, among the thousands of flags, posters, chants, smiles, flares, megaphones and umbrellas it was day that I will never forget. On a National level the March for Choice was something much needed in the media to refocus attention on repealing the Eighth Amendment. With Pro-Life campaigns in full swing, between leaflets at churches and canvassers at my door, a show of strength - of young people like me mobilising, was needed to make it very clear that they are the receding tide.
We are in the 4th decade of the struggle to get rid of the 8th amendment - no one under the age of 52 could even have voted for it. But this year should be the year and that's why everyone should be on the March for Choice in Dublin, September 30th.
The 6th annual March for Choice takes place September 30th in Dublin and once more we are bringing together an anarchist bloc for the march - join us on the day.
It's going to be an important march as the government have promised a referendum next year but have not yet announced a date or indeed what we will actually be allowed to vote on. There is a real danger that rather than a vote to delete the 8th Amendment they will seek to replace it with text that would still seek to deny bodily autonomy and allow abortion access in very restricted circumstances. Some 12 people a day are forced to travel to access abortion and more use pills at home under the theoretical threat of a 14 year jail term, the danger is that many of these people would still be unable to access abortion and pregnant people would continue to find the 8th amendment denied them control in their own pregnancy.
Why have there been pickets outside massage parlours on Dorset St? Do they really pose any danger? Do these protests help those who work there, or actually make them more afraid and isolated? Watch the video below.
The alt-right have just carried out an ISIS style attack on anti-fascist protesters in Virgina killing at least one person and wounding 19. In the video you will see the car accelerating at speed down an empty street into protesters that are 50m away at an intersection, it ploughs into them without slowing down. Towards the end of the video the car can be seen reversing back up the street at speed with its front bumper hanging off. At that point it has hit people and other static cars, pushing them forward into yet more people
Video of car hitting anti-racist protestors. Let there be no confusion: this was deliberate terrorism. My prayers with victims. Stay home. pic.twitter.com/MUOZs71Pf4
— Brennan Gilmore (@brennanmgilmore) August 12, 2017
The Workers Solidarity Movement held our national conference in Dublin on the 22nd July. What follows is a brief report on the day’s proceedings.
This is direct democracy in action. If it appeals to you, you might consider finding out more about the WSM and what we anarchists are up to.
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Whenever the topic of fascism arises, whether it's a fascist group being prevented from meeting, or a gang of far-right thugs attacking someone, often someone will demur in the following way:
'You like to use the word fascism, what is fascism in your mind? That word is used to scaremonger people'
Recently anti-fascists mobilised in Dublin to cover far-right propaganda in the city centre and send a clear pro-freedom and humanist message. 500 stickers welcoming refugees, denouncing Nazism & fascism, sexism, and homophobia, supporting a pregnant person's right to choose, and so forth, were emblazoned on the social canvas.
This was partially in response to a fascist group attempting to launch in Dublin a couple weeks ago, in an esteemed lineage of micro-sects which the same begrudgers have failed to get off the ground in this country, forgetting to turn up to their own meeting while 50 anti-fascists turned out. However, they were very proud to attach 4-5 fascist stickers to Dublin lampposts (which were all scratched off promptly).
Position paper on Platformism and the WSM as collectively agreed by the July 2017 National Conference. This sits under ‘The Role of the Revolutionary Organisation’ paper, hence it doesn't repeat that material here.
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