Post by RedFlag32 on Jun 18, 2007 15:13:28 GMT
Bodenstown Commemoration of Theobald Wolfe Tone
A Chairde, Comrades, Fellow Republicans
We have come here today to commemorate the life and legacy of Theobald Wolfe Tone.His life was characterised by the struggle for an Irish Republic and his continuing legacy has been the continuation of that same struggle, passed
down from one generation to the next.Many of our lives have been touched in one way or another by that struggle.
Our opinions and our values have been shaped by our committment to the ideal of Irish freedom.Today we renew that commitment.
However ,we must also acknowledge that the difficulties Republicans face today are enormous. The current political status quo,based on the Good Friday Agreement and the restoration of Stormont have done untold damage to the
prospects of establishing an Irish Republic.
On top of this, the Republican Movement has been split and fragmented beyond recognition. Many of us are disheartened. Many are disgusted by former comrades who betrayed all we fought for and all that Wolfe Tone fought for.
For those who still believe in the Republican cause, the great challenge of re-building the movement has been laid before us. The theme of todays commemoration is unity amongst Republicans.
The fact that this gathering has been jointly agreed among a range of groups and individuals is a small but positive step in the right direction.
There are many thorny issues to be resolved but we are confident that these too can be resolved if we can build up goodwill among the members of the Republican
community.
There are positive factors too. Vast resources of skills and experience exist within our community. These need to be tapped into and channelled into progressive political actions.
In the interests of building Republican unity, we should be careful not to fall into the trap of vilifying Sinn Fein supporters. For the most part , It is the leadership who are the villains.
It is our job to win back the ordinary Republican people and we are confident of doing this by winning the
argument and by making our agenda relevant to our communities, the working class Irish Republican Community.
The recent electoral reversal suffered by Sinn Fein in the Free State has begun to show the limitations of their strategy and has served as a reality check for the more naive who actually believe the Adams-speak that the agreement and Stormont are part of a transition to a United Ireland in time for the
centenary of 1916.
We know that nothing could be further from the truth. The British occupation has been cemented for the time being, although it is not politically correct to say so in certain circles.
The bottom line is that right now, some degree of unity of mind and purpose among Republicans is essential. Today, we want to send a message out to all Republicans right across the island, to the thousands of ex-prisoners and internees, to the networks of safe houses, to people who were arrested, who protested on the streets or who put a coin into the pdf box.
The message is simple: We acknowledge your contribution and we thank you but we need your help again to ensure that the flame is kept alive and have ownership of it. Never a return to any type of fascist leadership.
Ex-POW's and Concerned Republicans against RUC/PSNI & MI5 was a pressure group that served its purpose when Sinn Fein betrayed Republicanism by endorsing the British
Crown forces. Now, a broader front with a positive agenda is required.
The Ex-POW's group has been dissolved and regrouped to form the Republicans Network for Unity. This network will undertake the tasks we have heard of today and will ensure a proper place for young Republicans who represent the
future of us all.
Those of us who have experienced all types of oppression have a responsibility to reach and embrace our youth so that they may be aware of all types of danger which will lie ahead. We must guide and advise our young people so that they with our assistance can lead us to the Republic.
Go Raibh Maith Agat
A Chairde, Comrades, Fellow Republicans
We have come here today to commemorate the life and legacy of Theobald Wolfe Tone.His life was characterised by the struggle for an Irish Republic and his continuing legacy has been the continuation of that same struggle, passed
down from one generation to the next.Many of our lives have been touched in one way or another by that struggle.
Our opinions and our values have been shaped by our committment to the ideal of Irish freedom.Today we renew that commitment.
However ,we must also acknowledge that the difficulties Republicans face today are enormous. The current political status quo,based on the Good Friday Agreement and the restoration of Stormont have done untold damage to the
prospects of establishing an Irish Republic.
On top of this, the Republican Movement has been split and fragmented beyond recognition. Many of us are disheartened. Many are disgusted by former comrades who betrayed all we fought for and all that Wolfe Tone fought for.
For those who still believe in the Republican cause, the great challenge of re-building the movement has been laid before us. The theme of todays commemoration is unity amongst Republicans.
The fact that this gathering has been jointly agreed among a range of groups and individuals is a small but positive step in the right direction.
There are many thorny issues to be resolved but we are confident that these too can be resolved if we can build up goodwill among the members of the Republican
community.
There are positive factors too. Vast resources of skills and experience exist within our community. These need to be tapped into and channelled into progressive political actions.
In the interests of building Republican unity, we should be careful not to fall into the trap of vilifying Sinn Fein supporters. For the most part , It is the leadership who are the villains.
It is our job to win back the ordinary Republican people and we are confident of doing this by winning the
argument and by making our agenda relevant to our communities, the working class Irish Republican Community.
The recent electoral reversal suffered by Sinn Fein in the Free State has begun to show the limitations of their strategy and has served as a reality check for the more naive who actually believe the Adams-speak that the agreement and Stormont are part of a transition to a United Ireland in time for the
centenary of 1916.
We know that nothing could be further from the truth. The British occupation has been cemented for the time being, although it is not politically correct to say so in certain circles.
The bottom line is that right now, some degree of unity of mind and purpose among Republicans is essential. Today, we want to send a message out to all Republicans right across the island, to the thousands of ex-prisoners and internees, to the networks of safe houses, to people who were arrested, who protested on the streets or who put a coin into the pdf box.
The message is simple: We acknowledge your contribution and we thank you but we need your help again to ensure that the flame is kept alive and have ownership of it. Never a return to any type of fascist leadership.
Ex-POW's and Concerned Republicans against RUC/PSNI & MI5 was a pressure group that served its purpose when Sinn Fein betrayed Republicanism by endorsing the British
Crown forces. Now, a broader front with a positive agenda is required.
The Ex-POW's group has been dissolved and regrouped to form the Republicans Network for Unity. This network will undertake the tasks we have heard of today and will ensure a proper place for young Republicans who represent the
future of us all.
Those of us who have experienced all types of oppression have a responsibility to reach and embrace our youth so that they may be aware of all types of danger which will lie ahead. We must guide and advise our young people so that they with our assistance can lead us to the Republic.
Go Raibh Maith Agat