Sinn Féin Republican Youth

Sinn Féin Republican Youth
Founded c. 1997 [1][2]
Headquarters 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
also:
53 Falls Road, Belfast
Ideology Irish republicanism
Left wing nationalism
Democratic socialism
Mother party Sinn Féin
European affiliation European Network of Democratic Young Left
Website
sinnfein.ie

Sinn Féin Republican Youth (known as Ógra Shinn Féin until 2012) (Irish: Sinn Féin Óige Phoblachtach) is the youth wing of the Irish political party Sinn Féin. SFRY is active and organised throughout Ireland.[3] Upon its establishment in 1997 it was originally known as Sinn Féin Youth; it changed to Ógra Shinn Féin in 1999. A number of Sinn Féin's elected representatives are also members of SFRY.[4][5] Although it does not publish its membership figures, SFRY is believed to have about 500 activists. It has also been described as "One of the largest and most active youth wings" in Ireland.[6]

Membership

Membership is free and open to anyone aged 16 to 25 who supports a united Ireland and the establishment of a democratic socialist republic.

Organisation

Sinn Féin Republican Youth is organised in all 32 counties of Ireland, in both local communities and universities.[3] Its structure is similar to that of Sinn Féin. SFRY cumainn are largely autonomous from local Sinn Féin structures.[7]

Campaigns and issues

Members of Ógra Shinn Féin in Derry 2008 painting a Royal Mail postbox as part of the Green Post-Box Campaign.
An Ógra Shinn Féin banner drop on O'Connell Street in April 2009, as part of the Save 16 Moore Street campaign

The long-term aim of Sinn Féin Republican Youth is "to recruit young dedicated activists to ensure the continuity and successful conclusion of the struggle" to establish a 32 County Democratic Socialist Republic.[10]

Specific issues of primary importance include: Irish unity and independence; workers' rights; the protection of the environment; an end to sectarianism and racism in Ireland; decent housing for the people; weekend elections and referendums; education; supporting the Shell to Sea campaign,[11] voting age to be lowered to 16;[12] and the promotion of the Irish language (Gaeilge).

The following is a list of some campaigns which Sinn Féin Republican Youth has been involved in:

Recent events

Sinn Féin Republican Youth members with Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Máirtín Ó Muilleoir's Westminster election launch in February 2015.

Upon the establishment of Sinn Féin Youth, a logo incorporating a petrol bomb, symbolising the militant origins of republican youth organisations, and an Easter lily was adopted. The words Sinn Féin Youth, which encircled the logo were changed to Ógra Shinn Féin in 1999 when the name of the organisation was changed.

As part of the transformation of the Republican Movement to reflect changing realities brought about by the peace process, a decision was taken to change the logo, and at the 2004 National Congress the green star and orange graffiti-style logo was adopted. The logo was again changed at the 2006 Congress when the current logo, incorporating the words Ógra Shinn Féin, the Starry Plough, the Sunburst Flag and the "Freedom Lark" was adopted. Ógra Sinn Féin has been criticised by the Young Unionists for failing to remove the petrol bomb logo from a number of its wall murals.[24]

At the Special Congress in 2007 called during the policing debates in Sinn Féin, Ógra Shinn Féin took the controversial step of voting not to support the motion put to the Sinn Féin Special Ard Fheis by the Ard Chomhairle. This was in opposition to the leadership of Sinn Féin. In their motion that was passed at the Special Congress OSF stated: "We will recognise the decision made by the Ard Fheis."

Affiliations

International

Sinn Féin Republican Youth has strong connections with a number of pro-independence and socialist groups throughout the world, including:

Notable members and former members

Members of Ógra Shinn Féin (along with SWP and WSM) protesting against the reintroduction of college fees, Dublin, February 2009. Note the use of the sunburst flag, a symbol of Fianna Éireann

National organisers

Sinn Féin Youth members in South Armagh 1997

Publications

The front cover of Awaiting the Lark written and published by Sinn Féin Republican Youth

Sinn Féin Republican Youth publishes a quarterly republican youth magazine entitled Splanc. The magazine was launched in 2001, eventually ceasing publication around 2006. It was re-launched in 2007, primarily in online format, with the same name, Splanc (which is the Irish language translation of Spark).[43]

ÓSF has published its own book Awaiting the Lark in 2006 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the 1981 Irish hunger strike. The book includes interviews with many well known Irish republicans such as Michelle Gildernew, Barry McElduff, Sean Crowe, Seanna Walsh and Martina Anderson. It includes photographs from the funerals of the hunger strikers and protests that took place around the time. The book also includes information about Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg who died on hunger strike in 1974 and 1976 respectively.[44][45]

Notable actions and incidents

Sinn Féin Republican Youth frequently attracts media attention or causes controversy due to some of its activities.

Some notable examples include:

"Britain, It's Time 2 Go" sticker
ÓSF sticker calling for the Royal Ulster Constabulary to be disbanded

See also

References

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  2. "About Ogra Shinn Fein". Sebelfastsinnfein.com. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  3. 1 2 "About Ogra Shinn Féin". Ogra Shinn Féin. 12 March 2009. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  4. "Large Ógra Shinn Féin mobilisation to the Basque Country". Anphoblacht.com. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  5. "Interview with Ireland's Youngest Councillor: Johnny McGibbon". Ograshinnfein.blogspot.com. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  6. Hildebrandt & Daiber (ed.), Cornelia & Brigit (2009). The Left in Europe: Political Parties and Party Alliances between Norway and Turkey. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. pp. 96, 97.
  7. 1 2 Cork Sinn Féin website; accessed 8 December 2014.
  8. Ógra Shinn Féin Revolutionary Handbook, pp. 19-21
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  10. "Ógra Shinn Féin Átha Cliath - The Voice of Republican Youth in Dublin". Retrieved 8 December 2014.
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  23. Ogra Revolutionary Handbook (2008 edition) Methods of Revolution, Campaigns, pp. 25, 26.
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  58. "Trinity welcomes Sinn Féin". Anphoblacht.com. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
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  61. Unknown. "News report on the auction sale incident". Youtube.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
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  64. "Postboxes restored to original colour". Newsletter.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
  65. "Green postbox MLA told to say sorry". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  66. "Ten arrested in Dublin fees protest". Ograshinnfein.blogspot.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  67. "Outcry over Nazi portrayal of Campbell". Colerainetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
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  69. Unknown. "ÓSF activist approached by PSNI to be an informer". YouTube. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  70. "Anger at SF youth massacre visit". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  71. "Willie Frazer on Sinn Féin Youth". Victims.org.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  72. "Anger at massacre site over SF visit". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  73. "Sinn Féin goes ahead with visit to site of bombing". Irishtimes.com. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  74. Steven Moore, "Top Belfast Hotel hosts pro-IRA dinner", Sunday World, 17 January 2010.
  75. 1 2 "Protest staged at Government Buildings". RTÉ News. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
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External links

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