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Press Release: “General Strike needed to take political power from the wealthy elite” – 1% Network national |
anti-capitalism |
press release
 Wednesday November 24, 2010 22:33 by onepercent Network - onepercent Network
 The 1% Network has called on all workers to attend the march organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Saturday morning next to “show their opposition to the anti-people policies of the Irish government, the European Central Bank and the IMF”. 
The 1% Network has called on all workers to attend the march organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Saturday morning next to “show their opposition to the anti-people policies of the Irish government, the European Central Bank and the IMF”. “It’s important that Saturday’s march is a large showing of public anger at the economic policies currently being implemented,” said Brian Leeson 1% Network spokesperson, “but we know that ICTU will not lead a real fightback.” “In fact ICTU have accepted the government’s cuts agenda,” Mr. Leeson continued, “they just want them to be spread out over a longer period of time. What is needed therefore is that people use Saturday’s march as a springboard from which to organise a real fightback aimed at taking political power away from the wealthy elite and constructing a new society based on fairness, justice and equality.” “1% of the population owns 34% of the wealth,” said Gregor Kerr, 1% Network spokesperson. “This concentration of wealth naturally leads to a similar concentration of political power. While this wealth and power divide exists, society can never be run in a fair and democratic manner.” “But it doesn’t have to be like this,” went on Mr. Kerr. “Clearly those who have such power are not going to give it up easily. But we are many and they are few and we have the ability to organise to defeat them. The way in which they can be defeated is through the organisation of a general strike. They need our labour, by withdrawing it we can show where real power lies.” “ICTU won’t organise such a general strike,” concluded Brian Leeson. “Therefore it is up to each one of us in our workplaces, in our trade unions, in our residents and community associations to begin to build a strong, united campaign and to begin the process of working towards that general strike. Our message is simple - The 1% have the wealth. We have to take the power.” Statement Ends Note to Editor: The 1% network is a coalition of socialist groups which has come together to oppose the cutback agenda of the government and to promote a socialist alternative to the current socio-economic system. Organisations within the coalition include éirígí, Irish Socialist Network, Seomra Spraoi and the Workers Solidarity Movement. The name of the coalition was chosen to highlight the fact that just 1% of the population control in excess of 34% of the wealth of the state. For more information, contact Gregor Kerr 086 1501151 or Brian Leeson 086 8071010 or log onto www.onepercentnetwork.org |
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Comments (2 of 2)
Jump To Comment: 2 1I said i lost faith in irish people after Lisbon but saturday and over the next while is time to redeem ourselves. I was always sceptical of the idea of symbolic actions but I know a lot of people who have nothin to lose and are of the opinion that if we mobilise enough people we should really push the boundaries so at least our children can say we did not take it all lyin down. Mass civil disobedience is the way forward and I hope it is tested on saturday. sayin that Im a bit wary of the route of the march by the quays, make sure to bring your swimmin togs in case Cops try to drive us into the Liffey
I fully agree with the call for a national strike to force out the present government and transform the Irish political system.
See you all at the Demo on Sat. Lets have banners calling for a national strike.
The following letter was published in the Irish Times on Sat 19 Nov.
Expressions of, anger, resignation, disgust, shame and deep depression will achieve nothing in the present crisis. We must take positive action and do something. We do not have a real government at present, so we are in a state of virtual anarchy, and every extra day of such anarchy is causing further damage, that will have to be paid for by our grandchildren. Our sham government is driving the country towards the edge of cliff, so we the people need to stop the country and turn it around. The self-serving Fianna Fail and Green hypocrites will not resign but will continue to the last possible day to maximise their ministerial and TD pay-checks and pensions. We need a national strike now to force a general election, before Christmas, and before any deal with the ECB/IMF is agreed. Any deals or national budgets brought in by the present regime will have no mandate from the people of Ireland. This national strike must be all-encompassing, and include public and private sector, the young, the old, the Gardai and the Defence Forces. Enough is enough, we need to re-establish our republic and take back our country. We must do this now to restore the honour and self-respect of the Irish people, otherwise we will deserve the shame that has been forced upon us. We must do this peacefully but with firm determination, otherwise many people will be destitute, and many will die because of lack of adequate medical care and essential support services.
Edward Horgan, Newtown, Castletroy, Limerick.