80,000 Workers Unite Against Sectarianism in Belfast

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday January 30, 2002 18:50 by Finghín - Socialist Youth UCD info at syucd dot cjb dot net

Account of the anti Sectarian Marches in Belfast of the 18 January 2002

Socialist Youth attended the huge anti-sectarianism demonstration in Belfast today. SY worked throughout the week with
the Socialist Party, the School Students United Against Sectarianism group and Trade Union activists in organising
activities for the General Strike.

The demonstrations were called by the Trade Unions, under the enourmous pressure of ordinary
rank-and-file workers, in protest against the sectarian killing of a Postal Worker. The workers of
the North had been under threat from the Red Hand Defenders, a cover group for the UFF. The
united action of the workers quickly made the UFF withdraw their death threats.

Throughout the week leading up to the general strike, SY Belfast along with comrades from other branches put forward the alternative to sectarianism. The united action of the workers shows the way forward for
combatting sectarianism and it is also an example of how the working class can unite to defeat privatisations
and cut backs.

The Socialist Party organised a meeting after the Mass Demonstration entitled "How We Can Defeat
Sectarianism". Speakers at the well attended meeting included Kevin Lawrenson (NIPSA Treasurer), Gerry
Robinson (CWU Branch Official), Ian Beard (Regional Committee of Fire Brigade Union), Mary Cahillane
(INTO Northern Ireland Committee), Gary Mulcahy (SY Belfast), Joe Higgins and Peter Hadden (Socialist
Party). Also in attendence were leading trade unionists from the South including Denis Keane (President of
CPSU), Terry Kellagher (CPSU Executive member) and Tommy Fitzgerald of BATU. (All in unofficial capacity)