Meeting: Defend Free Speech in Galway

by Sue Blackwell and Rumy Hasan Thu Jul 31, 2003 17:15

On 4th April 2002, Rumy Hasan (SWP member of 16 years' standing) and Sue Blackwell (SWP member of 19 years' standing) sent a joint letter of resignation to the Central Committee of the SWP. Until now, hardly anyone has seen the text of this letter and no-one outside the SWP has seen Sue's accompanying statement

by Sue Thu Jul 31, 2003 17:27

Leaving the SWP is like leaving an abusive relationship: for years you stay, hoping in vain that they will change, even that YOU will be able to play a part in changing them. In the end you have to admit that you will never change them, and if you don't leave they will change you , for the worse, maybe for ever. Funny, but that's exactly what the SWP says about the Labour Party. Once you have taken that decisive, painful step, you can finally see things in perspective and realise just how bullied you were for all those years. It takes a while to recover your self-esteem. I now feel much more confident about expressing my political views: I can vote in any meeting according to my conscience, without having to look over my shoulder or worry about what the "party line" is.

by Sean - Rebuild the I.S Thu Jul 31, 2003 18:08

Is this the party you want to belong to. Did you all know about this in Belfast or was it all kept within your PC and CC as always. Are you going to wait to be shoved or are you going to try and 'effect change'. Open your eyes yous are better than these Stalinist shites. You will have many coming with you I know.

by ollie - katalyzer Thu Jul 31, 2003 18:17

could ppl keep to the issue here. just because sth is happening ourside dublin, in, check your maps now...Galway...ppl seem content to ramble off on old news..the same is happening with the comments on the feature article...

Fuck irving

Fuck gr vs swp

Most posters (pardon the pun) think that there are serious freedom of speach issues here.

So, we need to , as the old phrase goes 'unite on the basis of what we have in common'...as we did, sucessfully, in Dublin, when they tried to do the same

by iosaf Thu Jul 31, 2003 19:45

Leaflets, pamhplets, websites, posters, stencils, music, poetry and the like are many of us communicate.
If Galway City Council is allowed to ban leaflets many social movements will be hard hit in one of the more "socially aware" cities of Ireland.

Perhaps it would be an idea to suggest that if the ban goe ahead it is only on "advertising or commercial" leaflets which I understand is the _real_ problem.

If you want to help GR Galway organised a campaign to defend the rights to free speech and assembly in Galway, one is going to be held in Java's Coffee house, Galway Thursday 7th of August at 8pm.

{didn't I do the solidarity thing there, sticking to the issue in hand and not even a little mention of the O.W.F.G.R.C.}
:-)

by reo Thu Jul 31, 2003 20:20

I noticed you even deleted my comments. my meeting was intereupted by leftist filth today. so much for you peoples belief in freedom of speech. you sould be sent to siberia to build monuments to your victims.

by Laughing boy Thu Jul 31, 2003 21:04

A comment ('reo' above) from Passage-West neo-Nazi Brian 'the Wally' Wallace! Wipe that forth from your lip Brian - you're making a holy show of yourself.

by S. - Irish SWP member Fri Aug 01, 2003 11:19

Sue is it really true that the SWP pushed for and entered a cross class socialist alliance. We are told nothing about these things and about lots of other things that are and have happened. Lots of members are reading this and other posts.

by King Mob Fri Aug 01, 2003 15:15

But shithead Brian has a point. Cheering about how you obstructed his right to leaflet and speak, while demanding that right for yourselves in Galway, stinks of fascism.