Working On The Martyrs' Road

An Irish based Maoist and member of World Peoples Resistance Movement recently visited Nepal as part of an International Brigade to construct roads in the Rebel Maoist held areas of Nepal. As well as observing the protests in the cities and villages as he made his way to the Red areas he also worked alongside rebel soldiers, farmers and workers on the Martyrs Road.

During our time in Nepalgunj, we met a young man from Kathmandu who was working for a human rights group. One evening, this man who was unaware of our political affiliations, told us of the day that the PLA had attacked the town only several weeks previously. Greatly shaken by the experience, he was to tell us that together with the uniformed soldiers of the PLA, large numbers of local Maoists with guns also appeared, some firing from rooftops in support of the guerrilla fighters.

In the revolutionary strongholds people's courts have been established where along with other issues, cases against women's exploitation have been brought to book with the combined efforts of Village Defence Committees, women's mass organizations and the people. Many cases of land usurpation of widows or single women have been restored to the injured parties through such courts. Not only those guilty of sexually exploiting women, but also many defaulting husbands who have taken to drinking and beating their wives or practicing polygamy, have been disciplined through such courts.

Pride Celebrated In Civic Offices

The first report from Pride in Dublin this year came in from Madame K describing jubliantly how "despite the rain nothing could dampen the spirits of the 2,000 or so who took part. The diverse group was well catered for, with the event concluding in a free party held on public space...Dublin Pride has not yet become the commercial entity that has caused untold problems abroad, let`s hope it stays that way".

Just like last year Indymedia's home grown batch of photographers and contributers were on the ground for Dublin's Second, newly re-named, International Pride Festival. For a selection of our contributers work see Paula G's "Sing If You're Glad To Be Gay" series, R Whelan's Photo Story and Madame K's sequence of photos and commentary.

In Budapest, Redjade checked in with local events raising"recent reports about Poland and Russia's anti-gay policies and police repression against Gay Pride demos" and negative perceptions of Eastern Europe how "one might think such repression was universal on the Eastern Pale of the EU and in Eastern/Central Europe in general. But the Budapest Pride Parade went on, as planned, without much controversy or opposition and barely much notice in the media....." << continues here >>

Other Indy Coverage: Polish Equality Parade Attacked By Far Right | Cork's First Ever Pride Parade A Success | Dublin, June 2005 Gay Pride Parade | Gay Pride Weekend in Cork, 2004 | McDowell Attacked by Ancient Order of Hibernians and Mother and Child

Meanwhile our roving report Henry McWag reported from the dregs of his can on the Labour Party's bold new move in relation to public drinking.