To us, they represent little more than another vestige of a movement that long ago departed from genuine Republican principles in favour of pursuing neo-colonial power, a story that is, after all, nothing new on the island of Ireland. However, the actions they have taken recently, and the lengths to which they have gone to undermine our activists and the projects we are engaged in, are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
As an organisation, the 1916 Societies are accustomed to facing petty hostility from Sinn Féin. But the latest actions have escalated into something far more serious, ranging from outright intimidation to political censorship. It is one thing to be harassed while handing out flyers for an event to commemorate our Republican dead, or to be barred from meeting in local community halls. But in the most recent incident, attempts have been made to prevent us from creating a mural in Beechmount, West Belfast, in collaboration with international comrades. When local intimidation failed to stop the project, Sinn Féin turned its attention to our comrades abroad, exerting pressure on the political party to which they belong, the Catalan ERC (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya).
Following a barrage of phone calls, the activists involved were forced to withdraw the party logo from the mural. Yet even that did not satisfy Sinn Féin. They continued their campaign of harassment until the young activists' trip to Ireland was cancelled altogether. The question, then, is what explains such a low and cowardly response from Sinn Féin? Why would a party that claims the mantle of Republicanism act in such a vile manner, so utterly antithetical to the principles it purports to uphold? As far as the 1916 Societies are concerned. The answer lies in an article published in the Irish News by Patrick Murphy, which suggests that Sinn Féin have found itself stuck in a cul-de-sac, and that their actions are now serving to cement partition rather than working to eliminate it.
Sinn Féin have reached its "emperor has no clothes' moment, as it becomes increasingly clear that they are acting as a harbinger of British rule in Ireland. Rather than engaging in any form of self-reflection or critical self-analysis, they behave like the schoolyard bully, lashing out at everyone else when things go wrong. Sinn Féin are doubling down on its harassment of anyone they perceive as a threat to their project or to their grip on power. This includes those who are genuinely working to bring about a sovereign Irish Republic. Gone are the Republican political aspirations; all that remains is self-interest and ego.
For our part, the 1916 Societies remain as committed as ever to the cause of a 32-county, all-Ireland Socialist Republic. If you are interested in bringing about genuine radical social change, both nationally and internationally, we invite you to join the 1916 Societies.
