fifteen years on
By DAVID MOSS and
DANIEL PARKES demolished worst fighting News reports came in.
Dozens hurt by plastic bullets, a British
Army patrol attacked by a blast bomb on the Falls, a clash between IRA Volunteers and Army in New Lodge, a ten minute gun battle at the Rossville Flats in Derry.
their first close bullets, and it gave added poignancy to a meeting wih members from the United
Campaign Against Plastic Bullets that
Downes was killed at the internment commemoration rally two years point-blank by a plastic bullet as he rushed to try and prevent the RUC battoning and shooting men, women and children sat in the road.
their ap-
— in the young and of the
Labour principled adherence to their time
Labour
"out-Tory-thein pursuing a "bipartisan"
and years of carefully oppression.
nurtured ignorance among the party rank and file and the entrenched opposition of Trade Union leaders to any new policy which might upset and on the "hard left"
like Militant who cannot get over the
"Unionism"
trade Unionism") the Labour
Cabe who breaking limbs.
for most comrades from Britain it was fle sights on
The campaign was set up after John ago, shot
Socialist Viewpoint No. 14 November-December 1986 p35 leadership is hoping the problem will have gone away by the time they come to office.
It is essential that, throught the
Committee on Ireland, we carry out the basic tasks of education bring home to the labour movement that it is not a problem of
IRA gunmen and Loyalist bully-boys, but of British imperialism and state
In so doing we can demonstrate that the Anglo-Irish Agreement holds no promise of peace in Ireland and indeed that there is no solution this side of socialism.
On that basis we can build support for the anti-Imperialist forces waging the struggle in Ireland and for the withdrawal of British troops.
His wife Brenda tells movingly in her own words about her treatment by the authorities since her loss. No action ha been taken again the killer and she has still not received a death certificate
Others tell their own stories. The father of 14 year old Julie Livingstone, Jim Mclost his wife, Emma Groes blinded in her own home by a rubber bullet shot by a British soldier. They all have the same message. Plastic bullets are being stockpiled in Britain for use against working class people, and it is only a matter of time before they are used. That night more are fired on the streets of Belfast,
Sunday afternoon. Outside the Dunville park people begin to gather for the march up the Falls Road. Military vehicles career up and own the road or nose menacingly through the waiting crowd. Foot patrols take up firing positions behind walls and at street corners, sometimes training their riselected indivudals. It is usually a charged atmosphere, but this year particularly so.
The Ulster Freedom Fighters, a cover for the Ulster Defence Association, has declared an open season on anyone attending Republican metings, or even selling or reading Republican literature or using nationalist Black Taxis.
The Royal Marine Commandos are in town with a reputation for brutality and
provication to equal if not surpass, the Paras. And how will the RUC react?
For months they have been the target for Loyalists angry at having rerouted away from Nationalist areas to appease the Dublin government.
They are demoralised and frustrated, their restraint against the Loyalists has on occasion cracked, and now they are under pressue to show their imparitality by banning the march up the Falls Road.
Technically it is illegal, Sinn notifying the authorities of a state whose legitimacy they don't recognise.
The para-military uniformed fife and drum bands begin to form up in the road each at the head of contingents with banners carefully marshalled.
The head of the army is confronted by a line of jeeps and Saracens several deep across the road. One placard: procession is illegal. Please The RUC deputy chief constable reiterates this demand through a loudhailer.
The vanguard of the march, headed by Gerry Adams and other elected representatives, are not impressed. They affirm that "We are marching up our road." The
Japan
MANY SOCIALISTS been horrified at the sweeping electoral victory in Japan 0f Prime Nakasone.
Nakasone recently hit international headlines astounding racist outburst that brought back unpleasant memories of the fascist ideology drove the Japanese bourgeoisie into its imperialist expansion during War 2.
Castigating the American population as "less intelligent" than the Japanese, an arrogant Nakasone blamed the US racial "mix", and in particular the black and Hispanic minorities.
In view of the growing economic tensions and pressure protectionist trade war between US and lapanese bourgeoisies, statements can be more significant than a casual throw-away remark.
Meanwhile in Japan itself. wing ist Party (Active). the Communist revered Chair Otake Reiichiro, is far from downcast about this latest turn of events.
An English summary of the August 25 lead in its paper Akahata tells us that:
"The inauguration of the Natasone Cabinet which characteristically shows the political trend of recent Japan poses the basic problem of class confrontation and vehicles people the their marches retreat to
Anything could happen.
The RUC also developing situation need cameras to do it.
Fein not march to filter through.
Tension eachside street.
displays from
SOGAT against Pit Closures, attention from both sides.
standing on their tops.
Soldiers occupy neighbouring buildings while