fbpx
Wikipedia

Connolly Youth Movement

January 01, 1970

The Connolly Youth Movement (Irish: Ógra Uí Chonghaile, often abbreviated as CYM) is an all-Ireland Marxist–Leninist youth organisation[1] named after revolutionary socialist, James Connolly. Until 2021 it was affiliated with the Communist Party of Ireland.[2] It is a member of the World Federation of Democratic Youth.[3]

Connolly Youth Movement
Ógra Uí Chonghaile
ChairpersonMorgan Ó hÉigceartaigh
Secretary GeneralTomás Ó Síocháin
Founded1963
Preceded byNorthern Ireland Young Communist League
Ideology
Mother partyN/A
Communist Party of Ireland (1963-2021)
International affiliationWFDY
MagazineForward
Websitewww.cym.ie

History and current status edit

The Connolly Youth Movement (CYM) was founded in 1963 by young people who were influenced by the Communist Party during the Dublin Housing Action struggle.[4] In 1970, with the merger of the Irish Workers' Party and Communist Party of Northern Ireland, to form the Communist Party of Ireland (CPI),[5] the Northern Ireland Young Communist League joined the CYM,[6] with Madge Davison as its general secretary.[7] The CYM disbanded in 1991 due to a reduction in membership following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and eastern and central European bloc and the resulting political crisis in the World Communist Movement.[4] However, following the resurgence of the left and anti-capitalist movement in Ireland, the CYM re-formed in 2002,[4] grouped mainly around young members of the Dublin Branch of the CPI and student activists at NUI Galway. The Connolly Youth Movement has relations with a number of young communist organisations around the world. The CYM attends the Meeting of European Communist Youth Organizations (MECYO).[8]

The CYM supported the programme of the Communist Party of Ireland until a vote of the membership rescinded it at an Extraordinary Ard Fheis on 9 January 2021.[2] The Communist Party issued a statement saying that, shortly before the split, several dual (CPI-CYM) members had been expelled for breaches of discipline and factional behaviour.[9]

Policies and ideology edit

The CYM is constitutionally a Marxist-Leninist organisation.[10] It opposes the Good Friday Agreement and the European Union.[11] In July 2022 it published a new programme, Cause of Youth, Cause of Ireland. This included a commitment to Irish unity, revival of Irish culture and promotion of the Irish language, civil rights, free education, free healthcare on an all-Ireland basis, action on climate change, a public housing programme, international solidarity, and "a comprehensive system of worker's rights".[12]

In 2020, CYM's then General Secretary Alex Homits stated that "poverty and trafficking are the leading creators of sex workers."[13] The CYM have offered solidarity to those engaged in sex work, and support for decriminalisation of the purchase of sex.[14]

The CYM condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an "inter-capitalist conflict" and a "highly dangerous and irresponsible course of action which will lead to the loss of many lives and create a fusebox of conflict". It criticised the Ukrainian government and said the eastward enlargement of NATO was a cause of the war. The CYM also recognizes the Russian-controlled breakaway states of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic in Ukraine.[15]

The CYM has denied China's human rights abuses against Uyghurs.[16]

The CYM opposed the Israeli invasion of Gaza, calling it a "genocide",[17] and supported calls to expel the Israeli ambassador.[18] Previously they have also called for the release of Palestinian political prisoner and expressed support for Palestinian self-determination and opposition to Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank.[19] The CYM is also a supporter of the BDS campaign.[20]

Activities edit

In 2017, members of the Cork branch of the Connolly Youth Movement occupied and re-purposed three derelict buildings near UCC as part of an initiative to highlight rising levels of homelessness.[21][22] In 2018, two of these buildings were repossessed by the Garda Emergency Response Unit acting in conjunction with a contractor for the O'Dwyer Asset Management Company that owned the vacant properties.[23][24][25] The first occupation, still ongoing as of 2021, is referred to as Connolly Barracks by the organisation.[26]

The Connolly Youth Movement was involved in highly publicised instances of direct action in 2018[27] and 2019[28][29] when members of the movement disrupted Fine Gael public meetings in Cork in protest of government policy on homelessness and wealth inequality. One such action was criticised by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who stated "I think no matter what political party you come from or what your political views, we should all be committed to democracy and freedom of speech and trying to shout other people down and trying to shut down their meetings is profoundly anti-democratic".[30] The CYM responded that it had a right to challenge and question the government on policy issues.[31] In a March 2020 interview, CYM General Secretary Alex Homits said "Socialism will not and cannot be delivered through the ballot box and the CYM and its membership will not lie about this or endorse those who do".[13]

In July 2020, Connolly Youth activists, supported by members of Saoradh, the Irish Republican Socialist Party and Lasair Dhearg, smashed an Irish Freedom Party stall in Belfast.[32]

In March 2023, members of the Connolly Youth Movement disrupted an event in Dublin City University where Bertie Ahern was receiving an honorary doctorate, calling him an "architect of the financial crisis" before being removed from the venue.[33]

In June 2023, Connolly Youth activists holding an anti-NATO banner disrupted a forum discussing Irish defence policy. Micheál Martin, who was giving a speech, accused them of being undemocratic and trying to shut down debate.[34]

Publications edit

The CYM irregularly publishes a print magazine titled Forward, with online articles published under the same title.[35]

Affiliations edit

Prominent past members of CYM edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Constitution". Connolly Youth Movement. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b "CYM Statement on Disaffiliation". Connolly Youth Movement. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "CYM participates in CENA camp 2022, Madrid - Connolly Youth Movement". cym.ie. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2024. Between 26 and 28 June 2022, members of the Connolly Youth Movement took part in the Committee of Europe and North America (CENA) Camp in Madrid, organised by the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY).
  4. ^ a b c "Connolly Youth Movement" (PDF). Connolly Youth Movement. p. 1. Retrieved 9 April 2024. The Connolly Youth Movement (CYM) is an all-Ireland socialist youth organisation supportive of the Communist Party of Ireland. It was originally founded in 1963 by a group of young socialist republicans inspired by the Irish Workers' Party (forerunner of the CPI) who were involved in the Dublin Housing Action Campaign. Following the crisis in socialism in the early 90s, the CYM declined in membership. However, in 2002 it was revived.
  5. ^ Milotte, Mike; Gill; Macmillan (1984). Communism in Modern Ireland: The Pursuit of the Workers' Republic since 1916. Dublin: University of Michigan. pp. 281–282. ISBN 9780841909700.
  6. ^ Norton, Alexander (4 March 2020). "Red ambition: the Connolly Youth Movement in 2020". The Morning Star. Retrieved 9 April 2024. Alex Homits: This congress coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first all-Ireland one in 1970. In 1970 the Young Communist League of Northern Ireland and the southern connection that was the Connolly Youth Movement unified.
  7. ^ a b "Communist Party of Ireland". communistpartyofireland.ie. Retrieved 9 April 2024. In 1970 the Communist Youth League merged with the Connolly Youth Movement (founded in 1963), and Madge Davison became the first general secretary of the all-Ireland CYM.
  8. ^ "Message of support of the Communist Youth Organizations". Communist Party of Greece. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  9. ^ Statement on CPI-CYM relations, Communist Party of Ireland, 9 February 2021.
  10. ^ Twomey, Fergal, ed. (10 February 2022). "What Does it Mean to be an Unreconstructed Communist?". Foward. No. 33. Connolly Youth Movement. p. 2. Retrieved 9 April 2024 – via issuu.com. The Connolly Youth Movement is a Marxist-Leninist Socialist Republican organisation and must remain so.
  11. ^ "Cause of Youth, Cause of Ireland". Connolly Youth Movement. 2022. pp. 17–19.
  12. ^ "Programme | Clár -". 7 November 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  13. ^ a b Norton, Alexander (4 March 2020). "Red ambition: the Connolly Youth Movement in 2020". Morning Star. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  14. ^ CYM Editorial Team (4 June 2020). "When Sex Workers Win, All Women Win". cym.ie. from the original on 19 August 2020.
  15. ^ "The CYM condemns war in Ukraine". Connolly Youth Movement. 25 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Uyghurs and China: The Facts". Connolly Youth Movement. 27 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Israel begins most genocidal operation in Rafah - Forward". cym.ie. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  18. ^ "UCC students protest for Palestinians and call for Israeli ambassador to be expelled". Irish Independent. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024. Members of UCC's Connolly Youth Movement, protest for Palestinians and call for Israeli ambassador to be expelled.
  19. ^ "Statement Calling For The Release Of Palestinian Prisoners". cym.ie. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024. We take this opportunity to reiterate our condemnation of the genocidal policy of the Zionist State of Israel against the Palestinian people, as well as our firm solidarity with the Palestinian cause and their legitimate struggle against the Zionist occupation, the right to self-determination and the return of Palestinian refugees to their lands.
  20. ^ "The Irish government supports Israel - Forward". cym.ie. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024. That is why CYM activists have consistently engaged in and supported actions calling for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, such as those being carried out regularly in Belfast.
  21. ^ "Group squat in Cork house to highlight crisis". Evening Echo. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Students face eviction from liberated building | University Express". UCC Express. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Gardaí evict anti-homelessness protestors". Evening Echo. 1 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Armed Response Unit Break Up Political Protest in Cork, Ireland". CYM. 26 July 2018.
  25. ^ Mullally, Una. "North Frederick Street looks like proof that the system is conspiring against the people". The Irish Times.
  26. ^ "Cork's Connolly Barracks". Hot Press. 23 January 2020.
  27. ^ "Connolly Youth Movement Disrupt Simon Coveney Event in UCC | University Express". UCC Express. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  28. ^ Duffy, Rónán (May 2019). "'Have you a job? Have you a job?' – Tense exchanges as FG Cork meeting disrupted by protesters". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  29. ^ Roche, Barry. "Varadkar calls protesters who halted Fine Gael meeting 'anti-democratic'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  30. ^ Roche, Barry (1 May 2019). "Varadkar calls protesters who halted Fine Gael meeting 'anti-democratic'". Irish Times. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  31. ^ "Taoiseach brands Cork protest 'profoundly undemocratic'". Breaking News. 2 May 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  32. ^ "Activists 'evict' Far-Right Irish party as it sets up stall in centre of Belfast". Belfast Telegraph. 27 July 2020.
  33. ^ McConnell, Daniel (2 March 2023). "Student protestors disrupt Bertie Ahern conferral saying he 'does not deserve any award'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  34. ^ "Martin hits out at 'incoherent' protesters who were removed during forum speech in Cork". Irish Examiner. 22 June 2023.
  35. ^ "Forward". CYM.
  36. ^ "Communist Party of Ireland". www.communistpartyofireland.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  37. ^ Yearbook on International Communist Affairs. Stanford University. 1980. p. 177.
  38. ^ "Manus O'Riordan obituary: A man of high intellect with many passions". The Irish Times.
  39. ^ "Heckling Dev". History Ireland.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Archive of Forward Issues

January 01, 1970
connolly, youth, movement, irish, Ógra, chonghaile, often, abbreviated, ireland, marxist, leninist, youth, organisation, named, after, revolutionary, socialist, james, connolly, until, 2021, affiliated, with, communist, party, ireland, member, world, federatio. The Connolly Youth Movement Irish ogra Ui Chonghaile often abbreviated as CYM is an all Ireland Marxist Leninist youth organisation 1 named after revolutionary socialist James Connolly Until 2021 it was affiliated with the Communist Party of Ireland 2 It is a member of the World Federation of Democratic Youth 3 Connolly Youth Movement ogra Ui ChonghaileChairpersonMorgan o hEigceartaighSecretary GeneralTomas o SiochainFounded1963Preceded byNorthern Ireland Young Communist LeagueIdeologyMarxism Leninism Irish republicanism EuroscepticismMother partyN A Communist Party of Ireland 1963 2021 International affiliationWFDYMagazineForwardWebsitewww wbr cym wbr ie Contents 1 History and current status 2 Policies and ideology 3 Activities 4 Publications 5 Affiliations 6 Prominent past members of CYM 7 References 8 External linksHistory and current status editThe Connolly Youth Movement CYM was founded in 1963 by young people who were influenced by the Communist Party during the Dublin Housing Action struggle 4 In 1970 with the merger of the Irish Workers Party and Communist Party of Northern Ireland to form the Communist Party of Ireland CPI 5 the Northern Ireland Young Communist League joined the CYM 6 with Madge Davison as its general secretary 7 The CYM disbanded in 1991 due to a reduction in membership following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and eastern and central European bloc and the resulting political crisis in the World Communist Movement 4 However following the resurgence of the left and anti capitalist movement in Ireland the CYM re formed in 2002 4 grouped mainly around young members of the Dublin Branch of the CPI and student activists at NUI Galway The Connolly Youth Movement has relations with a number of young communist organisations around the world The CYM attends the Meeting of European Communist Youth Organizations MECYO 8 The CYM supported the programme of the Communist Party of Ireland until a vote of the membership rescinded it at an Extraordinary Ard Fheis on 9 January 2021 2 The Communist Party issued a statement saying that shortly before the split several dual CPI CYM members had been expelled for breaches of discipline and factional behaviour 9 Policies and ideology editThis section relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this section by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources Connolly Youth Movement news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2024 Learn how and when to remove this message The CYM is constitutionally a Marxist Leninist organisation 10 It opposes the Good Friday Agreement and the European Union 11 In July 2022 it published a new programme Cause of Youth Cause of Ireland This included a commitment to Irish unity revival of Irish culture and promotion of the Irish language civil rights free education free healthcare on an all Ireland basis action on climate change a public housing programme international solidarity and a comprehensive system of worker s rights 12 In 2020 CYM s then General Secretary Alex Homits stated that poverty and trafficking are the leading creators of sex workers 13 The CYM have offered solidarity to those engaged in sex work and support for decriminalisation of the purchase of sex 14 The CYM condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an inter capitalist conflict and a highly dangerous and irresponsible course of action which will lead to the loss of many lives and create a fusebox of conflict It criticised the Ukrainian government and said the eastward enlargement of NATO was a cause of the war The CYM also recognizes the Russian controlled breakaway states of the Donetsk People s Republic and the Luhansk People s Republic in Ukraine 15 The CYM has denied China s human rights abuses against Uyghurs 16 The CYM opposed the Israeli invasion of Gaza calling it a genocide 17 and supported calls to expel the Israeli ambassador 18 Previously they have also called for the release of Palestinian political prisoner and expressed support for Palestinian self determination and opposition to Israel s illegal settlements in the West Bank 19 The CYM is also a supporter of the BDS campaign 20 Activities editIn 2017 members of the Cork branch of the Connolly Youth Movement occupied and re purposed three derelict buildings near UCC as part of an initiative to highlight rising levels of homelessness 21 22 In 2018 two of these buildings were repossessed by the Garda Emergency Response Unit acting in conjunction with a contractor for the O Dwyer Asset Management Company that owned the vacant properties 23 24 25 The first occupation still ongoing as of 2021 is referred to as Connolly Barracks by the organisation 26 The Connolly Youth Movement was involved in highly publicised instances of direct action in 2018 27 and 2019 28 29 when members of the movement disrupted Fine Gael public meetings in Cork in protest of government policy on homelessness and wealth inequality One such action was criticised by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who stated I think no matter what political party you come from or what your political views we should all be committed to democracy and freedom of speech and trying to shout other people down and trying to shut down their meetings is profoundly anti democratic 30 The CYM responded that it had a right to challenge and question the government on policy issues 31 In a March 2020 interview CYM General Secretary Alex Homits said Socialism will not and cannot be delivered through the ballot box and the CYM and its membership will not lie about this or endorse those who do 13 In July 2020 Connolly Youth activists supported by members of Saoradh the Irish Republican Socialist Party and Lasair Dhearg smashed an Irish Freedom Party stall in Belfast 32 In March 2023 members of the Connolly Youth Movement disrupted an event in Dublin City University where Bertie Ahern was receiving an honorary doctorate calling him an architect of the financial crisis before being removed from the venue 33 In June 2023 Connolly Youth activists holding an anti NATO banner disrupted a forum discussing Irish defence policy Micheal Martin who was giving a speech accused them of being undemocratic and trying to shut down debate 34 Publications editThe CYM irregularly publishes a print magazine titled Forward with online articles published under the same title 35 Affiliations editWorld Federation of Democratic Youth 3 Prominent past members of CYM editMadge Davison 36 served as General Secretary of the CYM 7 Declan Bree 37 served as Chairperson of the CYM Manus O Riordan 38 served on the executive committee of the CYM 39 References edit Constitution Connolly Youth Movement 28 March 2018 Retrieved 10 February 2020 a b CYM Statement on Disaffiliation Connolly Youth Movement 18 January 2021 Retrieved 18 January 2021 a b CYM participates in CENA camp 2022 Madrid Connolly Youth Movement cym ie 9 August 2022 Retrieved 9 April 2024 Between 26 and 28 June 2022 members of the Connolly Youth Movement took part in the Committee of Europe and North America CENA Camp in Madrid organised by the World Federation of Democratic Youth WFDY a b c Connolly Youth Movement PDF Connolly Youth Movement p 1 Retrieved 9 April 2024 The Connolly Youth Movement CYM is an all Ireland socialist youth organisation supportive of the Communist Party of Ireland It was originally founded in 1963 by a group of young socialist republicans inspired by the Irish Workers Party forerunner of the CPI who were involved in the Dublin Housing Action Campaign Following the crisis in socialism in the early 90s the CYM declined in membership However in 2002 it was revived Milotte Mike Gill Macmillan 1984 Communism in Modern Ireland The Pursuit of the Workers Republic since 1916 Dublin University of Michigan pp 281 282 ISBN 9780841909700 Norton Alexander 4 March 2020 Red ambition the Connolly Youth Movement in 2020 The Morning Star Retrieved 9 April 2024 Alex Homits This congress coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first all Ireland one in 1970 In 1970 the Young Communist League of Northern Ireland and the southern connection that was the Connolly Youth Movement unified a b Communist Party of Ireland communistpartyofireland ie Retrieved 9 April 2024 In 1970 the Communist Youth League merged with the Connolly Youth Movement founded in 1963 and Madge Davison became the first general secretary of the all Ireland CYM Message of support of the Communist Youth Organizations Communist Party of Greece Retrieved 10 February 2020 Statement on CPI CYM relations Communist Party of Ireland 9 February 2021 Twomey Fergal ed 10 February 2022 What Does it Mean to be an Unreconstructed Communist Foward No 33 Connolly Youth Movement p 2 Retrieved 9 April 2024 via issuu com The Connolly Youth Movement is a Marxist Leninist Socialist Republican organisation and must remain so Cause of Youth Cause of Ireland Connolly Youth Movement 2022 pp 17 19 Programme Clar 7 November 2018 Retrieved 22 August 2022 a b Norton Alexander 4 March 2020 Red ambition the Connolly Youth Movement in 2020 Morning Star Retrieved 22 January 2021 CYM Editorial Team 4 June 2020 When Sex Workers Win All Women Win cym ie Archived from the original on 19 August 2020 The CYM condemns war in Ukraine Connolly Youth Movement 25 February 2022 Uyghurs and China The Facts Connolly Youth Movement 27 February 2021 Israel begins most genocidal operation in Rafah Forward cym ie 11 February 2024 Retrieved 9 April 2024 UCC students protest for Palestinians and call for Israeli ambassador to be expelled Irish Independent 27 February 2024 Retrieved 9 April 2024 Members of UCC s Connolly Youth Movement protest for Palestinians and call for Israeli ambassador to be expelled Statement Calling For The Release Of Palestinian Prisoners cym ie 19 March 2023 Retrieved 9 April 2024 We take this opportunity to reiterate our condemnation of the genocidal policy of the Zionist State of Israel against the Palestinian people as well as our firm solidarity with the Palestinian cause and their legitimate struggle against the Zionist occupation the right to self determination and the return of Palestinian refugees to their lands The Irish government supports Israel Forward cym ie 31 March 2024 Retrieved 9 April 2024 That is why CYM activists have consistently engaged in and supported actions calling for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions such as those being carried out regularly in Belfast Group squat in Cork house to highlight crisis Evening Echo Retrieved 10 February 2020 Students face eviction from liberated building University Express UCC Express 8 November 2017 Retrieved 10 February 2020 Gardai evict anti homelessness protestors Evening Echo 1 August 2018 Armed Response Unit Break Up Political Protest in Cork Ireland CYM 26 July 2018 Mullally Una North Frederick Street looks like proof that the system is conspiring against the people The Irish Times Cork s Connolly Barracks Hot Press 23 January 2020 Connolly Youth Movement Disrupt Simon Coveney Event in UCC University Express UCC Express 10 October 2018 Retrieved 10 February 2020 Duffy Ronan May 2019 Have you a job Have you a job Tense exchanges as FG Cork meeting disrupted by protesters TheJournal ie Retrieved 10 February 2020 Roche Barry Varadkar calls protesters who halted Fine Gael meeting anti democratic The Irish Times Retrieved 10 February 2020 Roche Barry 1 May 2019 Varadkar calls protesters who halted Fine Gael meeting anti democratic Irish Times Retrieved 22 January 2021 Taoiseach brands Cork protest profoundly undemocratic Breaking News 2 May 2019 Retrieved 10 February 2020 Activists evict Far Right Irish party as it sets up stall in centre of Belfast Belfast Telegraph 27 July 2020 McConnell Daniel 2 March 2023 Student protestors disrupt Bertie Ahern conferral saying he does not deserve any award Irish Examiner Retrieved 2 March 2023 Martin hits out at incoherent protesters who were removed during forum speech in Cork Irish Examiner 22 June 2023 Forward CYM Communist Party of Ireland www communistpartyofireland ie Retrieved 10 February 2020 Yearbook on International Communist Affairs Stanford University 1980 p 177 Manus O Riordan obituary A man of high intellect with many passions The Irish Times Heckling Dev History Ireland External links editOfficial website Archive of Forward Issues Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Connolly Youth Movement amp oldid 1218942253, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.