Youth Against H-BLOCK

of Ireland and the half share we hold of the population of the 25 county state. Charlie Haughey, Free State premier, has spoken of our sterling qualities in one of the endless vague speeches that mark Fianna Fail!s populist approach to politics, He may have cause to regret the vigour and hope of these same young people for one of the campaigns which is fastest attracting youth support is the H-Block campaign. An exam— ple of this is the recent formation of a 'Skinheads against H-Block! group in Dublin. On the Day of Mourning for Bobby Sands, 70% of the Dublin procession was young people, The 26 county political parties have shown they have little to offer young people except un=employment a la Fianna Fail, Fine Gael or Labour. The SDLP has only words and will never even have the pretence ot power for the youth of the North. These parties can only give a platform for prestigious jobs, useless discussions and political positions (such as the Vice President of Young Fine Gael, Maria Stack, who withdrew her remarks in favour of abortion in favour of contin— ued prominence in the pro-imperialist party).

So young people are turning their energies against the state perceiving it correctly to be the political expression of their Problems. However, the anger does not always take a political direction and rioting has provided the police and army with an excuse for violence and given support to reactionary media views, Haughey must be forced to stand up to Margaret Thatcher and insist that she grant the 5 demands. He has to be made end all collaboration with Thatcher.

Over the last 6 months, al— though they have made up over half of all recent demonstratIsed consistently on a separate basis and so have not had a political voice In the campaign.

Youth need to organise separately. For too long, we have besn told what to do by parents, tecahers and elders. Together we have the strength not only to solve the question of political status but to decide our future in a very real way.

We must show that we stand behind the prisoners and to do ions, youth have not been organTion, Fianna Fail TD!s). this, it is mot enough just to attend demonstrations. We must organise ourselves as a force in the campaign and reach Defence 2f their local areas is an important task for youth in the North. Youth should organ— ise the mass picketing of RUC barracks and draw the people out in support. Otherwise, unco-ordinated rioting will peter out and the Catholic population will find itself denied a means of militant self-expressWe can beg’ in our own areas with friends, leaflettirig schools schools, dole queues, discos.., H-Block/ Armagh groups, lobby— setting up local Youth against ing local TD!s (especially A H-Block youth conference will be held soon, It is important to organise support for this conference and ensure that there are representatives of youth from all areas. are crucial now in the fight to build a movement that can save the lives of Ray McCreesh and Patsy O!Hara, The other lesson we must learn is the central importance of industrial action by the organised working class. We have made tremendous progress In building trade union action often with few resources, The whole force of the campaign directed at workers can ensure victory for us, JOIN PD Peoples Vemocracy is helping to bujld the Workers! Republic which is the only solution to the imperialist domination of our country. If you want to know more about our organis— ation, write to us at the address below:

PD, 38 Clanawley Road, Killester, Dublin 5,