Socialist Party Limerick

Listen up, Uncle Jim, you're part of the working class too. 🚩✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻

From 👀

Image: The top caption reads "Introducing myself to my family at Xmas." Elaine from Seinfeld, wearing a brown coat and pink shirt and glasses, looks off screen. A man who probably works at IBM is standing next to her and looking at her. White impact text reads, "Big communist. Big, big communist."

Members of our sister organisation in Isra3l/P@lestin3 protest the genocide against P@l3stine. Our comrades are up against state repression and are fighting for liberation every day. We urge you to follow and use the translate feature to keep up to date on their developments.

Images: protesters with megaphones, signs in H3brew, Ar@bic, and English, and umbrellas stand in a protest throng on what appears to be a rainy evening. Trees and city buildings are in the background.

From .moral.imperative

"The more radical a person is, the more fully he or she enters into reality so that, knowing it better, he or she can transform it.

This individual is not afraid to confront, to listen, to see the world unveiled.

This person is not afraid to meet the people or to enter into a dialogue with them.

This person does not consider himself or herself the proprietor of history or of all people, or the liberator of the oppressed; but he or she does commit himself or herself, within history, to fight at their side."

-Paulo Freire

Image: over a solid black background, white serif text reads the above quote. Paulo Freire's name is italicised.

“Britney Spears’ new memoir The Woman in Me is sharp and poignant, and, unlike many celebrity memoirs, maintains a voice that is distinctly her own. From exploring misogyny in the entertainment industry, to the generational dynamics at the centre of her infamous and cruel conservatorship, Spears writes with humility, and spirit. Only the most determined cynic could finish this book without becoming an ardent champion of Britney Spears.” — read our review of Britney’s memoir from socialist feminist activist, Harper Cleves

Shared via

https://www.socialistparty.ie/2023/12/review-the-woman-in-me-by-britney-spears/

"An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times." -Nina Simone

Image:
Mel, Valerie, and Josie from Josie and the Pussycats, three women wearing cat ears with a guitar in frame, stand looking with surprise and apprehension at the camera. In the background is pink and purple leopard print. Yellow text reads, "What do you think will happen when artists are all replaced with capitalist machines? What stories can they tell other than capitalist propaganda?"

Members of the Socialist Party joined the Midwest Hospital Campaign (MWHC) yesterday at a vigil outside University Hospital Limerick (UHL)to remember all of those "who have spent time in the Emergency Department lying on trolleys, sitting on chairs in an overcrowded and dysfunctional Emergency Department".

Excerots from MWHC statement: "There are increasing concerns over the developments in our health provision in the region which is not being reflected other than in local media and from those who have no choice but to attend the Emergency Department at UHL. Despite the promises made to the population of over 400,000 from Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary the numbers on trolleys have increased throughout the year.

Political parties both in Government and Opposition have NOT and will not commit to reopening our Emergency Departments as evidenced by their own words in the media, at committee meetings including the recent appearance of this Campaign at the Petitions and Ombudsman Committee....

In recent weeks we have witnessed UHL group (management) attempt to dismiss research which has been validated by IAEM ( is an organisation of doctors working in Emergency Medicine (EM), including Consultants in EM, doctors in training in the specialty and other doctors involved in or with an interest in EM) on the number of deaths as a direct result of delays in Emergency Departments."

Decades of austerity cuts, including the closing of Ennis, Nenagh & St. John's A&E's, has meant disaster for patients in the Mid West. It has also been disastrous to the amazing and brave health professionals, nurses & doctors & all those working in the hospital who are left working in unacceptable conditions. Re-open our A&E's now!

Our thoughts are with all of those who have lost loved ones, we will always stand with you. And thank you to all involved in MWHC for consistently raising these issues.

Socialist Party members and supporters attended the Palestine solidarity demo in Limerick today organised by on day 70 of the Israeli state genocide of Palestinians.

For 9 weeks, the people of Limerick have stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The support for Palestine has been immense in the city.

We call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and for solidarity among workers & the public to put pressure on our government to unequivocally call for a ceasefire and expel the Israeli ambassador.

Workers must refuse to handle Israeli goods, and strike a real blow to Israeli capitalism in the same way that Dunnes workers refused to handle South African goods in protest of apartheid in the 1980's.

Solidarity is crucial in these turbulent times. Chat to the Socialist Party if you would like to get involved and join the resistance against war & capitalism.

“Let us free Ireland,” says the patriot who won’t touch Socialism. Let us all join together and crush the brutal Saxon. Let us all join together, says he, all classes and creeds. And, says the town worker, after we have crushed the Saxon and freed Ireland, what will we do? Oh, then you can go back to your slums, same as before. Whoop it up for liberty! And, says the agricultural workers, after we have freed Ireland, what then? Oh, then you can go scraping around for the landlord’s rent or the money-lenders’ interest same as before. Whoop it up for liberty! After Ireland is free, says the patriot who won’t touch socialism, we will protect all classes, and if you won’t pay your rent you will be evicted same as now. But the evicting party, under command of the sheriff, will wear green uniforms and the Harp without the Crown, and the warrant turning you out on the roadside will be stamped with the arms of the Irish Republic. Now, isn’t that worth fighting for? And when you cannot find employment, and, giving up the struggle of life in despair, enter the poorhouse, the band of the nearest regiment of the Irish army will es**rt you to the poorhouse door to the tune of St. Patrick’s Day. Oh! It will be nice to live in those days! “With the Green Flag floating o’er us” and an ever-increasing army of unemployed workers walking about under the Green Flag, wishing they had something to eat. Same as now! Whoop it up for liberty!”

— James Connolly, Let Us Free Ireland! (1899)

Socialist Party Limerick members joined Fórsa workers on the picket line today at University Hospital Limerick and St. Joseph's on Mulgrave St.

Fórsa members are engaging in a campaign against the moratorium on recruitment from the HSE. We send our full support to staff staging lunchtime protests today and tomorrow. This action by Fórsa can be the start of a campaign to defend and expand the health service.

We also send our solidarity to INMO nurses and midwives balloting for industrial action for safe staffing in some hospitals.

Nurses on wards, clerical and admin staff are all reporting that understaffing is putting patient safety at risk. Already in acute services the average waiting time is nearly 12 hours.
The impact of this freeze can cost lives.

Already struggling mental health services will also be impacted by this freeze, as will services such as CAMHS, which are being pushed towards breaking point.

Safe staffing levels must be the priority, regardless of socalled ‘budgetary restrictions’. We are not a poor society. There is enormous wealth available to not only meet the immediate needs of the population but to massively expand the health service – making it free and accessible to all who need it.

There is huge support for health service staff. All of us have or will rely upon them at some point in our lives. It was health service staff who were on the frontline battling the pandemic. The Government was happy to applaud them then but now denies them the respect of decent working
conditions.

Industrial action by health service staff can be successful. We do not have to accept that funding is outside our control. RCN Nurses in the North won equal pay in 2019 after a series of strikes. Likewise, strike action by nurses and doctors in Britain secured pay increases from the Tory Government. Organised campaigns of industrial action combined with protests involving the wider public, who hugely support our health staff, can make the pressure on the Government unbearable, and win the kind of health service that all working-class people need.

Read some snippets from our obituary for the late great Shane MacGowan RIP. Read the full article here: https://www.socialistparty.ie/2023/12/obituary-shane-mcgowan/

"Shane MacGowan’s passing is a loss to many of us. His was a voice of the dispossessed, shaped and conditioned by a hatred of oppression and injustice. In death, may a new generation discover him – and not just the timeless classic ‘Fairytale of New York’. MacGowan’s life was that of an underdog, as many Irish people in Britain were at the time. It’s also worth remembering the past sufferings of the Irish diaspora in the context of an emboldening far-right whipping up anti-immigrant hatred in this country. Shane MacGowan stood with the oppressed, the downtrodden and the working class, and was a great symbol not just of Irish culture, but the fusion of cultures in all its power and beauty."

***Protest Starbucks today at 5:30 at the O' Connell St store.***

Starbucks Corporation in the US are suing the Starbucks Workers Union over a since removed tweet in solidarity with Palestine amidst the brutal genocide enacted by the Israeli state.

Starbucks have a long history of union busting and their long time CEO & largest shareholder Howard Schultz has been accused of supporting the Israeli Zionist project at the expense of Palestinians.

Join us at 5:30 outside Starbucks, O' Connell St. to show solidarity & support with the workers. Let Starbucks know that we do not support their union busting or attempts to silence workers who support Palestinians and demand a permanent ceasefire.

Thanks to and for organising this. The Socialist Party will be supporting this on Wednesday at 5:30pm.

Shared from - "Protest announcement in solidarity with Starbucks workers and the people of Palestine this Wednesday.

***Wed 29th Nov is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.***

ROSA Limerick together with will be gathering to protest outside Starbucks O' Connell St. at 5:30 on Wednesday to show our solidarity with Starbucks workers and to oppose Starbucks corporation's support of the Israeli state.

In the US, Starbucks Corporation is suing their workers' trade union for tweeting in solidarity with Palestine. This is an attempt to silence those opposed to genocide, but also an effort at union busting.

Please join us this Wed, 5:30pm at Starbucks, O'Connell St in solidarity with victimised Starbucks' workers & the Palestinian people.

There can be no more business as usual for companies who support genocide in Gaza. Spread the word!



Image is of an amended green Starbucks logo with blood on it on a black background, and the words 'boycott Stabucks' around it. It also contains text with details of the protest on Wednesday."

This will be a very important event today. Come down to Bedford Row at 1pm to take a stand against far right violence and the riots we witnessed in Dublin last week.

Limerick has developed in recent years, a very proud tradition of running fascists out of the city. Heed the Irish Congress of Trade Unions call for lunchtime standouts across the country to show our opposition to the vile far right and their attempts at causing division and wreaking havoc.

It's time for workers to unite and flex our collective muscles and say not in our name to those who would divide us.

We gather at 1pm today at Bedford Row, hope to see you there ✊🏽 Shared via

Horrendous news, thinking of everyone affected 💔

"Ben Dunne was Ireland’s leading capitalist for a long while in the 70s and 80s. He was toppled from Dunnes Stores by his sister after taking co***ne and other things. Dunne was the boss when Dunnes workers took a stand against handling apartheid goods. He left them out on a picket line for ages. He gave Charles Haugher a rake of money - capitalists don’t give money for nothing - he got favourable treatment for his business empire. He supported zero hour contracts." Shared via .coppinger

"Ben Dunne was Ireland’s leading capitalist for a long while in the 70s and 80s. He was toppled from Dunnes Stores by his sister after taking co***ne and other things. Dunne was the boss when Dunnes workers took a stand against handling apartheid goods. He left them out on a picket line for ages. He gave Charles Haugher a rake of money - capitalists don’t give money for nothing - he got favourable treatment for his business empire. He supported zero hour contracts." Shared via Ruth Coppinger

Hundreds gathered on Bedford Row yesterday in a standout organised by the local Palestinian community.

A Socialist Party member spoke rousingly about the need to organise and use the power available to us - organise in our workplaces & on the streets - and strike. Shut the whole system down through our refusal to work and demand an immediate ceasefire.

Not a light switches on, or a wheel turns without the kind permission of the working class, therefore we have the power when we work in solidarity and unison to grind the Western backed Israeli war machine to a halt.

Though many travelled to Dublin today for the national demo, Limerick still put up a good show. This despite attempts by members of the Irish Freedom Party to disrupt the demonstration. But as always, the fascists were run out of Limerick.

Well done to the organisers and everyone who came out today to demand an end to Israeli state genocide on the Palestinian people.

Thank you to
for the wonderful photo

Read our analysis here:

https://www.socialistparty.ie/2023/11/genocide-in-gaza-and-the-struggle-to-defeat-the-israeli-regime-of-terror/?fbclid=IwAR1IJMZjpjrSzTEnwoWQoYPlZqalo7A3gETDZiRqaGUx9nLqVXlHtwikpsA

Limerick Socialist Party member Dominic Haugh - Historian has an essay included in this important contribution to labour and working class history.

Haugh is a fantastic socialist & activist and an unparalleled historian of labour history rooted in the working class. He previously published 'The Limerick Soviet 1919: Revolt of the Bottom Dog' to coincide with its 100 year anniversary. DM if you'd like to get your hands on a copy, it is also available to buy in O' Mahoney's.

Keep an eye out for this new publication also, or put it on your Xmas list. If you're on Facebook check out Dominic's page entitled: Dominic Haugh - Historian.

Image shows a photograph of a book with a red cover titled 'Labour History in Irish History: Essays Celebrating 50 Years of Irish Labour History Society' edited by John Cunningham, Francis Devine and Sonia Tiernan. The book is sitting on a timber table which is partially in view.

Limerick Socialist Party member Dominic Haugh - Historian has an essay included in this important contribution to labour and working class history.

Haugh is a fantastic socialist & activist and an unparalleled historian of labour history rooted in the working class. He previously published 'The Limerick Soviet 1919: Revolt of the Bottom Dog' to coincide with its 100 year anniversary. DM if you'd like to get your hands on a copy, it is also available to buy in O' Mahoney's.

Keep an eye out for this new publication also or put it on your Xmas list.




https://www.facebook.com/100039896803599/posts/1052220016117882/?sfnsn=mo

Hundreds march in Limerick today to demand a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli state's genocidal onslaught against the besieged people of Gaza. Massive response among ordinary people for the demand .

We had an excellent discussion at our public meeting on Gaza this week with . We need solidarity and movement from below, strike action and trade union activism to stand against the atrocities committed against Gaza. Solidarity with Palestine!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=705773771646464&id=100066415420778&sfnsn=mo

Words from ROSA activist ❤️

Sending our love and solidarity to Ashling’s loved ones. We will continue to fight for a future free from gender violence for her, for all those lost, and to future generations of young people.

Public meeting: 'Stop Genocide in Gaza'

Join the Socialist Party next Thursday 9th November at 7pm with special guest speaker at Conradh na Gaeilge on Thomas Street.

Join us on Thursday and find out how you can get involved in opposing Israeli genocide in Palestine.

Image is a photograph of a black and white poster on a street pole that reads 'Stop the genocide in Gaza' with a Starbucks café in the background.

We had an intellectually invigorating - and sometimes downright spooky - evening at Gothic Marxism & the Witch Hunts. We had many insightful discussion contributions including from an audience expert in gothic Marxism! We thank everyone who joined us and we hope we'll see you at the next meeting.

Accessibility:

A basement listening room has a stage with a red curtain in the back. Three women dressed in black sit on stage. One (on the right) is speaking holding a microphone, the other two have their heads turned toward her. The backs of people's heads are visible showing people sitting in rows of chairs facing the stage. In the foreground is a table with socialist literature. Over the foreground a transparent black box is superimposed over which red creepy text reads: "If money comes into the world with a congenital blood-stain on one cheek, then capitalism comes dripping from head to toe, from every pore, with blood and dirt." On the top right of the image there is a smaller floating image of the original poster for Gothic Marxism and the Witchhunts, described in detail in earlier posts. At the bottom red text on black reads "Thank you, Limerick!" and at the bottom right the Socialist Party logo hovers, white text on a black rectangular background with a progress Pride flag.

Join us this Thursday at the Record Room to form a circle and discuss gothic Marxism and the witch hunts. What literary parallels are apparent between the likes of Mary Shelley and Marx? What was going on in the world at the time that might have formed the foundations of both horror as a genre and revolutionary literature? Additionally, what was the relationship between the peak of the witch hunts and the rise of capitalism in Europe - two eras that also happened concurrently? You'll have to attend to find out. Bring your thoughts for a discussion afterward.

All set up and starting soon, pop down to the and say hi.

Admission: €10 waged/€5 unwaged

NEW MERCH! We loved the Barbie movie, and we hope in the next one they'll talk about the Russian Revolution. 👡🚩Find these handmade hoodies, shirts, and pendants at our table tonight at The Wickham. 🔥

Tonight, tonight - join us for a fancy dress night of spooky fun and ghoulishly great music and help to fund the work of your local socialists.🎵🎶🧙🏼‍♀️🧹🪄🧛🏿‍♀️🧛🏽‍♂️

The Socialist Party are entirely funded by you our supporters to ensure that we are not in the pocket of creepy corporations.

We are immensely grateful to all our wonderful performers who will be playing this evening:

ESME O'RIORDAN .music_
COLM BRENNAN
FER KENOBI
TRAD TACTIC
MELANIE GRUBEN

Doors are from 6pm at the wicked so make sure to arrive early.

Fancy dress - if you're feeling spooky wear fancy dress to fool the spirits of craven capitalism.

If you can't make it but would like to support our work check out our stories for a link to tickets - all proceeds go towards funding the work of the Socialist Party.

Hope you can join us for a true socialist partyyyy! 🧙🏼‍♀️🧛🏿‍♀️🧛🏽‍♂️🪄🧹👽👾🤖👺👹☠️

Joining us tomorrow at the Wickham is the indefatigable ! His incendiary Latin and jazz guitar skills and sweet voice can only be attributed to the Force being with him - always. We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Vital we have a huge turnout this Saturday in Limerick — the atrocities against the people of Gaza by Israelis state must be protested worldwide.

From there, let's organise in schools, colleges and workplaces for walkouts & work stoppages. While the Israeli State continues to massacre Gaza, workers should refuse to handle goods from the Israeli State.

We are proud to be welcoming the intrepid .music_ to the stage this Friday at the Wickham. This up-and-coming Limerick singer-songwriter croons soulful indie folk songs of love and loss. Come early to get a good seat.

Tickets at tiny.cc/soundcauldron.

This Friday we're delighted to welcome Colm Brennan to the stage at our Sound Cauldron Hallowe'en fundraiser gig. Colm is a singer-songwriter and guitarist with an eclectic and niche cover set. We look forward to hearing his spooky signature song "Hounds of Limerick". Find Colm Brennan on Spotify.

Mark the date in your grimoire! Join socialist activists and friends at the Wickham bar for a musical lineup that will haunt you for days. Come dressed to kill in your best costumes and get ready to sample the Wickham's spooktacular brews. Have a famous cocktail, kick back, and listen to songs of revolution, solidarity, q***r love, and witchcraft.⁠
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Our very special lineup features:⁠
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✨Emerging artist Esme O'Riordan - soulful singer-songwriter sounds and raw lyrics.⁠
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✨Folk punk hard-hitter Colm Brennan - rousing anthems of solidarity, struggle, and survival.⁠
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✨Latin and jazz extraordinaire Fer Kenobi - his Jedi guitar skills will leave you enchanted.⁠
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✨Tunes from Trad Tactic - wholesome jigs and reels with our own Caitriona on concertina. After all, Halloween is Irish!⁠
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✨Dark faerie spell songs and murder ballads from Melanie Gruben - the nostalgic past has never been creepier.⁠
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This event is a fundraiser for the Socialist Party of Limerick, learn what we're about on Instagram: ⁠
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Why are we fundraising? The Socialist Party has a history of standing with the working class and targeted communities in the fights against capitalism, fascism, and oppression of workers. One thing that sets us apart is that we do not take any donations from big business - all funds that we use for printing, activist travel, and activist wages come from us and you: the working class. This ensures we can stay true to working class values and build a movement on the ground untouched by corporate interests. We hope you'll join us in this spooky fundraiser to keep us building the movement in Limerick and beyond!⁠
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Tweet via .coppinger reads: "Anyone who's been sexually assaulted/ abused must be in despair at recent court outcomes. The court system is class-ridden, patriarchal & designed to protect those with power. We marched for change after Belfast r**e trial, but FGFF & Co haven't delivered any change."

It's been a tough week in Ireland for victims and survivors of sexual abuse and violence who have been left down once again by the justice system. Sending love and solidarity to all who are effected by recent outcomes in the Irish courts. 💜

The justice system is not set up to protect victims and survivors but to uphold systems of power. The whole system has to go, this is utterly inhumane treatment of a victim. We send our love and solidarity to the woman at the centre of this case 💜

'Gang r**e trial of 4 men collapses after alleged victim was too traumatised to face r**e myths & vicim blaming & has to drop her case. Outrage that this type of questioning continues from 4 sets of lawyers. Why would any woman pursue a ' Via .coppinger

'Gang r**e trial of four men collapses after alleged victim refused permission to continue her evidence via video link

The woman, who is undergoing psychiatric treatment for an ongoing issue with her mental health, became upset while being cross- examined in court earlier this week

• Prosecution subsequently asked for permission on medical advice for the woman to give her evidence via video link instead, but was unsuccessful, following which State dropped all charges' as reported in the Irish Independent

New Instagram page for the TUS Socialists Society at TUS Midwest, give a follow if you want to find out about meetings + activities the Socialist Party on campus!

(@tus_socialists) • Instagram photos and videos 3 Followers, 126 Following, 1 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from ()