Happy New year to all James Connolly Society members and supporters. The JCS would like to take this opportunity to thank our activists for all their hard work over the past year. We also appreciate the spirit of comradeship shown during the various strategy discussions which took place over the past year and our recent members consultation. We would also acknowledge the same constructive engagement that supporters showed during our broader information meetings over the spring and summer. 2013 will be a big year for the James Connolly Society, as well as our usual activities it is the centenary of the 1913 Dublin Lock as well as the 20th anniversary of the JCS ‘Beat The Ban’ James Connolly march.

2013 will also be a big year politically in Scotland, as the build up continues to the Scottish independence referendum. The JCS will continue to campaign for a Yes vote in that referendum. Not because we support the SNP or the official Yes campaign but because for republicans it is a vital staging post on the road to the break up of the UK state and the establishment of socialist republics that James Connolly envisaged.

 

We recognise the challenges that exist to building support within the Irish community, and more generally in working class communities across Scotland, for this position. However this remains a strategic priority for republicans in Scotland (and Ireland) and the JCS will continue to take seriously our position of leadership on this issue within our community and seek to work with others to build support for a Yes vote in 2014.

The JCS remains committed to offering solidarity with the risen people of Ireland in their struggle for national self determination. We recognise the fluid political situation that currently exists and the challenges that republicans face at the time. The JCS Welfare Department will continue to offer solidarity with political prisoners throughout the world and in particular this must mean supporting campaigns supporting republican prisoners, particularly those in Maghaberry.

In Ireland, as in Scotland, the time has come for the Irish people to determine their own constitutional future. The James Connolly Society will continue to campaign in support of the 1916 Societies inclusive campaign for an all Ireland referendum. The UK state’s continued denial of the Irish people their right to national self determination remains the central cause of conflict. Only by recognising the Irish peoples right to determine their own constitutional future, without outside interference or impediment, can we move towards a resolution of that conflict.

If you would like to play your part in 2013: Join The JCS.

Let Us Rise!