Workers Solidarity Movement

During Noam Chomsky's recent visit to Ireland five members of the Workers Solidarity Movement met him over breakfast to talk over a range of issues from Palestine to the capitalist crisis to social partnership to Iran to Obama and the US Labour Movement. Notes on the discussion are below followed by the audio recording itself.

On Saturday evening at Semora Spraoi RAG were screened two abortion rights documentaries, 'The Coat Hanger Project' and 'Abortion Democracy : Poland/South Africa'. The makers of both documentaries were present so the screenings were introduced by them and there was a wide ranging discussion after the films had been show. The audio of the introductions can be listened to below.

The first in a series of radio shows, produced by the Workers Solidarity Movement. This show is themed around the issue of public and private space. In particular we look at an autonomous social centre, Seomra Spraoi in Dublin.

We also look at the experiences of anarchists in Boston USA, who are helping people actively resist being evicted from there homes as a result of the "credit crisis" as well as the Irish government attack on ordinary people at this time. The panel includes WSM members and Mick Byrne from the Seomra Spraoi collective

September 10th saw the launch in Dublin of a new history of the Offical IRA and the Workers Party called ‘The Lost Revolution’ by Brian Hanley and Scott Miller. Over 250 people including many ex and current members of the Workers Party as well as members of just about every other left and republican group crammed into the hall for the launch. This is an audio recording of the introduction to the book given by Diarmaid Ferriter followed by each of the authors speaking about the book.

Lost Revolution - History of the Workers Party - launch in Dublin by Andrew Flood on Mixcloud

An interview with Shane, a member of the Berlin anarchist media group about conditions in the city and the anarchist movement there.

Interview with anarchist squatter in Berlin - Kopi 2009 by Andrew Flood on Mixcloud

A conversation with WSM member Davy Carlin, from his early childhood growing up in the Ballymurphy housing estate in the midst of an ‘Irish War’ to community politics. Davy also reflects on his involvement in struggles to date from anti-racism, workplace organising and organisations from the Socialist Workers Party to Organise! Finally, we touch upon the politics of anarchism and his hope for the future.

This is a 10 minute interview with Fin conducted as a lock on was in progress on the road blocking a Shell convoy.

This is an 8 minute audio interview with Fin who arrived at the Rossport Solidarity camp in June 2009 as Shell's ship the Soliaire started lying pipe. It's about getting there, what is going on, the events of this morning, the level of policing and what is to come.

In April 2009, twenty six traffic attendants were sacked in Belfast for resorting to a half-day un-official strike, after management ignored their grievances over working conditions.

On Saturday 9th May, the Belfast branch of the WSM held a public meeting at An Culturlann in West Belfast on ‘Can Direct Action achieve success’.

Contributions from former Visteon workers, Dessie McEnroe and Mark O’Hara on their participation in the occupation, building links with fellow workers and lessons learnt.

Here is a short report and audio recording from the discussion.