Panel discussion at last year's conference
The 2011 Workers Party Northern Ireland Conference will be held on Saturday 29 October in the Grosvenor Hall, Glengall Street, Belfast.
This year’s conference will debate four new Party discussion papers on Health, Education, the Economy and Sectarianism.
A number of recently endorsed Party representatives will also be introduced on the day.
The afternoon session will feature a panel discussion on the local effects of the economic downturn with contributions from invited guests and Party representatives.
The Conference starts at 10am
For further information contact workerspartymedia@yahoo.co.uk
Supporting 'The Cuban Five'
Workers Party members in Belfast have taken part in a picket on the United States Consulate in the city to help highlight the injustice of the case of the Cuban 5.
The protest, organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Congress Youth, was called to mark the start of the thirteenth year of their imprisonment.
The Cuban Five are five Cuban men who are in US prison, serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively, after being wrongly convicted in a US federal court in Miami, in June 2001.
The five are Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González.
All were falsely accused by the US government of committing espionage conspiracy against the United States, and other related
charges. But the Five were actually involved in monitoring the actions of Miami-based terrorist groups in order to prevent terrorist attacks on Cuba.
You can find out more abou the Cuban 5, sign the petition and support the campaign by following these links:
Who are The Cuban 5 ?
www.freethefive.org
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/35/president-obama-free-the-cuban-five/
Party members protesting the closure of the City Hosptal A&E
“Belfast City Hospital A&E department must remain open pending the review of health and social care services”, the Workers Party has said.
South Belfast spokesperson Paddy Lynn has criticised the current proposal, its timing and its lack of context.
“The proposal to close the A&E department at BCH has been taken with indecent haste”, he said. “Despite a review of local health services announced by the Minister, this decision is being hurried through with little thought for the consequences or for the options”, he said
“The proposal and the consultation process must now be put on hold until the wider debate takes place” Mr Lynn demanded
“Better integration of services will be a key discussion point during that debate. Integration of decision making is equally important in this process. The future of the City A&E department can only be decided as part of a complete review of health and social care services,” concluded Mr Lynn.
Proud to be part of Pride
The Workers Party was “proud to be part of Pride” at Saturday’s Belfast Pride - Ireland’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans festival.
“It is important that we send out a message that prejudice and intolerance have no place in the new society envisaged by The Good Friday Agreement.
Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in realising that goal. We are well aware of the persistence of sectarianism in Northern Ireland but equally objectionable is the rise of homophobic and anti gay and lesbian attitudes including increasing violent attacks.The Workers Party support and our participation in the Belfast Pride event is an important act of solidarity with all those who are subject to prejudice and intolerance and is a clear signal about the type of inclusive and tolerant society we want to build”
Pride in Pictures
Ni Chuilin: 'immature and pettty'
The Workers Party is asking Sports Minister Caral Ni Chuilin whether or not she understands the basics of the ‘Shared Future’ policy, promoted by her party and the DUP and whether she intends to continue discharging her responsibilities in such a petty and immature manner.
The condemnation comes from the Party’s east Belfast representative Kevin McNally in the wake of the Minister’s announcement that she will attend the Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands European group stage match at Windsor Park, but only after the the national anthems have been played.
Read more…
East Belfast riots: There can be no justification
Workers Party East Belfast representative Kevin McNally has condemned last night’s violence in the Short Strand/Lower Newtownards Road.
“There can be no justification for the organised violence and attacks on the homes and property of entirely innocent people, many of whom were young families and the eldery”, he said.
“That such violence was clearly organised by a para military group and that shots were fired is a most worrying development and should demonstrate that the peace we have is a fragile one. As the Workers Party has stated many times, most recently in the Assembly elections, the scourge of sectarianism and the effects of segregation remain deeply rooted in Northern Ireland society.
“Unless those issues are addressed and tackled in a serious way, one which moves our society towards integration and common citizenship, then sadly the potential for a reoccurence in East Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland remains”, Mr McNally concluded.
The immediate priority in East Belfast must be to ensure that in the next few days and weeks there is no repeat of last night’s violence. There are several marches approaching in the area and the community must unite so that the minority of people who stoke the flames of hatred and division do not succeed.
- 47 ‘Peace Walls’ in Belfast alone
Legislation and summit on sectarianism call
“Sectarianism should be made a criminal offence in Northern Ireland and a ‘Summit on Sectarianism’ held here involving all political parties, social, cultural and sporting organisations, the churches and representatives of the voluntary sector,” Workers Party spokesperson John Lowry has said.
The very public and positive steps to tackle sectarianism, being taken by the Scottish Assembly, should serve as an example to our own Assembly and to everyone living in Northern Ireland”, he said.
Read more…’Criminalise sectarianism ‘
Workers Party Candidates: Paddy Lynn (South Belfast), John Lavery(North Belfast), Kevin McNally (East Belfast) and John Lowry (West Belfast)
Thank you to everyone who voted for the Workers Party .
Thanks to everyone who helped in any way with the election campaign, who canvassed on behalf of the Party, who distributed leaflets, who put up posters and to everyone who made sure that the Party’s ‘socialist, secular and anti-sectarian’ message was central to the election debate.
Whatever the result of the count over the next few days you have helped to stake out a political space in Northern Ireland that is neither catholic nor protestant, nationalist nor unionist and challenges the culture of cuts to public services and the cosy sectarian consensus which exists in the Executive.
Whatever the outcome we still have the responsibility and the obligation to make that case and to overcome the tribal, sectarian and right wing agendas which dominate Northern Ireland politics.
That we will do.
Thank you for your continuing support.
John Lavery Paddy Lynn Kevin McNally John Lowry
North Belfast South Belfast East Belfast West Belfast
