Republican Youth activists in successful German visit

REPUBLICAN YOUTH activists who travelled to Germany in June to meet with the German Ireland Solidarity group, German youth activists as well as trades unionists and left-wing politicians described their trip as “very productive”.

The group was in Germany over the week of 4-11 June.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, Eoin McShane, Chair of the Mairead Farrell Republican Youth Committee, outlined a series of informal meetings the Irish youth activists held with members of German radical left-wing youth organisation Rebell, youth wing of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany.

The contacts were established during discussions with members of German Ireland Solidarity who travel to Belfast regularly, especially in August for the West Belfast Festival, Féile an Phobail.

Eoin McShane said:

“Rebell is established in all major towns across Germany. In our discussions we found that our approach to youth outreach and activism was very similar.”

During their meeting with Danny Schnur, Secretary-General of the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB), which has a membership of 6.5million, the Irish activists were told that many members of DGB had to keep their trade union membership a secret from their employers. 

The Sinn Féin Republican Youth delegation also met Monika Engel, Vice-President of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany.

•  German Ireland Solidarity Group, Rebell radical youth movement, Sinn Féin Republican Youth, ROTFÜ (younger wing of Rebell) and representatives of MLPD

The highlight of the trip for the young Irish republicans was the three-day international solidarity music festival organised by Rebell. This was the first event of its kind and the organisers hope to make it an event every two years.

Caitlín Ní Chearúlláin (Leo O'Hanlon Sinn Féin Republican Youth, South Down) said:

“The festival was held in Truckenthal, a secluded, mountainous area of Germany and clearly this was a well co-ordinated and well-managed event.

“Stalls displaying information about the politics of Venezuela, Tunisia, Italy and Colombia, to name but a few, had been set up.

“It was a brilliant experience and the republican delegation was delighted to be a part of it, particularly because it is so relevant to our work at home.”

•  André Jäger (German Ireland Solidarity Group), Eoin McShane (Mairead Farrell Republican Youth Committee) and Lisa Gärtner (Chair of Rebell)