WSN sorted : Orangeism

There has been much controversy surrounding the question of the Orange
parades marching down roads such as the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, Ireland.

The view of Sinn Fein, Michael Farrell, co-chairperson of the civil rights
association, is that it is valid for these parades in general to proceed
once the local residents dont object to them. This position is one that
obscures the real nature of Orangeism in the North of Ireland.

The point is that Orangeism and its parades are of a cultural, ideological
and politically reactionary character. Consequently they are opposed by all
revolutionary communists. However that does not mean that communists simply
take to the streets opposing such marches whether the march proceeds down a
staunchly Orange area or non-Orange community. Practical opposition is a
tactical matter and must be considered in context such as the kind of
support that exists on the ground among the local masses. As a tactical
matter how the practical opposition is to be organised and under what
slogans are vitally important. As of present much of the Sinn Fein and
Garvagy/Omeau form of organising against marching has an opportunist
character which rather than attempting to raise political consciousness
reinforces sectarianism even further.

To conclude: The view of Sinn Fein and others seems to be that that Organism
has a civil and democratic right to march, but not through areas where the
marches are found to be offensive to the local community. This position
reinforces the existence of Orangeism and its parades and essentially
undermines the call for an end to Orange parades down Garvaghy and other
areas.
The issue of civil rights and democracy in this context is an illusory one
that merely obscures the real state of affairs. The point is that Orangeism
and its parades, irrespective of the localities, they toddle through are
culturally, ideologically and politically reactionary. Consequently
universal opposition to both Orangeism and its theatricals is
correct --whether the parades proceed through staunchly Orange or non-Orange
communities.

Hi Comrades

There has been much controversy surrounding the = question=20 of the Orange
parades marching down roads such as the Garvaghy Road = in=20 Portadown, Ireland.

The view of Sinn Fein, Michael Farrell,=20 co-chairperson of the civil rights
association, is that it is valid = for these=20 parades in general to proceed
once the local residents dont object to = them.=20 This position is one that
obscures the real nature of Orangeism in = the North=20 of Ireland.

The point is that Orangeism and its parades are of a=20 cultural, ideological
and politically reactionary character. = Consequently=20 they are opposed by all
revolutionary communists. However that does = not mean=20 that communists simply
take to the streets opposing such marches = whether the=20 march proceeds down a
staunchly Orange area or non-Orange community.=20 Practical opposition is a
tactical matter and must be considered in = context=20 such as the kind of
support that exists on the ground among the local = masses.=20 As a tactical
matter how the practical opposition is to be organised = and=20 under what
slogans are vitally important. As of present much of the = Sinn Fein=20 and
Garvagy/Omeau form of organising against marching has an=20 opportunist
character which rather than attempting to raise political = consciousness
reinforces sectarianism even further.

However = communists=20 can engage in propaganda against such marching at any
time.

To = conclude: The view of Sinn Fein and others seems to be that that = Organism
has=20 a civil and democratic right to march, but not through areas where=20 the
marches are found to be offensive to the local community. This=20 position
reinforces the existence of Orangeism and its parades and=20 essentially
undermines the call for an end to Orange parades down = Garvaghy=20 and other
areas.
The issue of civil rights and democracy in this = context=20 is an illusory one
that merely obscures the real state of affairs. = The point=20 is that Orangeism
and its parades, irrespective of the localities, = they=20 toddle through are
culturally, ideologically and politically = reactionary.=20 Consequently
universal opposition to both Orangeism and its = theatricals=20 is
correct --whether the parades proceed through staunchly Orange or=20 non-Orange
communities.

Warm=20 regards
Rebecca