On May Day we extend greetings and solidarity to all those in work or who have lost jobs in the current Covid-19 crisis. We also salute all the frontline workers in health, retail, transport and other essential services. We also extend our condolences to all those who have lost family members or friends to Covid-19 over the past number of weeks. The shameful treatment of the Debenhams’ workers and the ongoing abuse of low paid immigrant workers by companies such as Keelings, tells us the fight for worker’s rights still has a long way to go.

This crisis has also shown that previous progressive demands for real social protection of the most economically vulnerable such as removal of the threat of eviction from their homes, protection and state protection of the low paid and a single tier health service are not the utopian fantasies that the political and financial elite dismissed them as in the past.

There is an opportunity in the aftermath of this international health crisis to create a New Ireland that reflects the values and principles of the 1916 Proclamation.  Sinn Féin Poblachtach has set out their vision for such a 32-County Ireland in ÉIRE NUA and SAOL NUA. We call on trade unions and other progressive social, political and cultural movements to join this struggle for a New Ireland, based on real political and economic democracy.

We take this opportunity to express our solidarity to those fighting for political and economic justice in Turkey and our sympathies to the families of those who have died on hunger strike.  The struggle for a free Ireland is part of the international struggle against poverty, ignorance and  imperialism in all its forms.  Our cause is the cause of humanity.

The Coronavirus health crisis has shown that the spirit of community and national solidarity is alive and well in the Irish people. Together we will come through this terrible time. And together we will build an Ireland worthy of the patriotic sacrifices of the past and fulfilling the highest aspirations of this and future generations.

There is no strength without unity.
Ní neart go cur le chéile.

An Phoblacht Abú

Sinn Féin Poblachtach, May 2020

Ranganna:International News, [RSF News] Statements