The People's Movement campaigns against any measures that further develop the EU into a federal super-state and works to defend and enhance popular sovereignty, democracy and social justice in Ireland.

People's News - 16 June 2013

The current edition of People's News, dated 16 June 2013, is available for download here (603 KB).

Back issues of the newsletter are available here.

Andy Storey lecture


Andy Storey delivering this year's Europe Day lecture.

The text of Andy Storey's Euorpe Day lecture, entitled 'Chronicle of a crisis foretold: the political economy of the European project', is now available here.

New print by Robert Ballagh

A new print by Robert Ballagh, in a limited edition of twenty-five, is available from the People’s Movement. The print depicts one star in the EU flag representing a fractured EU member state — Ireland!

The print, which is 37 × 30 cm, costs €125 unframed and €150 framed. All proceeds go to supporting our work. Phone 087 2308330 for your copy.

Dublin - 9 May 2013

People's Movement
Europe Day Demonstration
EU imposes austerity to pay the bankers
EU Offices
Molesworth Street, Dublin 2
Thursday, 9 May 2013, 1:00 p.m.


Some of those who took part in the Europe Day demonstration.

A press statement issued by the People's Movement is available here.

Dublin - 30 April 2013

People's Movement
Protest
Against Dublin meeting of the EU Military Committee
Assemble opposite the Olympia Theatre
Dame Street, Dublin 2
Tuesday, 30 April 2013, 1:00 p.m.


Some of those who took part in the protest on April 30th.

For information on the EU Military Committee, see here.

Thomas Pringle in Sweden


Björn Elmbrant and Thomas Pringle

People’s Movement patron Thomas Pringle TD was in Sweden from February 8th to February 10th at the invitation of the Swedish People’s Movement. During his visit he spoke to leaders of the main opposition Social Democratic and Left Parties. Both parties are currently deciding what stand to take on Swedish right-wing Alliance government plans for the country to sign up to the EU’s Permanent Austerity Pact.

Thomas also addressed an enthusiastic meeting of activists in ABF House, Stockholm’s main trade union centre.

The Swedish parliament, the Riksdag, will vote on the Permanent Austerity Treaty on 9th March. Sweden is not in the euro zone and there is thus no good reason why it should sign up to the treaty.

The only argument put forward by the government is that as a signatory Sweden will be able to sit with the new euro Council once per year, but that the articles in the pact are not binding for Sweden.

The People's Movement is prominent in the opposition to the Permanent Austerity Pact.

Twenty-two trade union and social groups have signed up to the ’No to the Austerity Pact Appeal’ to date. Among them are the national trade unions for electricians, dockers and transport workers, as well as the Left Party and Social Democrat EU-critics. The Left and Green Parties will probably vote against ratification. The Swedish Democrats, a party with which the People’s Movement will not work because of its anti-immigrant stance but which has the support of almost 10%, will also vote against ratification.

The Social Democrats under a new europhile chair, Stefan Löfven, will probably support the government. Nevertheless, Thomas had a productive meeting with Lena Sommerstad, chair of the Social Democrat women’s organisation . He also met Stellan Hermansson, who is the general secretary of the Left Party and the party's MEP, Mikael Gustafsson.

The activist meeting was chaired by journalist and author Björn Elmbrant. Last autumn Elmbrant’s new book 'Det som skulle bli så bra' ('It should have been so good') was published. The book describes the consequences of permanent austerity demanded by the 'Troika', and puts the austerity measures in a political context. He visited all the so called PIIGS countries when writing his book and needless to say the book contains an 'Irish chapter'.

Elmbrant captured the sentiments of the meeting when he praised Thomas’s courage in challenging the legality of the European Stability Mechanism all the way to the European Court of Justice.

Help us build a fighting fund!

The referendum is over but our work must continue, and with a number of challenges in the medium term, we must build a fighting fund.

Next year Ireland takes over the EU Presidency for six months and undoubtedly, this will provide numerous opportunities for us to get our views across.

There may be another referendum if the present plans for a Fiscal and Monetary Union come to fruition and if such a treaty were to be ratified, it would undoubtedly further diminish the remaining remnants of our independence.

And yet another referendum may result from the constitutional challenge by Thomas Pringle. So, we need to be prepared!

We are now making an appeal to those of you who can afford to assist, to send something, no matter how small, to help us build our funds. All contributions will be acknowledged and gratefully received.

You may donate directly to our bank account:
Ulster Bank, 33 College Green, Dublin 2
Sort code: 98-50-10
Account number: 06330039
IBAN: IE61 ULSB 9850 1006 3300 39
BIC code: ULSBIE2D

Or directly to the address below:
25 Shanowen Crescent, Dublin 9
Phone: (087) 230 8330
E-mail: post@people.ie


For sovereignty, democracy and social justice.