Strike While The Iron Is Hot
How we feel about the fuel protests doesn’t matter as much as the opportunity they have given us! If everyone, at this historical moment, rises up in unison and puts them under pressure, we all stand a better chance of winning our demands.
Cillian Ó Riain
The fuel protests have shaken up the entire country. There is plenty of debate about whether or not to support these protests as progressives, about their class character, about far-right influence within them, and many other questions. It is my opinion that progressives should support the fuel protests, but that is besides the point.
I am writing this to point out a simple fact: everyone who has anti-government interests has a stake in this. Whether you agree with the protests or not, it is absolutely undeniable that they have caused massive social upheaval, placed huge pressure on the government, and have started a national conversation.
Housing groups! These protests have placed the cost of living crisis front and center! I appeal to you: call a demonstration on the streets of Dublin for housing justice! The government is already under scrutiny, let’s put them under pressure!
Workers! Your voices have been ignored for too long! By pulling your labour and striking, you have the most influence out of any group in the country! There are many ongoing public and private trade disputes, and it is only a matter of issuing simultaneous notices of industrial action to transform this moment into a general strike! The leverage that striking transport and dockworkers alone have through collective bargaining is enormous. Strike while the iron is hot!
Palestine solidarity groups! The imperialist US/Israeli war on Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine is the root cause for the recent fuel hikes. The government allows the US military to use Shannon Airport on their way to commit these war crimes. Call a Descend on Shannon protest at Shannon Airport, make your voices heard, make it clear that the Irish people will no longer tolerate the presence of the imperialist US military in Ireland!
Students! The government has failed to properly address the ongoing housing, cost of living, and educational fees crisis! They have failed to act on nearly every issue you care about! It is time to have your voices heard. On your campuses, in your students unions, and on the streets, get out and join up with protesters, show them that students are angry too!
Republicans! The Free State has deployed the military to deal with these protests, setting a precedent for any dissenting voices in the future! At the same time, they are complicit in interning republicans and upholding partition year after year. Get out onto the streets! Raise your voice in protest!
How we feel about the fuel protests doesn’t matter as much as the opportunity they have given us! If everyone, at this historical moment, rises up in unison and puts them under pressure, we all stand a better chance of winning our demands.
“The great appear great because we are on our knees. Let us rise!” - Jim Larkin
