The following article by Raymond O'Connell was first published in Unity, the weekly paper of the Irish Communist Party.
We have had an embarrassment of socialist riches recently. Last week I recounted the launch of the booklet Red Star Over Belfast Sinéad Morrissey's tribute to her grandad Sean and last Friday and Saturday we had two other events at which socialism and communism received much positive comment.
Last Friday (31.07.26) the International Brigade Commemoration Committee held their annual event in Shankill Road Library, part of the Féile an Phobail (WBF). The Library has a plaque recognizing the role of local volunteers who fought fascism in Spain. This year the event was on 'The Life and Times of Robert (Bob) Hilliard.
Lin Rose Clark, Bob Hilliard's granddaughter, recounted his life based on the extensive research she had undertaken to write his biography, Swift Blaze of Fire. And what a life it was – Olympian boxer, C of I cleric, journalist, Communist Party member and ultimately Brigadista in Spain where he met his death fighting fascism. Ms. Clark's was a warts and all account which made his political commitment and death all the more significant. She concluded by referring to the current rise in right wing extremism, racism and indeed fascism and the need to stand firm to defeat it in its current manifestation.
On Saturday afternoon (01.08.26) in the Mac the Madge Davison Memorial Lecture (also part of the Féile) was organized by the Irish Communist Party. The guest speaker was Vijay Prashad via zoom from Chile. However, Vijay had been taken ill during the night and taken to hospital there. Fortunately he had been on Inis Orr speaking at an event organized by Left Block in 2022 and the talk was recorded and was available and shown as a replacement. Best wishes for Vijay's speedy and full recovery were expressed.
Following an introduction laying out frankly the state of left forces here and the work that needs to be done we were treated to a speech, which as they say, 'was something else'.
Delivered in stirring language without notes he blasted the forces of exploitation, imperialism and the war mongers with the force of his analysis of their rapacious greed and misanthropy. He also raised pertinent questions for the audience, in particular regarding lack of analysis and knowledge of battles and positive developments and indeed victories won in parts of Africa and Asia by workers and their allies developing alliances around common concerns.
This led to a discussion that focused on the need for left forces to build unity in action around issues of immediate importance on which we can clearly coalesce. There was also recognition that more substantial and coherent political education is necessary to assemble a force capable of challenging right-wing ideology and the spectre of war which is on the rise across much of the world.
Quite a job description! All applications gratefully received.