The CYM supported the programme of the Communist Party of Ireland until a vote of the membership rescinded it at an Extraordinary Ard Fheis on 9 January 2021.[1] The Communist Party issued a statement saying that, shortly before the split, several dual (CPI-CYM) members had been expelled for breaches of discipline and factional behaviour.[9]
The CYM is constitutionally a Marxist-Leninist organisation.[10] It opposes the Good Friday Agreement and the European Union.[11] In July 2022 it published a new programme, Cause of Youth, Cause of Ireland. This included a commitment to Irish unity, revival of Irish culture and promotion of the Irish language, civil rights, free education, free healthcare on an all-Ireland basis, action on climate change, a public housing programme, international solidarity, and "a comprehensive system of worker's rights".[12]
In 2020, CYM's then General Secretary Alex Homits stated that "poverty and trafficking are the leading creators of sex workers."[13] The CYM have offered solidarity to those engaged in sex work, and support for decriminalisation of the purchase of sex.[14]
The CYM condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an "inter-capitalist conflict" and a "highly dangerous and irresponsible course of action which will lead to the loss of many lives and create a fusebox of conflict". It criticised the Ukrainian government and said the eastward enlargement of NATO was a cause of the war. The CYM also recognizes the Russian-controlled breakaway states of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic in Ukraine.[15]
The CYM opposed the Israeli invasion of Gaza, calling it a "genocide",[17] and supported calls to expel the Israeli ambassador.[18] Previously they have also called for the release of Palestinian political prisoner and expressed support for Palestinian self-determination and opposition to Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank.[19] The CYM is also a supporter of the BDS campaign.[20]
Activities
In 2017, members of the Cork branch of the Connolly Youth Movement occupied and re-purposed three derelict buildings near UCC as part of an initiative to highlight rising levels of homelessness.[21][22] In 2018, two of these buildings were repossessed by the Garda Emergency Response Unit acting in conjunction with a contractor for the O'Dwyer Asset Management Company that owned the vacant properties.[23][24][25] The first occupation, still ongoing as of 2021, is referred to as Connolly Barracks by the organisation.[26]
The Connolly Youth Movement was involved in highly publicised instances of direct action in 2018[27] and 2019[28][29] when members of the movement disrupted Fine Gael public meetings in Cork in protest of government policy on homelessness and wealth inequality. One such action was criticised by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who stated "I think no matter what political party you come from or what your political views, we should all be committed to democracy and freedom of speech and trying to shout other people down and trying to shut down their meetings is profoundly anti-democratic".[30] The CYM responded that it had a right to challenge and question the government on policy issues.[31] In a March 2020 interview, CYM General Secretary Alex Homits said "Socialism will not and cannot be delivered through the ballot box and the CYM and its membership will not lie about this or endorse those who do".[13]
In March 2023, members of the Connolly Youth Movement disrupted an event in Dublin City University where Bertie Ahern was receiving an honorary doctorate, calling him an "architect of the financial crisis" before being removed from the venue.[33]
In June 2023, Connolly Youth activists holding an anti-NATO banner disrupted a forum discussing Irish defence policy. Micheál Martin, who was giving a speech, accused them of being undemocratic and trying to shut down debate.[34]
Publications
The CYM irregularly publishes a print magazine titled Forward, with online articles published under the same title.[35]
^"Constitution". Connolly Youth Movement. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
^ ab"CYM participates in CENA camp 2022, Madrid - Connolly Youth Movement". cym.ie. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2024. Between 26 and 28 June 2022, members of the Connolly Youth Movement took part in the Committee of Europe and North America (CENA) Camp in Madrid, organised by the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY).
^ abc"Connolly Youth Movement"(PDF). Connolly Youth Movement. p. 1. Retrieved 9 April 2024. The Connolly Youth Movement (CYM) is an all-Ireland socialist youth organisation supportive of the Communist Party of Ireland. It was originally founded in 1963 by a group of young socialist republicans inspired by the Irish Workers' Party (forerunner of the CPI) who were involved in the Dublin Housing Action Campaign. Following the crisis in socialism in the early 90s, the CYM declined in membership. However, in 2002 it was revived.
^Milotte, Mike; Gill; Macmillan (1984). Communism in Modern Ireland: The Pursuit of the Workers' Republic since 1916. Dublin: University of Michigan. pp. 281–282. ISBN9780841909700.
^Norton, Alexander (4 March 2020). "Red ambition: the Connolly Youth Movement in 2020". The Morning Star. Retrieved 9 April 2024. Alex Homits: This congress coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first all-Ireland one in 1970. In 1970 the Young Communist League of Northern Ireland and the southern connection that was the Connolly Youth Movement unified.
^ ab"Communist Party of Ireland". communistpartyofireland.ie. Retrieved 9 April 2024. In 1970 the Communist Youth League merged with the Connolly Youth Movement (founded in 1963), and Madge Davison became the first general secretary of the all-Ireland CYM.
^Twomey, Fergal, ed. (10 February 2022). "What Does it Mean to be an Unreconstructed Communist?". Foward. No. 33. Connolly Youth Movement. p. 2. Retrieved 9 April 2024 – via issuu.com. The Connolly Youth Movement is a Marxist-Leninist Socialist Republican organisation and must remain so.
^"Statement Calling For The Release Of Palestinian Prisoners". cym.ie. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024. We take this opportunity to reiterate our condemnation of the genocidal policy of the Zionist State of Israel against the Palestinian people, as well as our firm solidarity with the Palestinian cause and their legitimate struggle against the Zionist occupation, the right to self-determination and the return of Palestinian refugees to their lands.
^"The Irish government supports Israel - Forward". cym.ie. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024. That is why CYM activists have consistently engaged in and supported actions calling for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, such as those being carried out regularly in Belfast.
