2024 was defined by global political upheaval, the proliferation of war and poverty, but also the power of ordinary people coming together.
At the beginning of the year, as Palestinians in Gaza entered the fourth month of genocide meted out by the apartheid Israel state, the Irish pro-Palestine movement was reinvigorated to the tune of tens of thousands marching, protesting and demanding action from the Irish government, Stormont and Westminster.
In stark comparison to the outpouring of anger and solidarity on the streets, those in power have veered from deference to complicity. They presented shamrocks to Genocide Joe Biden and waited for Israel to remove its own Irish embassy from Dublin. US planes still pass through Shannon and Aldergrove and arms flow straight from Britain.
At year's end, it couldn’t be clearer that Ireland and Britain’s subservience to the agenda of Israel’s greatest ally - the US - must be broken. In the New Year, the onus on us to hold their feet to the fire will only grow. Irish people are world renowned for our solidarity with Palestinians, and those in power must act accordingly.
Another international trend has been the dangerous growth of the far-right, who treat the progressive liberation movements of women and LGBTQ+ people, as well as increasing diversity, as a threat to their worldview. Donald Trump was returned to the White House, with victories in Italy, and beyond for his ilk. We cannot separate their success from the miserable conditions facing millions of people, which create fertile ground for their divisive tactics and scaremongering.
The abject failure of the establishment to provide for the basic needs of people at the expense of massive profits of the super-wealthy has allowed the far-right to scapegoat minorities for the entrenched poverty in working class communities. Of course, neither the far-right nor the centrist failures in government have any intention of improving our lives and so the fight for a better society remains in the hands of those who deserve it.
As we reflect on the year, I think progressive forces in Ireland should be proud of the local response which met far-right and racist agitators on the streets and rallied around those in their crosshairs. Fifteen thousand of us in Belfast, organised by United Against Racism and supported by hundreds of other groups, sent a clear message that we will not allow their divisive vitriol to go unchallenged.
Pride should also be felt by those activists who have exposed local ecological crises including the Save Lough Neagh campaign. The warmer months of 2024 saw another algal bloom which threatens the health of local people and ecosystems in the lake. Like Mubuoy, the Sperrins and more, the mistreatment of Lough Neagh, and the impact of private interests in particular, are a stain on the record of those charged with protecting our natural resources. The drive to accumulate and maximise profit no matter the cost is destroying our water and the planet in the process.
As the year draws to an end and the days grow colder, it’s difficult not to sum up by thinking of those who struggle to afford to keep their homes warm - and those without a home at all. Around 90,000 people are on the waiting list for a social home, including 58,000 who are homeless.
I am working hard to introduce a People’s Housing Bill, which would keep more people in their homes and more money in their pockets. It is long past time for rent controls, a no-fault eviction ban, proper enforcement of housing fitness standards and taking empty homes into public ownership.
Of course, this should be a job for the Stormont Executive but they have no such plans. We should remind ourselves that Stormont is only functioning this year because hundreds of thousands of public sector workers shamed the DUP back to work by striking for decent pay in January. Unsurprisingly, however, the re-establishment of Stormont has not delivered for those workers. Instead, we have heard endless talk of ‘revenue raising’ measures such as water and prescription charges, and the raising of tuition fees.
It’s tempting to think, all of the above considered, that the world has gone to hell in a handbasket in 2024. But we must remember that there are more than enough resources in our society to alleviate poverty, pay workers fairly, tackle homelessness and make our public services resilient and fit-for-purpose. There are vastly more people on this planet who support the freedom and liberation of oppressed people the world over than those who don’t. Our movements have incredible power when we stand and fight the roots of oppression together.
Let me remind readers, as James Connolly once did, that ‘opportunities are for those who seize them, and that the coming year may be as bright as we choose to make it’. A brighter future is what People Before Profit and I will be fighting for in 2025, and I hope many of you will join that fight. Happy Christmas to all who celebrate, and here’s to a fighting New Year.
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