The brutal and barbaric reality of ‘punishment’ attacks

Workers Party representative in North Belfast, Gemma Weir has condemned the shooting of a 26 year old man in the New Lodge area.

‘This is yet another barbaric and totally unjustifiable assault. It has neither cause nor  justification’, she said

‘These so called ‘punishment‘ attacks and the consequences they have are in danger of becoming a sideline issue’, Gemma warned.

‘There is a real concern that this type of behaviour becomes accepted as the norm and that we fail to express sufficiently the outrage and condemnation which these actions deserve’, she said

‘In the past year there have been almost 100 shootings and beatings across Northern Ireland and a staggering 3,000 attacks since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998’ explained Gemma.

‘These are brutal, life changing and sometime fatal attacks’, she said. ‘They cannot be carried out without the support and help of a number of people in the local community’.

‘While we must continue to call on those directly involved to desist immediately we must also say to those who support them, in whatever way, ‘Examine your conscience and reflect on the role you have played in these brutal maimings and murders’ 

‘The police, the courts and the judicial system are the only legitimate source of redress’ said Gemma

‘Anyone with any information about this or any other attack should contact the PSNI’, Gemma concluded.

Photo Credit: AMMG Media

Party member Paddy Wilson painting out fascist graffiti

Workers Party representative Gemma Weir has condemned the appearance of far-right graffiti around North Belfast.

Images and slogans of the group ‘Generation Identity’ have appeared across the area in recent times and points to a worrying increase of far-right activity.

“Generation Identity is just a modern incarnation of the same fascist ideology that has always aimed to divide people along the lines of religion or race in the past”, Gemma said.

Opposed                                                 While the appearance of this graffiti gives cause for concern, I am sure that any attempt to create racist divides in North Belfast will be opposed by its residents”, she added

Generation Identity has made headlines recently when it was found that its members had taken part in ‘military-style training camps’ and was instrumental in crowdfunding a ship to stop refugees sailing the Mediterranean, a particularly inhumane activity considering the hundreds of people who have died making the dangerous journey.

Stand against                                                                                                             “In the past months, Belfast has stood against the abhorrent politics of Britain First. There is no doubt in my mind that they will stand against any attempt by this group to attack the immigrant communities who contribute so much and make our society a vibrant one.” Gemma said

“The Workers Party is completely opposed to dividing working people, be it by race or religion”

North Belfast needs more homes, decent work and better healthcare. This is what the people of North Belfast should fight for. It does not need the far-right attempting to fan the flames of division.” Gemma concluded.

Time to take back public services from the private sector

Workers Party spokesperson Joanne Lowry has expressed outrage and concern at the collapse of contractors Carillion and the threat to over 500 local jobs. 

“The futures and livelihoods of around 200 Carillion staff carrying out work for the Housing Executive are now at serious risk and hundreds more including those employed on Power NI contracts are at similar risk”, she said. 

“I have been in touch with senior civil servants in the Department for Communities insisting that they arrange for the threatened Carillion workers to be taken on to the Housing Executive payroll immediately”, Joanne said. 

“This crisis has come about as a result of  the outsourcing of contracts, the privatisation of public services and the failure of companies like Carillion to deliver.” she stated. 

“Public sector organisations like the Housing Executive must have their own  Direct Labour Organisations to provide the level of service required and  job security for its maintenance and repair teams” 

“It is time that we reversed the privatisation of public services and took them back fully into public ownership”, Joanne concluded 

Sinn Fein’s response ‘disgraceful and contemptuous’

The Workers Party has branded the decision by the Sinn Fein leadership to ‘suspend’ its West Tyrone MP Barry McElduff as ‘disgraceful and contemptuous of the families of the Kingmills massacre victims’.

‘Sinn Fein has clearly demonstrated where its priorities lie. They are much more interested in going through the motions than in taking any firm stand  against the callous and insensitive actions of McElduff.’, the party said.

‘If he had any shred of decency or dignity he would resign, but given the cover he has received from his party leader Michelle O’Neill that is now highly unlikely.

South Belfast MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, who retweeted McElduff’s video clip, should also hand in his resignation.

That is the only way in which anyone can have any confidence in believing that Sinn Fein’s public apologies are anything other than damage limitation measures’

McElduff: letting the Sinn Fein mask slip?

‘Sinn Fein must sack its West Tyrone MP, Barry McElduff and publicly apologise for his grossly offensive and insensitive behaviour’, the Workers Party has said.

‘There can be no excuse for Mr McElduff’s behaviour and his post on social media’, the party said .

‘To do what he has done on the anniversary of the Kingsmill Massacre does not so much show an error of judgement but more a callous and derogatory disregard for the families of those who were murdered and wounded in that blatantly sectarian attack  forty two years ago this week’.

‘The Sinn Fein leadership must demonstrate its abhorrence of his actions by sacking Mr McElduff with immediate effect’, the party statement said