32CSM summit held in Derry
Hardline republicans gathered in Derry at the weekend for the Annual General Meeting of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.
The meeting was held on Saturday and attracted delegates from across Ireland. More than 90 motions were debated at the meeting and a National Executive for the movement selected.
Francie Mackie was re-elected as the national chairperson of the group at Saturday’s meeting.
Speaking to the ‘Journal’ after the meeting, Mr Mackie said the 32CSM “continues to grow” and that Derry is a good example of that growth.
“It is important for our membership to come together to formulate strategy, policy and the direction of the movement. The Sovereignty Movement has started to grow again and develop into a more mature republican base.
“I think Derry is a good example of the development of the Sovereignty Movement across the country. What is happening in Derry is what is happening at local level across the country. The Sovereignty Movement is identifying problems experienced by communities and campaigning on them.
“The campaign against the closure of the Foyleville residential home by our members is part of that work,” he said.
Mr Mackie also said working class communities have been “abandoned” by mainstream parties. “We want to support people who are without a voice. Politics has abandoned those people who don’t have a voice and the Sovereignty Movement is filling that vacuum,” he said.
The movement’s national chairperson also said the 32CSM plan to challenge the United States’ government’s ban on the group. “Bans can only last so long and the Sovereignty Movement will challenge that ban. We will be in contact with President Obama and will seek him to remove the ban,” he said.
A motion calling for the 32CSM to withdraw from the Irish Republican Forum for Unity – the umbrella group involving the 32CSM, IRSP and Republican Network for Unity – was defeated at the AGM.
