The Biggest General Strike in Irish History: something worth commemorating. January 12, 2020

Posted by guestposter in Uncategorized

There’s a lot of talk of remembrance and commemoration, and much of it state led, with all that that implies. But isn’t this worth looking at more closely by the left in Ireland? And perhaps some sort of events built around it closer to the anniversary? From Independent Left:

On Tuesday 13 April 1920 a general strike took place in Ireland that was by far the greatest strike in Irish history. All over the country there was a complete stoppage and not only that, in some regions and towns the workers took over the running of society, declaring ‘soviets’ and workers’ councils to be in charge. The aim of the strike was to secure the release of prisoners being held by the British authorities in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin and, after two days, the strike ended with a complete victory.