Red Action was a small, militant, socialist group founded in England in 1981 after several activists were expelled from the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) for continuing to be involved in direct action against neo-Fascists (‘squadism’). The group were known for their commitment to street-level anti-Fascist and Irish Republican politics throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Some key members went onto form the Independent Working Class Association (IWCA) in 1995.
The Dublin branch of Red Action was founded in 1990 and remained active until 1997. During this period, they were heavily involved in a range of community campaigns (anti-Water charges, anti-Bin Tax, anti-Drugs etc.) as well as pro-choice, Irish republican and international solidarity issues. They also formed the backbone of Anti-Fascist Action (AFA) which was established in 1991.
For the first time online, here are issues 3 and 4 of their newsletter both published around 1992.
Red Action (Dublin), newsletter no. 3.
Images of Red Action (Dublin), newsletter no. 3.
Issue 3 of Red Action Dublin’s newsletter had articles on the following:
– pro-choice activity and the work of the Dublin Abortion Information Campaign (DAIC).
– the anti-extradition campaign of Belfast republican Angelo Fusco. The Dublin Anti-Extradition Campaign (DAEC), with a postal address at 29 Mountjoy Square, met every Tuesday at 16 North Great George’s Street.
– the rise of the far-right in Europe, the work of AFA and the political failings of the SWP.
– the work of the Irish Nicaragua Support Group of which Red Action members were involved with.
– a short piece on the emergence of militant anti-abortion group Youth Defence (YD)
Link to download : red-action-no-3
Red Action (Dublin), newsletter no. 4.
Images of Red Action (Dublin), newsletter no. 4.
Issue 4 of Red Action Dublin’s newsletter had articles on the following:
– the results of the 1992 X Case abortion referendum and the work of the Alliance for Choice group.
– how the Left fared in the 1992 General Election with a look at the results of the Workers Party and Sinn Fein.
– the recent activity of Portobello Unemployed Action Group (PUAG) including pickets of RTE and their relationship with the more mainstream Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU).
– small bits on anti-fascist and Irish skinhead politics.
Link to download : red-action-no-4
