Continuing RUC attacks on SFY
By Deirdre Feehan
These past months a rising tide of RUC harassment and
intimidation against Sinn Fein Youth activists has led to over 30
arrests and 30 charges being brought against 12 individuals.
These have arisen from an excessive RUC presence at peaceful
protests, where video and stills cameras have illegally been
confiscated, and a high level of stop and searches at these
events. Activists have also been consistently targeted going to
and from SFY offices.
On Tuesday 19 May the RUC in South Armagh stopped a bus entering
GAA grounds in Crossmaglen and detained people for over 30
minutes as they attempted to arrest SFY activists. Later that
evening, a number of young men passing through the village were
stopped, harassed and verbally abused by the RUC and the British
Army. One of the young men was subsequently charged. A SFY
spokesperson said, ``there were no grounds for this arrest. Other
charges were pursued after it, related to rooftop protests at
Belfast City Hall.'' She added, ``none of the things the young man
was charged with actually occurred.''
The most outrageous charges brought against the young man relate
to organising an `End to Sectarian Killings' rally after the
loyalist killing spree earlier in the year. SFY did not organise
the march or rally, although they did participate and appeared on
the platform alongside SDLP councillor Martin Morgan.
The SFY spokesperson also spoke of ``the physical and verbal abuse
and the approaching of activists by plainclothes RUC detectives,
who have attempted to `turn' them into informers.''
Full-time SFY worker, Aidan Ferguson stated, ``this ongoing
campaign of harassment is designed to frighten young people away
from taking an active part in this political struggle. Secondly,
to undermine the work done by the full-time staff. On both counts
they have failed as SFY is getting stronger by the day.''
SFY has stated its total opposition to the RUC, proclaiming them
to be unacceptable and calling for immediate disbandment. SFY
call for the RUC's replacement with transitional mechanisms
involving maximum community and youth consultation in order to
produce a democratic, accountable and peaceful police service
acceptable to all people.
Shane Feeney, a SFY activist from South Armagh, claimed the
ongoing harassment against young activists was because ``the
development of SFY is seen as a threat by the RUC and the
unionist establishment''. He said, ``this week young people are
being asked to vote on the Good Friday document that aims to
bring peace to this island. How are we meant to have confidence
in this process when our legitimate political activity is met
with state violence?''
Feeny added, ``what kind of peace is it that, harasses,
intimidates and criminalises young republicans? If we are serious
about creating peace and democracy our police must be peaceful
and democratic. The RUC are none of these things, they must and
will go.''
SFY will shortly be launching a new campaign to mobilise popular
nationalist and especially youth opinion against the RUC.
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