Irish Freedom Movement

One of the first actions of the Irish Freedom Movement in April 1982

The Irish Freedom Movement was a front group of the RCP, the forerunner of the libertarian LM network. Launched in 1982 and with Fiona Fox in a leading role, it campaigned against British rule in Northern Ireland. It is now defunct.

Cover of the Irish War: The Irish Freedom Movement Handbook, 3rd Ed., published by Junius Publications for the Irish Freedom Movement in 1987

Irish Freedom Movement, Bloody Sunday demo, Sheffield, 1987. Image from The Irish War: The Irish Freedom Movement Handbook, 3rd Ed., published by Junius Publications for the Irish Freedom Movement in 1987, p. 203.

The IFM was the successor to the Smash the Prevention of Terrorism Act Campaign a front group set up by the Revolutionary Communist Tendency the forerunner of the RCP in late 1979. The IFM came into existence following a 'labour movement conference on Ireland' organised by the SPTAC on 6 February 1982.

Cover of Irish Freedom the bulletin of the Irish Freedom Movement, No. 13, February/March 1991.

People

• Alex Farrell, stood under the IFM banner in the 1992 General Election against Peter Brooke. He received 107 votes. Farrell was a party name. His real name was Xander Fraser.
• John Fitzpatrick Circa 1991. According to a report in the Australian Green Left Weekly, 'The rally', to comemorate the introduction of Internment in August 1971 and held on 10 August 1991, was 'addressed by John Fitzpatrick of the IFM'
• Fiona Foster, (real name Fiona Fox. Contact name for the Irish Freedom Movement circa 1986,Editor of Irish Freedom, circa 1992.
• Mick Hume 'organiser of the Irish Freedom Movement' circa October 1984.
• Kevin Kelly Editor of Irish Freedom circa 1991-2.
• Kirk Leech, (Party name: Kirk Williams), 'National Organiser for the Irish Freedom Movement' (circa 1990) and a 'regular contributor to Spiked-online'.
• Phil Murphy (real name Phil Mullan), national organiser of the Irish Freedom Movement (in 1988),
• Brendan O'Neill referred to as 'of the Irish Freedom Movement' and addressing 'a packed meeting of the Republican Forum in London on May 10' 1997

Publications, Resources, Notes

Publications

Cover of Irish Freedom the bulletin of the Irish Freedom Movement, Summer 1992, No. 18. Edited by Fiona Foster, Kevin Kelly and Vicky Rowan

Bulletin

• IFM news. Bulletin of the Irish Freedom Movement. [Irregular], First Issue Nov/December 1986

• Issue No. 1 Nov/December 1986
• [ Issue No. 3(?) May 1987]

• Irish freedom No.3 - No.25 Feb 1988 - Summer 1994

Pamphlets and books

• Irish Freedom Movement An anti-imperialist's guide to the Irish War, 1st Ed., published by Junius Publications, 1983. 137 pages.
• Hume, Mick. After the Brighton bomb. London : Junius (Revolutionary Communist Party), 1984. ISBN 0950840475, 19p ; 30 cm
• Irish Freedom Movement The Irish War: The Irish Freedom Movement Handbook, 2nd Ed., published by Junius Publications, 1985.
• Irish Freedom Movement The Irish War: The Irish Freedom Movement Handbook, 1st Ed., published by Junius Publications, 3rd Ed. 1987.

Irish Freedom Movement sticker for demo on 8 August 1987 in London.

Leaflets and misc publications

1982-83

• Irish Freedom Movement 'Easter 1982: Youth Delegation to Ireland' 9-12 April 1982.
• Irish freedom Movement, H-block hunger strike, Meeting and showing of the film by Information on Ireland, Monday 17 may 1982, 7.30pm Hackney Town Hall, London.
• Irish Freedom Movement 'Smash the Prevention of Terrorism Act! Fighting for Irish freedom', Irish Freedom Movement conference, Liverpool, 26 November 1983.

1984-85

• Irish Freedom Movement Video showing: Behind the Mask, Tuesday 22 May 7.30pm, Lewisham Labour Club, Lime Grove, London.
• Irish Freedom Movement 'Press Release: Anti-terrorist squad arrests 18 year-old Leo Grimes - Grimes household invaded', July 1984 (?)
• Irish Freedom Movement Troops Out of Ireland! Prisoners Out of Jail! Demonstrate in London 10 August 1985

1986-87

• Irish Freedom Movement 'Close Britain's concentration camps: march to demand Troops our of Ireland! Prisoners out of jail!', Saturday 9 August 1986
• Irish Freedom Movement 'Anti-Internment march: Free Irish Prisoners of War', Saturday 8 August 1987

1988-89

• Irish Freedom Movement No More Bloody Sundays Rally, 7.30pm Friday 29 January 1988, Caxton House, 129 St John's Way, London, N19.
• Irish Freedom Movement 1968-1988 Ireland Troops Out Now! Anti-Internment March, Saturday 6 August 1988.
• Irish Freedom Movement When the war comes home: The Irish war in British politics Irish Freedom Movement Conference Saturday 18 February 1989, Sir William Collins School, Charrington St, London NW1. Speakers included Anthony Jennings and John Pilger.
• Irish Freedom Movement March: Troops out now, Saturday 5 August 1989.
• Irish Freedom Movement 'On the first banniversary... Speak out for Irish freedom stop British censorship' October 1989.

1990-91

• Irish Freedom Movement London screening of the controversial video Irish Ways, Wednesday 15 August 1990, Red Rose Club, 129 seven sisters Road, London, N7.

1992-93

• Irish Freedom Movement Lifting the lid: a day of discussion and debate on war, journalism, censorship and propaganda, Saturday 5 June 1993, University of Westminster, 18-22 Riding House Street, London W1.

=Date unknown

• Late 1980s? Troops out of Ireland now, Season's greetings from the Irish freedom Movement, Christmas card signed by Ann Burton.

Resources

• Revolutionary Communist Group 'RCP use violence to stifle debate' Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!, Statement on IFM conference in Leeds, February 1983
• Workers' Power The British Left and the Irish War, January 1983. (Chapter on the Irish Freedom Movement, p. 41-9.)