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Sinn Fein: A Campaigning Party
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There are many differences between Sin Fein and the other political parties in Ireland. We are an All
- Ireland party. We want to build a united and independent Ireland. We seek a democratic, socialist
system of government.
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But there is another crucial difference.
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Most parties rely solely on parliamentary politics and the media to argue for change on a particular
issue, but we regard the direct involvement of people in political activity, as a crucial way of bringing
about political change. We believe that it is essential that people are involved in the decisions that
shape their future, locally and nationally.
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Democracy means more than just voting every few years. It means more than people relying on elected
representatives to deliver change for them. Elected representatives have a major role to play but if
we are to overcome the growing feeling of alienation, which people have towards politics, there needs
to be a partnership between the political system and the people it governs.
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Sinn Fein has a radical vision for the future. Therefore there is a responsibility on the party to ensure
that people are integrated into the system, feel part of it, and fully participate in it, whether this
involves voting in an election, or campaigning for environmentally friendly waste management projects.
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Campaigning can take many forms. It can be something as simple as a letter to the paper , or public
meetings, lobbying, street protests or civil disobedience. Or it could involve raising public awareness,
on an issue through publicity - leaflets, newsheets, posters, murals, badges, etc. The type of campaign
will vary depending on the issue involved.
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Sinn Fein has for a long time being campaigning for the Government to take action to fight the scourge
of drugs in communities around Ireland. Large areas of our inner cities have been decimated by the evils
of drugs and successive policies by a number of Governments have done nothing to ease the crisis of the
inner city. Sinn Fein will do everything in its power to rid this evil from Irish communities.
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The above picture shows prominent Sinn Fein councillors and Sinn Fein TD, Caoimhin O Caolain protesting
against the imposition of unfair bin charges outside Leinster House. Sinn Fein policy is that refuse
charges are paid for in normal taxation and extra charges, such as pay-by-weight are "double taxation".
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In the past Sinn Fein has campaigned on a wide variety of issues. During the years of internment 1971
- 1975, Sinn Fein campaigned for the unconditional release of internees. During the H-Block/Armagh hunger
strikes period, 1976 - 1981, we campaigned with others for political status for the prisoners. At this
time we also campaigned against Apartheid in South Africa, and against the location of a nuclear power
plant at Carnsore Point in Wexford.
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During the 1980's and 1990's, throughout the 26 counties, we have being involved in capmaigns ranging
from those against the scourge of drugs in working class communities, and for bringing employment and
facilities into deprived areas, to campaigns on the need for to protect Irelands neutrality, and many
other social and economic issues.
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We are currently involved in campaigns around the Peace Process, equality, provision of affordable
housing, and against racism.
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