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The Revolutionary Housing League (RHL) is an Irish socialist republican[1] housing activist group that was founded in 2022 by the Revolutionary Workers Union (RWU).[2] It has carried out direct action by squatting in empty buildings. The group is affiliated with Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland.
History
In May 2022 a group calling themselves the Revolutionary Workers Union (RWU) began squatting in a building on Eden Quay in Dublin and dubbed it "James Connolly House". The building was owned by the Salvation Army and was reportedly being refurbished for use by Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion. The Salvation Army said the refurbishment had to be stopped because of the squatters.[3][4][5] The RWU claimed there was no evidence that the building was being refurbished before their arrival. The group claimed to refurbish the building themselves, which they said was derelict, and were operating it as a homeless shelter amongst other uses.[6] In late May, the High Court ruled that the squatters must leave[7] and in early June, after the RWU said they would not abide by the order, they were evicted by the Garda Síochána.[8]
Following their expulsion from Eden Quay in June 2022, the Revolutionary Housing League was created as a separate organisation from the Revolutionary Workers Union.[2]
In June 2023, several court hearings were held in relation to a Dublin City property being developed to house the elderly being squatted by the RHL.[9]
Ideology
As part of printed material distributed by RHL during campaigning, the group states that it "opposes the dominance of vulture funds, Airbnbs and multinationals over Irish housing".[10] A Socialist and Irish Republican organisation,[1] RHL has stated that "the housing crisis can not be resolved through the present political system"[10] and has invoked the phrase "all right to public property must be subordinated to the public right and welfare" from the Democratic Programme of the First Dáil in its material.[11]
RHL is heavily affiliated with another Socialist Irish Republican group called Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland.[1][11]
See also
- Irish National Land League
- Community Action Tenants Union
- Dublin Housing Action Committee
- Derry Housing Action Committee
- Landless People's Movement
- Squatting in Ireland
- Tenants union
References
- ^ a b c d "Big progress for radical housing campaign". Republican News. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ a b Dunne, Alex (26 September 2022). "Homeless activists arrested after gardai evict group from vacant city centre building". Retrieved 21 September 2023.
The League, itself an offshoot of the Revolutionary Workers Union, have previously occupied a number of vacant buildings, including the Iveagh Markets, a derelict building on Eden Quay, and Dublin 8 apartments that were being redeveloped for elderly people.
- ^ O’Loughlin, Ann (13 May 2022). "Building set aside for Ukrainian refugees illegally taken over 'in spirit of 1916', court told". Irish Examiner.
- ^ O’Donoghue, Patrick (4 May 2022). "Activists squat in hostel meant for Ukrainian refugees". The Times. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ O’Donoghue, Patrick (6 May 2022). "Squat in hostel meant for Ukrainian refugees is 'radically wrong'". The Times. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ Cusack, Aidan (1 June 2022). "The Storming of Connolly House". Trinity News.
- ^ McGarry, Patsy (23 May 2022). "Workers group occupying Eden Quay property to defy court order". Irish Times. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ O'Faolain, Aodhan (9 June 2022). "Salvation Army regains building earmarked for Ukrainian refugees after Garda operation". Retrieved 14 June 2022.
- ^ Feiritear, Níall (22 June 2022). "Campaigners occupy vacant Dublin property as housing organisation seeks eviction". Sunday World. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ a b Walsh, Sam (27 September 2023). ""People-power and protest": the leftist organisations mobilising students". Trinity News. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Join the Revolutionary Housing League". 5 December 2022.
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