Video of the inaugural Redmond O'Neill Lecture 13 June 2012

Held at Bolívar Hall 54 Grafton Way London W1T 5DL

Lecture delivered by Pearse Doherty TD - on behalf of Gerry Adams TD President Sinn Féin

With opening and closing remarks from Ken Livingstone, a welcome by Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada and introduction by Kate Hudson

Gerry Adams' blog about the lecture

Gerry Adams blogged about the lecture here.

Kate Hudson's Introduction

Redmond had politics that were particularly formed by being Irish. This was important for his politics generally and for his anti-imperialism in particular. He always understood the centrality of the question of Ireland for the left in Britain, and why it was so important. He understood that it was not only right and just for the people of Ireland to be free from colonialism, to develop their own social, economic and political advancement. But it was also important for people in this country too, because he rightly understood that without breaking with all forms of oppression and exploitation, such as Britain's role in Ireland, the left and the labour movement would not be able to win its own liberation or take a truly progressive path. He understood this about Ireland, as he did about many things, such as the fight against racism and for women's liberation.

Gerry Adams’ lecture in full delivered by Pearse Doherty TD 13 June 2012

Redmond O Neill – A revolutionary socialist, internationalist and peoples Champion

A Chairde,
Is a great honour to be here to remember with fondness and pride our friends and comrade Redmond O Neill.
It is an opportunity to reflect on his contribution to life and politics and on the struggle for freedom in Ireland – a goal that was close to his heart.
Let me begin by thanking the Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada for allowing us to hold this event in the Bolívar Hall.
Redmond was an internationalist and enormously supportive of the efforts of the Venezuelan peoples in their drive to create a new and better society.
He would be very pleased that we are here.
I want to acknowledge Ken Livingstone with whom Redmond worked for many years.
I don’t know who had the greater influence on the other but their work in support of working people in London and oppressed peoples around the world, in Latin America and Palestine and Ireland and elsewhere was prodigious.
And a very special word of solidarity to Kate Hudson and to Redmond’s family, his sisters Ann and Fidelma, his nieces and others with us tonight.
Redmond’s death left a huge gap in your lives, but as is evident from the numbers here this evening, you are not alone.
A final word of thanks to the organising committee – as an organiser par excellence Redmond would have been proud of your efforts.
I want to thank all of you for coming.

Photos from the lecture 13 June 2012

Redmond O'Neill

Redmond O'Neill