The personal vision of the secretary of the International Department of the Irish party “Sinn Fein” Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais.
The annual conference of The Anti Globalization Movement of Russia was held over two days In Moscow on the 25th and 26th of September in the Ritz Carlton hotel near Red Square. I was impressed to see representatives from as far away as Texas, California, Borinka (Puerto Rico), Western Sahara, South Sudan, Lebanon as well as European nations/areas like Catalonia, Lombardi, Ukraine and of course myself speaking on the situation in Éire (Ireland). We were each given approximately 15 minutes to talk on our own issues, this included the time taken for translation. There was also two video messages from Hawaii and Somali-land.
On Sunday the 25th many of the streets of Moscow were sealed off due to a marathon race leading to difficulty getting to the venue but this was all taken in stride by the organizations staff and we arrived in plenty of time, whether by taxi, subway or having to walk a short distance. Before the mass media event started we were met individually to Alexander Ivanof who in-turn explained to the media present who we were. On arrival it was plain to see this was viewed as a big event with many media outlets, both print and tv present. All were eager to interview the delegates on different topics, not necessarily the home issues of the respective delegates. Not all media were in favor of this gathering and asked quite pointed questions. For myself I was questioned on a range of topics such from the war in Syria, the United Nations, Brexit and of course Ireland to, who paid for my flight, one reporter being silenced for a few seconds when I pointed out that I bought my own ticket. Suggestions from a few reporters as to whether I and Sinn Féin were being used in a cynical manner by Vladimir Putin himself were met with the response that I was there to highlight the occupation of a part of my land and ongoing oppression in the Occupied Six Counties of Ireland. I added that mainstream media ignores many of the issues being highlighted at the conference and an opportunity like this could not be ignored by us, but in the same breath I said that we in Sinn Féin will maintain our own integrity as a political grouping, that out main goal would not be deviated from.
Monday the 26th saw us at a live TV press conference with a question and answer session included. At the top table were representatives from California, Borinka, myself, Lebanon Texas, the Anti Globalization movement and the chair, each being introduced with a brief description of their respective countries etc. Questions didn’t flow very fast here but the questions that were asked were thought provoking. After the live session and outside the tv studio several tv camera crews awaited us with more questions. Stations from the Arab World to Russian regional crews were eager again to interview the delegates. Afterwards I asked why these questions weren’t asked inside in studio and it was pointed out that the respective media would then loose any “scoop” , which does make sense.
All in all I think it was a worthwhile event, I will be recommending our participation in further events. I cannot remember a time when we in Sinn Féin have had an opportunity to be interviewed by upwards of a dozed international media outlets. The Anti Globalization Movement were very professional and great care was taken to ensure a smooth running event.