Young Irish language activists will visit the Amazon in Brazil in solidarity with indigenous communities there

Meitheal Uí Chadhain, named after the socialist and republican Irish language leader, is a solidarity network of young Irish language activists that will be travelling from Ireland to the Amazonian Rainforest in Brazil to support and learn from the indigenous people living there as they campaign against environmental exploitation driven by capitalist and colonial interests, particularly from the United States, England, and the European Union.

Caoimhe Ní Choinn, Eimear Nic Ionnrachtaigh, Eoghan Ó Conghaile, Naoise Ó Cuilín and Eoghan Ó Garmaile are part of the group travelling to the Amazon. The money raised will go towards us travelling to the Amazon as well as support and resources for the communities we will be meeting with. Solidarity, education, and internationalism are the watchwords of the group, and we aim to learn from radical communities around the world as well as support them through acts of solidarity not only while we are in those countries but also from here at home.

In May 2024, representatives of indigenous communities from the Amazon in Brazil met with us as part of their international delegation to Ireland and the United Kingdom. This delegation was part of their campaign against exploitation by major companies and to support their forests and human rights. They visited Gael-Ionad Mhic Goill during Féile na gCloigíní Gorma, the unique local festival in Upper Springfield, which has the central theme of “Community, Solidarity, Well-being.”

We had a conversation circle with them where they spoke about the oppression they have faced from international capitalist and colonial interests and their resistance against this exploitation. Additionally, they planted trees at Gael-Ionad Mhic Goill, which will soon be ready to be planted on the Black Mountain as part of the local campaign here to rewild and reforest the mountain.

You can support our campaign and solidarity initiative here – all help is much appreciated!

For more information, contact Eoghan Ó Garmaile (eoghan@glornamona.com)