Revolutionary Housing League Sraith Réabhlóideach Tithíochta | |
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| Abbreviation | RHL |
| Founded | June 2022 (2022-06) |
| Preceded by | Revolutionary Workers Union |
| Ideology | Anti-homelessness Anti-eviction Revolutionary socialism Irish republicanism |
| Political position | Far-left |
| Affiliated groups | Anti-Imperialist Action Ireland[1] |
TheRevolutionary Housing League (RHL) is an Irishsocialistrepublican[1] housing activist group that was founded in 2022 by the Revolutionary Workers Union (RWU).[2] It has carried outdirect action bysquatting in empty buildings. The group is affiliated withAnti-Imperialist Action Ireland.
In May 2022 a group calling themselves the Revolutionary Workers Union (RWU) begansquatting in a building onEden Quay in Dublin and dubbed it "James Connolly House". The building was owned by theSalvation Army and was reportedly being refurbished for use byUkrainian refugees fleeing theRussian 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]
As part of printed material distributed by RHL during campaigning, the group states that it "opposes the dominance ofvulture funds,Airbnbs andmultinationals 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 theDemocratic Programme of the First Dáil in its material.[11]
RHL is heavily affiliated with another Socialist Irish Republican group calledAnti-Imperialist Action Ireland.[1][11]
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.
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