MIRIAM JAMES a much-loved and tireless campaigner for Irish freedom died in London early on Sunday morning, 14 December, the age of 69, after a three-month serious ilIness.Miriam spent her Scotland, moving to Dublin at 14, where she joined Cumann na nBan. She also helped set up Cumann na gCailini, its junior wing.
In 1934 Miriam joined the newly-formed Republican Congress and the briefly-resucitated Irish Citizens Army, working with people. later fought and died in the International Brigade in Spain. Miriam herself was interned in Mountjoy jail from 27 June 1940 to 20 March 1943. Six years later she came to London. In 1977 she became involved in community politics in North Kensington. Soon afterwards she joined the Labour Party and, in June 1983, the Labour Committee on Ireland.
Miriam Committee, and also secretary of the organising committee for the major demonstration that was held on 19 August 1984 marking the fifteenth anHIVERA British troops streets. In July 1984 she took a GLC-funded job establishing the Battersea and Wandswoth Irish Group. In May 1985 almost less than a year later she started work in the Ethnic Minorities Unit of the GLC, as a policy advisor on the needs of the Irish community where she helped organise numerous other events. Also in 1985, as a delegate to Labour Party conference, Miriam moved a resolution calling for British withdrawal from Ireland.
This year she saw the fruition of her work as secretary Bloody Sunday anniversary demonstration. When she fell ill and became unconscious in September She was helping to organise the sinn rein coun cillors visit to England, which took place in October. Miriam would have been delighted by its success. Her death will be a loss to the struggle for Irish freedom.
relatives.
first. 12 years in became secretary of LCI's London returning to Irish of the committee mobilising for the Socialist Action extends its conall Miriam James comrades