SDLP Youth Pays Tribute to Party Co-Founder, Austin Currie
It is with great sadness that SDLP Youth have learned of the passing of Austin Currie.
Austin Currie was tireless in his fight for civil rights and to end discrimination in Northern Ireland. He was, and is, an icon of direct action and non-violent protest in the face of injustice.
At a time of gerrymandering, disenfranchisement, and discrimination in housing allocation, Austin saw the effects of state discrimination and was determined to challenge the civil wrongs inflicted by the Northern Ireland Government, and to work to advance the realisation and protection of the human rights of all citizens.
Elected to the Stormont Parliament in May 1964 to represent East Tyrone as a Nationalist MP, Austin soon realised with much frustration that the political system was stacked against any MPs not of the governing Unionist Party. Opposition parties tried, and failed, to challenge successive Governments and demand legal reform to address issues of inequality and discrimination. It became apparent that something else, something more radical, was required.
When a young woman with no dependents but with connections to a prospective Unionist candidate was allocated a house in Kinnard Park in the village of Caledon, despite the lengthy waiting list of families seeking a house in the area, Austin was determined to take direct action.
On 20 June 1968, Austin, alongside Patsy Gildernew and Joe Campbell, broke into the house and occupied it. It was, as Austin said, a non-violent protest to highlight injustice. Austin’s act served as a catalyst for a tidal wave of mobilisation and change. It was a seminal moment in the history of Northern Ireland, for the civil rights movement, and for the struggle for rights and equality for all.
In 1970, several leaders shared a vision for a better, shared society built on peace and prosperity, and came together to work to put the world to rights. Austin Currie, alongside John Hume, Gerry Fitt, Ivan Cooper, Paddy Devlin, and Paddy O’Hanlon founded the Social Democratic and Labour Party, and set us on the path we as young activists are so honoured to walk today.
He was appointed to serve as the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning in the first power-sharing Executive in 1974 before the collapse of Government and the introduction of direct rule; Austin subsequently worked to help deliver peace and a new future.
At the darkest of times, Austin preserved. He and his family were threatened with and endured violence and intimidation,and he continued to advocate for change, for equality, and for parity of esteem.
Austin’s legacy is a legacy of hope over fear, solidarity in the face of division, and social justice for all citizens who call this island home. As young activists striving for the progression of human rights and equality, we cannot fully express our gratitude for Austin and his lifelong work. We can, however, pledge to continue in his work, and the work of the Party he co-founded, and strive for a future where civil rights triumph over civil wrongs.
In honour of Austin Currie and his lifelong work for social justice, we now carry the beacon, and we shall overcome.