The annual poppy season begins again this month, and of course we can anticipate the same poppy fascism from the media and the glorification of British imperialism that accompanies it.
The Poppy is continually portrayed as a symbol of remembrance, though the actual purpose of the Poppy and the raising of funds is not remembrance but, according to the British Legion, to ‘provide support to current serving and ex-serving members’ of the British armed forces; it is about standing, as they publicly state, ‘shoulder to shoulder with all who serve’ in those same forces.
Supporting the Poppy Appeal equates to support for the British Army, among them members of the long-disgraced UDR and other British military units who, in collusion with other state agencies, carried out a campaign of assassination of Irish citizens, and who today still conceal the truth regarding their actions. To stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with members or ex-members of those same forces is not a position that can align with those concerned with freedom, truth or justice.
So as almost a month of continual poppy propaganda and glorification of British colonialism in the name of remembrance begins, Republicans are of course right to begin to again highlight the real symbolism of the poppy.
To many it means occupation; to others, collusion and state sponsored death squads; and to many others across the globe it means mass murder.
