Paul O’Connell
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pmpoc.bsky.social
Paul O’Connell
@pmpoc.bsky.social
socialist | trade unionist | legal academic | foghlaimeoir Gaeilge | denouncing the abyss
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Labour pushes further & further to the right, enabling Reform to go even further still. We’re heading for catastrophe in this country aided by a government that has brought nothing but despair & more division so far. Labour in government appears to be the place where principles & humanity go to die.
November 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
“We will remove the current legal obligation to provide support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute”

Disgusting.
November 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
As the U.S. uses sanctions and tariffs against those who seek to hold Israel accountable for genocide, @shahdhm.bsky.social and I have organised this panel on economic and physical coercion with an excellent group of speakers: twailr.com/webinar-geno...
November 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Being disabled shouldn’t mean you’re on a lower wage, or that you’re afraid to ask for support at work because it could hit you financially.

Having a reasonable adjustment should never lead to a pay cut.

But this is what’s happening to some UCU staff right now.

Short 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
"It does not matter what you call it. Whether you call it 'Israel is our ally', 'Judeo-Christian values', 'maintaining qualitative military advantage', 'Staatsräson'... the oucome, practically, of all of these, is that the Israeli boot remains on the Palestinian neck."
October 24, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I've posted a new paper on SSRN - it argues that unless imperialism is central to our analysis of inequality and its impact on human rights, then our theory and practice remain in a blind alley - forthcoming in the Palestine Yearbook of International Law is.gd/igjgnI
October 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I've posted a new paper on SSRN - it looks at the question of democratic forms (right to protest etc) via the principle of working class self-emancipation, and sets out an argument about how we should engage these forms in times of crisis and authoritarianism is.gd/1fxDIP
October 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I've posted a new paper on SSRN - it looks at the fundamental challenge posed to socio-economic rights by the logic of commodification and how socio-economic rights might be reasserted on the basis of decommodification, human needs, and political struggle is.gd/jdVAiS
October 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
My new piece for @mondoweiss.net. Those who only recognize the genocide of the Palestinian people when they starve adopt a dehumanizing logic /n bsky.app/profile/harm...
"Palestinian life remains bifurcated into these two categories—terrorist and victim—separating those who may be eradicated from those who should be protected, making starvation outrageous but the bombing of civilians insufficiently genocidal."
#Gaza #Palestine #Israel #Genocide
Why it took Palestinians starving for many to finally admit Israel is committing genocide in Gaza
Why has starvation been so crucial in getting some to finally admit Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, as compared to deadlier atrocities? The answer lies in the dehumanization of the Palestinian…
mondoweiss.net
August 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
In both Hebrew and Arabic, “Gaza” means strong and fierce. Etymologically, Gaza originates from the Persian “ganj” which means “treasure.” Ancient Egyptians called it the “prized city.” This is what Israel has done to this fierce, treasure of a prized place
August 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
My article on the Attlee government’s resistance of the ECHR and how this historical episode can inform contemporary Convention critical debates can be found in the April 2025 edn of Pubic Law
May 8, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
🎞️ Tomorrow 🎞️

Join @john-mcevoy.bsky.social alongside speakers from @caatuk.bsky.social and @forceswatch.bsky.social to discuss how we can hold the UK accountable for its role in the ongoing devastation in Gaza and Yemen.

🎟️ 👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-yemen...
From Yemen to Gaza: How can we hold the UK accountable in 2025?
Join us for an evening of short films and critical discussion about UK involvement in Yemen and Gaza.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
June 18, 2025 at 9:07 AM
The British Labour Party - unrepentant apologists for genocide
NEW: UK Government staff have been told to resign if they disagree with Labour's Israel policy.

It comes after 300 staff warned Labour are aiding 'the erosion of global norms' by supporting Israel despite law breaches
June 10, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Thinking of republishing this in zine format to at least try to combat some of the love-in that's planned for 6 August (250th anniversary of his birth) - the anti-socialist, anti-trade union, anti-working class, slum landlord, pro-monarchist and free marketeer, Daniel O'Connell
June 4, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
I shall be guest editor of Public Law’s Special Analysis section next spring: “The Public Order Act 1986 at Forty”

Really looking forward to curating pieces by:
@crwerren.bsky.social on policing public order
@deanknight.bsky.social on NZ recent proposals
@katrinanavickas.bsky.social looking at
May 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
🚩We're back on the picket line this morning.
🚩We'll also be out this Weds, Thurs, and Fri.
🚩Join us at our Gazebo HQ opposite the main UEA bus stop from 8am. #SaveUEA
May 13, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
With renewed interest in Blue Labour, I wrote a post that looks to develop its constitutionalism. More specifically, what does Blue Labour’s rejection of the “abstract ideal of the individual” in favour of “reciprocal obligations” and “solidarity” in society mean for rights?
May 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
"Organize and fight against all imperialism. Stop war profiteering. Lower the cost of living. Resist wage cuts. Peace and socialism is in the hearts of millions around the world. May First, the “sun of tomorrow”, shines upon us. The future is ours". - Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
May 1, 2025 at 7:37 AM
When you find the words of Kneecap more offensive than the industrial murder of an entire people, then there’s something seriously wrong with you and how you relate to this world
April 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
When, some months ago,  we first posted our members’ testimonies - lived experiences of working for UCU - our employer’s only response was a demand they be removed. No contrition, shame or concern for their staff: just an anger we’d shared them.

#UniteVoices

uniteucu.wordpress.com/campaign-cam...
April 24, 2025 at 10:18 AM
If you're a UCU member, please share this, post it to your branch mailing list, and get as many UCU members as possible out in support of our UCU staff
📣 May Day Rally 📣

We remain on strike. With our employer continuing to refuse to meet for talks, join our strike rally on Thursday 1 May, 12-1pm outside UCU head office, Carlow Street, London.

All welcome to show your support for making UCU a safe & professional workplace.

#ThriveNotSurvive
April 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
We might be on day 11 of our strike action, but we’re not letting up.

North West region members were out in force in Manchester this morning.
April 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
We are the people! We won't be silenced! Stop the bombing now, now, now!
#Palestine #Gaza #Ireland #Solidarity
April 9, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Paul O’Connell
Concerned/confused about Labour's direction on disability. Check out this event:

Social Murder in Labour’s Pathways to Work

Date: 10 apr • 17:30

Location: BR G.78 Brooks Building MMU & Online

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-mur...
Social Murder in Labour’s Pathways to Work
This event
www.eventbrite.co.uk
March 27, 2025 at 10:35 AM