Revolutionary Youth Union
| Anarchism in Gylias |
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The Revolutionary Youth Union (French reformed: L'union d'l'jeunesse révolutionnaire), abbreviated RYU (UJR) is a youth organisation in Gylias. It represents the Gylian pioneer movement, coexisting with the non-political Scouting Confederation of Gylias.
Apart from promoting anarchism and political consciousness, the RYU runs a variety of recreational and volunteering activities.
History
The RYU was established in the Free Territories, at the initiative of scouts who explicitly sided with the anarchists. As an explicit pioneer movement, it provided a politicised counterpart to regular scouting.
When the Democratic Communist Party was established in 1946, the RYU became associated with it, while remaining officially independent. It would be referred to as "assisting" the DCP.
The Freeman family, as the first central committee of the DCP, used the RYU's political activities to promote anarchism and fight against the authoritarian socialists and communists of the Liberation War's "alliance of convenience". The struggle would culminate in the 1956 Lucian Purge.
The RYU participated together with the SCG in reconstruction during the National Obligation period, and had a notable role in the transformations of the Golden Revolution. Iulia Edver built a close relationship with the RYU, encouraging them to act as a ginger group for society during the period.
The RYU condemned the Progressive Alliance's participation in the Aén Ďanez government, and voted to officially end ties with the DCP in 1978. During the wretched decade, it would build closer relations with other anarchist organisations, including the Anarchist Federation and People Power-Citizens' Movement. It voted to restore relations with the PA in 1989.
Membership
The RYU has around 250.000 members as of 2020.
It has an age-scale structure, composing both children between the ages of 6 and 14, and young people between the ages of 14 and 25.
Uniform
RYU members have a distinctive uniform consisting of a white shirt, blue trousers or skirts, and a red neckerchief.
Program and ideals
The RYU's goals are explicitly anarchist, without adherence to a single school of thought. It has been active in consciousness raising campaigns, promotion of political and philosophical education, and providing practical experience of anarchist self-organisation.
During the Free Territories and transition to Gylias, RYU members were involved in anti-religious universalism campaigns.
Activities
Besides political education and social experimentation, the RYU takes part in a range of activities in Gylian society. These include sports and leisure, ceremonies and performances, summer camps and vacations, festivals, cultural and entertainment events, collecting waste material for recycling, parades and demonstrations.