As they prepare to submit a formal joint response to the consultation on the draft Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill, two key nationalist residents’ groups - the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community in Belfast and the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition in Portadown – whose communities were at the very heart of the turmoil and conflict over contentious marches in the 1990’s jointly set out their views and concerns.
The Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill, released for public consultation on April 20, purports to offer a solution to the problems created by contentious parades in areas such as the Garvaghy Road and lower Ormeau Road.
Far from solving the issue caused by contentious parades in Portadown, south Belfast and elsewhere however, the Bill creates a whole new range of problems.
Now out for consultation, the draft legislation will bring any and all public gatherings of 50 people or more within the scope of the law - a recipe for potential disaster, and a far cry from the panacea it alleges to offer.
The solution to the vexing and long-standing problem of contentious parades lies not in complex legislation, but in a common sense approach of using viable alternative routes, taking the small number of disputed parades (less than 3% of the total) away from sensitive locations where they have a long history of causing disturbance.
Instead of specifically dealing with the minority of marches that are problematic, the new legislation proposes to treat all parades and outdoor gatherings as if they were the same.
The solution is to focus on the real problem - a small number of contentious loyal order parades that can be resolved by obliging the organisers to take an alternative route.
The re-routing of contentious parades is neither new nor radical. The European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights recognise that restrictions, including route restrictions, can be placed on parades to protect the rights of others, or to prevent disorder. Such restrictions have been upheld by the domestic courts.
Nationalist residents are not seeking to have parades banned. Rather, it is about guaranteeing the right to assembly in a proportionate and balanced way, taking into account the range of human rights violations which can occur when marches are forced upon certain communities.
When a loyal order parade, with a long history of causing sectarian trouble, seeks to pass through a nationalist area, there is a solution which reasonably respects the rights of both the marchers and the residents: the use of a viable alternative route.
If the primary purpose of the parade is to go from A to B, that purpose may equally be satisfied by a number of alternative routes.
We have seen a number of loyal parades over the years that have a shameful secondary purpose: to march through a nationalist or Catholic area for the sole purpose of sectarian triumphalism.
Any code such as the Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill code must, by its nature, be fully capable of taking account of the long years of sectarian conflict and abuse around marches and not air-brush such events from history by the introduction of some arbitrary dateline.
To ignore that history would make absolutely no sense, and be grossly unfair to those who have suffered years of sectarian abuse.
To make a decision on, say, the Drumcree parade without that historical context would be wrong, and cause irreparable damage to wider community relations.
The Public Assemblies, Parades and Protests Bill is a flawed piece of legislation. It is the classic sledgehammer to crack a nut - a difficult nut, yes, but still a nut.
Those responsible for the bill should go back to the drawing-board to create a workable solution based on common sense and human rights.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/parades-bill-takes-a-detour-from-simple-common-sense-14857507.html#ixzz0sKSrvUe7
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Republican Delegation Meets Pows
The meeting that took place was very informative; in that the POWs were able to relay at first hand the conditions which they are living under to the campaign group. Likewise the campaign group was able to brief the prisoners on the campaign outside.
Demands
The POWs spoke of the 2 Demands which needed to be met in order to end the protest.
1. Freedom of Association with an end to controlled movement.
2. End to degrading and humiliating Strip Searches.
Conditions
The POWs painted a vivid picture of their current living conditions. Some described it like living in a sewer. The landings are covered in excrement and urine and this is being pushed and walked back into their cells deliberately by the screws. The POWs' bedding and belongings are also being deliberately interfered with. During meal times the screws, who are dressed in protective clothing; masks, gloves etc, are handling the POWs food using the same gloves that have been contaminated with excrement and urine.
Sickness:
As a result of this unhygienic handling of the POWs food the POWs are already becoming sick. Vomiting and diarrhea is already common place.This is of major concern given that requests for medical treatment have been refused. It's only a matter of time before some of the POWs become seriously ill.
Morale and Unity
Despite living under these conditions the morale and unity among the POWs is very high. This was quite evident to the delegation during the meeting. when the POWs were expressing total confidence in achieving their demands. The comradeship among the POWs was evident to all.
Campaign
The campaign group outlined to the POWs how the campaign was progressing outside and asked the POWs for their views. The POWs stated that they were delighted with all the work the campaign group had done to date. They said that events carried out `taoibh amuigh' increased the moral of all the POWs. The large protests at the gaol were specifically mentioned as they gave a big lift to the POWs. The need for the campaign taoibh amuigh to be escalated was also mentioned.Thanks
The POWs thanked the campaign group for the meeting and for all their work and support. They expressed their gratitude to everyone who has campaigned on their behalf and have also asked for their continued support.
RUC/PSNI Publicity Stunt is a Failure
The article states that there were more members of the RUC/PSNI at the meeting than members of the public!, it also states that the event "failed to stir the general public".
The English chief of the British police in Ireland pledged that "his aim is to deliver normal policing to communities across Newry and tackle the "myths and falsities" about the "PSNI"
At the same time he had dozens of heavily armed paramilitaries guarding the Arts centre
Is this the "normal policing" he is talking about? Or maybe he was referring to recent events in the Derrybeg estate?
Ironically on the opposite page was this article about the recent harassment of Republicans in Newry's Derrybeg estate: A POLICE raid on a Newry estate on Wednesday has been slammed as being like “a scene from the 1970s or ’80s”.
The raid which began on one house in Derrybeg in the early hours of June 16 and extended to a search operation of the estate itself lasted most of the day, with armed PSNI officers stopping vehicles entering and leaving Derrybeg.
Several homes across Newry were also searched on the same day and a number of items were seized for forensic examination. Four men were arrested but were released without charge later the same day.
The day’s events prompted Breandán Mac Cionnaith, general secretary of the Irish socialist republican political party, éirígí, to claim that police are systematically targeting the nationalist community of the city.
“At a time when the great and the good are proclaiming a new beginning for policing in the Six Counties the PSNI is proving, by its own actions, that it is business as usual as far as its treatment of nationalist communities is concerned,” he said.
“Is this the new beginning to policing we were promised? This is not normal policing, this is not civic policing. This is the same repressive policing that we have been subjected to for decades. Nothing has changed with this paramilitary force except their name and badge.”
Mr Mac Cionnaith said that Derrybeg was the target of “Crown Forces harassment” due to its “proud history of opposing the British occupation”.
“Despite the change of name, the primary aim of the PSNI is exactly the same as the primary aim of the RUC – to protect the British occupation of the Six Counties.”
A PSNI spokesperson said anyone who is unhappy with police action should contact the Police Ombudsman.
While elected representatives have not condemned this attack on the Derrybeg community, the ordinary working class people from Derrybeg have rallied around the victims of this draconian policing and have given them their full support. Indeed other communities across the district have also sent messages support.
RUC/PSNI
Unchanged
Unchanging
Unchangable
Monday, 28 June 2010
Successful Protest at Belfast City Hall
Last June, PSNI riot squads hemmed peaceful protestors into the Castle Street area when they attempted to make their way to City Hall to oppose the triumphalist celebration. However, this year, the best efforts of dozens of PSNI landrovers and scores of political police, as well as attempted intimidation by unionist elements, could not prevent around 100 republicans coming from across Belfast to the éirígí-organised demonstration.
McCusker pointed out that, while the British government has now designated June 26 as ‘Armed Forces Day’, families across the Six Counties and beyond are living with the fact that nobody has ever been held to account for the state killings of their loved ones.
Afterwards, éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson said: “Today, the inability of the PSNI to permanently prevent the right to protest was witnessed. All those who made their way to Belfast City Hall are to be commended for upholding this fundamental right in the face of a major attempt at mass intimidation.
“The British government and its agencies of occupation should take note that significant numbers of nationalists and republicans are once again prepared to defy their thugs in uniform in pursuance of the national independence struggle. These numbers will only grow in the time ahead.”
Thursday, 24 June 2010
British Armed Forces Day Protest – Saturday
The éirígí-organised demonstration will take place at Belfast City Hall at 12pm, to coincide with the raising of the British Armed Forces flag on the building.
Mac Cionnaith said: “The marking of British Armed Forces Day by Belfast City Council is a slap in the face to all those who have lost loved ones at the hands of the British army. Coming, as it does, after the publication of the Saville report, the council should have had the sense and sensitivity to refuse to honour those who have murdered hundreds of Irish citizens over the last four decades.
“The fact is the British army is an occupying army in Ireland, its forces remain active along with the PSNI in suppressing the Irish people’s right to national self determination. It is completely inappropriate for any council in Ireland to be acting as cheerleaders for this army.
“It is notable that the constitutional nationalist parties on Belfast City Council have given next to no attention to this issue.”
Mac Cionnaith continued: “éirígí is calling for republicans and socialists from across Belfast to gather at Belfast City Hall on Saturday to express their opposition to the occupations of Ireland and Afghanistan and the decision of Belfast City Council to endorse these crimes.”
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Political Policing in Newry
It could have been a scene from the 1970s or ’80s when, in the early hours of last Wednesday morning [June 16], a large convoy of armoured PSNI landrovers descended on the nationalist Derrybeg estate in Newry.
Dozens of riot clad members of the political police decamped from their vehicles and conducted a politically-motivated operation during which they raided the home of a republican activist. A search operation was also carried out in the surrounding area which lasted for most of the day.
Throughout the day, heavily armed PSNI personnel stopped vehicles entering and leaving Derrybeg, which caused widespread disruption for residents in the area, including parents collecting their children from the nearby school.
Several other homes across the city were also targeted in Wednesday’s raids.
éirígí’s rúnaí ginearálta Breandán Mac Cionnaith condemned the raids: “At a time when the great and the good are proclaiming a new beginning for policing in the Six Counties, the PSNI is proving, by its own actions, that it is business as usual as far as its treatment of nationalist communities is concerned.
“Is this the new beginning to policing we were promised? This is not normal policing, this is not civic policing. This is the same repressive policing that we have been subjected to for decades. Nothing has changed with this paramilitary force except their name and badge.”
Mac Cionnaith continued: “Despite the change of name, the primary aim of the PSNI is exactly the same as the primary aim of the RUC – to protect the British occupation of the Six Counties. Ironically, the actions of the PSNI last week proved that point. The type of political policing is exactly the type of thing the RUC were infamous for.”
The Derrybeg estate has a proud history of opposing the British occupation, whether it comes in the form of the British army or British policing. No doubt, republican activists from the area will continue their work despite this upsurge in Crown Forces harassment.
Serious concern has also been expressed by éirígí as newly published figures show that politically-motivated stop and search legislation has been used on almost 35,000 occasions in the Six Counties within a 12 month period.
Amongst those being harassed with this legislation are éirígí activists engaged in peaceful protests and other political activity.
Mac Cionnaith concluded: “While constitutional nationalist politicians might try to claim that there has been a sea-change in policing in the Six Counties, the reality of ongoing repressive tactics on the ground belies the harsh truth that little has changed. People in working-class communities across the North are only too aware of that fact.”
http://www.eirigi.org/latest/latest220610.html
Friday, 18 June 2010
Families and Friends POW Group presents the IRISH BRIGADE
The Families and Friends of Maghaberry POWs
Present
The Irish Brigade
Friday 2nd July
St Johns Gac Whiterock road Belfast
8pm til the wee hours
£5- admission
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
éirígí: Britain Admits What the World Knows
It may have taken more than 38 years, but the British government today [Tuesday] admitted what the world has known since January 30 1972 – that those the Parachute Regiment slaughtered on the streets of Derry on Bloody Sunday were innocent.
As thousands gathered outside Derry’s Guildhall, British prime minister David Cameron rose to speak in the British House of Parliament and admit that his government could no longer hide from the truth.
Earlier, the families of the 14 dead who have campaigned for so long for truth and justice, were presented with the findings of the Saville Report. The report found:
No warning was given to the thousands on that day’s civil rights march when the British army opened fired on it in 1972.
The British army did not open fire in response to petrol bombers, stone throwers or gun attacks.
Many of the dead and injured were shot while attempting to aid the wounded and dying.
None of the casualties were posing a threat or doing anything that would “justify” their being shot.
The British army lied about its actions on January 30 1972.
Speaking in the House of Commons, David Cameron said that, on behalf of his government and his country, he was “deeply sorry” for the massacre that took place on Bloody Sunday.
éirígí general secretary Breandán Mac Cionnaith said: “Today is, first and foremost, a victory for the families of the 14 dead. Their steadfastness and determination in demanding that Britain face up to what it did to their families on Bloody Sunday has been an inspiration to everyone in Ireland who cares about truth and justice. Even during the darkest days of the last 38 years, they never gave up, never stopped believing that they and the people of Derry were worthy of justice.
“Today, for the first time ever, a British prime minister was forced to stand in his own parliament and apologise for a crime his government committed in Ireland. The people of Derry and the families of the dead should be deeply proud that they have brought this about. éirígí salutes their courage and integrity.”
Mac Cionnaith continued: “If David Cameron is truly sorry about what happened on Bloody Sunday he can do a few things to right the wrongs. Firstly, he can take his troops out of this country and Afghanistan, ensuring that never again will British soldiers run amok in cities and towns where they are not welcome.
“Secondly, he can remove the whole apparatus of the occupation from Ireland and recognise the Irish people’s right to unity and self-determination. He can do likewise in Afghanistan.
“Finally, he can declare Britain’s resolve to never again interfere in the internal affairs of another country and drown democratic movements in blood.
“When David Cameron does these things, we will know he and his government are sincere about righting the wrongs of the past.”
http://www.eirigi.org/latest/latest150610.html
Monday, 14 June 2010
Newry & Mourne Council Pass POW Motion
We, The Families and Friends of Maghaberry POWs in Newry, would like to express our satisfaction at Newry and Mourne District Councils decision to pass a motion at Monday night’s meeting regarding the serious humanitarian issue in Maghaberry prison.
The motion was proposed by Independent Cllr Martin Connolly and the only objections came from four unionists.
The motion proposes that Newry & Mourne district Council writes to, the Justice Minister, David Ford expressing their concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Maghaberry and that the claims from the POWs regarding the inhumane conditions in Roe House be thoroughly investigated.
Newry & Mourne District Council will also seek to send a delegation to Maghaberry prison to meet with the POWs and if necessary meet with the prison authorities as well, this delegation will be made up of councillors and council officials from Newry & Mourne District Council.
This is a small but significant victory in highlighting the suffering endured by republican prisoners and their families.
This issue should be of concern to everyone, regardless of what political parties they support.
We are hopeful that other councillors around the country might now submit similar motions to their councils. We encourage people to contact their local councillors and put pressure on them to highlight the inhumane and intolerable conditions in Maghaberry.
Families and Friends of Maghaberry POWs
Disgraceful Treatment Of POW Delegation
A delegation of the Friends, Family and Ex-Prisoners campaign group have accused the Prison Service of bad faith after the delegation was denied an agreed delegation visit in the jail today. The six person delegation eventually got through to the main visiting area after having to undergo totally unacceptable treatment. It became apparent to the delegation at the early stages that the Prison Service were not treating this group seriously. Problems processing the delegation, delays and lack of facilities outline the unconcerning attitude of the Prison Service in relation to the delegation. The insincere approach of the Prison Service was further evidenced by two other developments during the visit: The first was the prevention of the prisoners' delegation from the meeting through the use of strip searches and secondly the unavailability of governor Taylor (who was supposed to sort out any problems that may arise) when requested by the delegation. The end result was that the delegation visit did not take place.
Speaking outside Maghaberry Paul Little said;
“Today was a wasted opportunity in which the inevitable resolution of the Republican prisoners protest in Roe House has been delayed. It has been delayed by the prison service and the P.O.A. in a vain attempt to continue to penalise republican prisoners and drag the prison regime for republican prisoners back to the 1970.s. We note with concern the words of P.O.A. representative Finlay Spratt on the BBC Spotlight programme were he said the prison system could ‘Bring it on’ in regards to prison reform. His words demonstrate where the problem lies within Maghaberry Prison and it’s not with the republican prisoners who are behaving with great dignity and resolve. The IRSP are fully committed to supporting republican prisoners in their campaign to achieve their human rights within Maghaberry and the first step towards a resolution has to be facing down of the POA and their sectarian bigots within the prison.”
Mandy Duffy (a spokesperson for the Friends of Colin Duffy campaign group), who was also part of the delegation said of the non meeting:
"If the Prison Service think that they can treat this delegation or any future delegation as second class citizens and expect the prisoners and the campaign group to accept this they are seriously mistaken. The inevitable consequences of today's behavior by the Prison Service and the POA will be to highten further tensions within the gaol and reinforce the belief by many that the Prison Service and the POA are not interested in resolving the legitimate concerns of the prisoners."
It has since emerged that the POWs have been forced to escalate their protest by mixing their feces with urine and pouring it out the cell doors
Speaking outside Maghaberry Paul Little said;
“Today was a wasted opportunity in which the inevitable resolution of the Republican prisoners protest in Roe House has been delayed. It has been delayed by the prison service and the P.O.A. in a vain attempt to continue to penalise republican prisoners and drag the prison regime for republican prisoners back to the 1970.s. We note with concern the words of P.O.A. representative Finlay Spratt on the BBC Spotlight programme were he said the prison system could ‘Bring it on’ in regards to prison reform. His words demonstrate where the problem lies within Maghaberry Prison and it’s not with the republican prisoners who are behaving with great dignity and resolve. The IRSP are fully committed to supporting republican prisoners in their campaign to achieve their human rights within Maghaberry and the first step towards a resolution has to be facing down of the POA and their sectarian bigots within the prison.”
Mandy Duffy (a spokesperson for the Friends of Colin Duffy campaign group), who was also part of the delegation said of the non meeting:
"If the Prison Service think that they can treat this delegation or any future delegation as second class citizens and expect the prisoners and the campaign group to accept this they are seriously mistaken. The inevitable consequences of today's behavior by the Prison Service and the POA will be to highten further tensions within the gaol and reinforce the belief by many that the Prison Service and the POA are not interested in resolving the legitimate concerns of the prisoners."
It has since emerged that the POWs have been forced to escalate their protest by mixing their feces with urine and pouring it out the cell doors
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Newry Irish Night in Aid of Republican POWs
Acclaimed Irish folk singer Pól Mac Adaim and political singer/songwriter Ciaran Murphy plus various other artists will play a night in aid of Maghaberry POWs on Saturday July 3rd in the Railway Bar in Monaghan St, Newry.
This event will also be used to launch a Newry branch of the Families and Friends of Maghaberry POWs who have been mobilising hundreds of people and supporting the POWs by organising marches, rallies, protests, pickets and functions across the country.
The formation of this group in Newry and the overall success of mobilising vast numbers of people onto the streets proves that support for republican prisoners is growing and more and more people are willing to get involved.
This promises to be a great night of folk and craic and all for a worthy cause
Victory to Our POWs
Monday, 7 June 2010
Conor Casey-Political Hostage
Tyrone Republican, and former POW, Conor Casey was arrested and charged with firearm and "terrorism" offences. He is now Interned in Maghaberry gaol and could spend a considerable length of time in that hell hole.
The interesting thing is why Conor was arrested and charged and what the so-called evidence is?
It has emerged that Conor's "crime" was that he attended the funeral of his comrade, Óglach John Brady, who was murdered while in British custody. Conor attended his friends funeral and placed the National flag on John's coffin. It seems that this was sufficient enough for the British police to charge him with firearms and "terrorist" offences.
Conor, like many others, could now find himself behind bars for a number of years under this type of de-facto Internment. We have seen numerous examples in recent years of Internment. Sean Hoey, Chris Ward, Terry McCafferty have all been incarcerated for a number of years before their cases collapsed. When Terry McCafferty was released the British said there was no reason for him to be in jail. Numerous other Republicans including Colin Duffy are also interned by remand.
When will Britain learn, that no matter how many times they use draconian laws to try and break the Irish people, they will fail every time?
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Maghaberry POW Fundraising Night
The 1st gig is taking place tonight (June 5th), at St Johns GAA club, Whiterock Rd, West Belfast.
Tonights line up includes Cruncher O'Neill, Pol Mac Adaim and Ciaran Murphy for a night of craic and folk.
Doors open at 8pm, admission is £5
Organised by The Families and Friends of Maghaberry POWs
Thursday, 3 June 2010
National March for the POWs, 25th July
The Concerned Families, Friends of Maghaberry POWs are organising a march in support of the POW's protesting in Maghaberry. It will take place on 25th July 2010 in Lurgan. We ask all those interested to start now to organise for this march. We hope to bring thousands of republicans together for this event. We ask everyone to contact anyone you know who has an interest in POWs. Arrangements should be put in place as soon as possible for transport, to bring people from across the 32 counties to this demonstration of Support for the POWs.
We are also asking any bands willing to take part to get in touch
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
éirígí to Protest Against British Armed Forces Day
HERE'S A REPORT FROM LAST YEARS EVENT ALONG WITH PHOTOS
Right to Protest Suppressed by Riot Squad in Belfast
If proof was ever needed of the unchanged nature of both British policing in Ireland and the wider occupation, it was provided in Belfast today. As one arm of Britain’s occupation forces were ‘celebrated’ with the flying of the ‘Armed Forces Day’ flag above City Hall, another arm of those same occupation forces were busy suppressing the right to peaceful protest.
The picket which was called in opposition to the flying of the ‘Armed Forces Day’ flag over Belfast City Hall was unable to take place as upwards of 120 people were prevented from entering the centre of Ireland’s second city.
As part of this protest the names of those killed as a result of British state violence was read to the listening crowd. The task of reading this lengthy list of names was shared between Marie Drumm, whose mother Máire was murdered by unionist death squads, and éirígí’s Seán Mac Brádaigh. This dignified memorial to the victims of British state violence stood in contrast to the menacing backdrop of the masked militia.
“In light of the potential threat to the safety of those attending the picket we decided that it would be best for people from the west of the city to walk together to City Hall. And this is what we did only to find the footpath blocked by the PSNI riot squad. When we moved to the footpath on the other side of the road the PSNI moved ahead of us to block it also. Despite the spin of the PSNI there was no attempt made by éirígí to march to City Hall. What we witnessed today was the actions of a police state where protest and dissent are met with brute force.”
In closing Breandán committed éirígí to opposing ‘Armed Forces Day’ in the future.
“Today was the first so-called armed forces day. By our protest here today éirígí has ensured that it did not pass unopposed. In the years to come we will build on today’s protest and ensure that June 27th becomes a date of protest – not a date of celebration.”
Monday, 31 May 2010
20 Aid Workers Killed by Israeli Terrorists
éirígí spokesperson Daithí Mac An Mhaistír said: “Yet again, Israel has been exposed as a rogue state in the eyes of the world. Their barbaric treatment of international aid workers seeking to relieve a beleaguered population bears all the hallmarks of a fascistic regime.
“Trade with Israel should be suspended and the preferential agreements the European Union has negotiated should be cancelled. This apartheid state should be boycotted and shunned by the whole world.”
“The more people there are on the streets, the more pressure will be brought to bear upon those in Ireland who insist on collaborating with the Israeli regime.”
Today’s protests are as follows:
Belfast City Hall, 4pm
Guildhall Square, Derry, 5pm
The Spire, O’Connell Street, Dublin, 6pm, for march to Israeli embassy.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Concerned Families and Friends of the Maghaberry Prisoners Public Meeting
Republicans attended a packed meeting in Conway Mill on Saturday, the following article came from Anthony McIntyre's, Pensive Quill.
The Concerned Families and Friends of the Maghaberry prisoners held a public meeting on Saturday 29th May, 2.00pm, at Conway Mill Belfast.
A panel to include human rights activists and legal experts outlined the conditions the men in Maghaberry are being forced to endure and a question and answer session followed for development of debate.
Chairing the proceedings was Maura McCrory, a veteran of the anti-H-Block/Armagh campaign who took to the streets in defence of prisoners rights with The Relatives Action Committee, in 1976.
Former hunger striker Gerard Hodgins and Maureen Fitzsimons, sister of prisoner Harry Fitzsimons, both spoke at the meeting. The text of their speeches follow.
Gerard Hodgins:
Thirty years ago we engaged in a battle that was to have far reaching ramifications for us all. It was the longest and most painful battle of the war when Brendan Hughes forged the Blanketmen into a formidable fighting machine which established once and for all the political legitimacy of the Republican cause and the Republican prisoner. We didn’t fully know it at the time but we changed history. The cost was horrendous and the pain of that battle still wounds many of us. The memories will never leave us, nor can the knowledge that today the inheritors of that sacrifice sit in power in Stormont.
Why are former comrades who experienced the inside of a prison cell the same as many of us allowing this obscenity which is Maghaberry to happen? How can a joint First Minister not have the power to end this shameful situation in his prison? How can one half of the Stormont power bloc be powerless to intervene in Maghaberry prison? The thugs enforcing this regime of shame in Maghaberry are the very same thugs who beat Blanketmen and gloated at the deaths of hunger strikers: the Prison Officers Association.
The only change in the equation is that instead of serving a British government directly the POA are today serving our own locally elected government of which Sinn Fein makes up one half.
Sinn Fein have sat in silence over the years allowing the festering cess-pit of Maghaberry to deteriorate, to date they have expressed an interest in what is happening in Maghaberry, but we need more than an expression of interest from former comrades who know instinctively the fate of Republican prisoners in the British prison system, we need concrete action, we need massive change within the prison regime, we need a party with more spine than the imperialist lickspittle who similarly sat in silence while ten brave men died.
We demand the reintroduction of the regime that was implemented after the hunger strikes, we demand the reintroduction of a safe and humane environment where all prisoners can lead lives of dignity and purpose; and where even screws are saved from the debasement of being torturers.
What I and the rest of us demand is not an impossible dream, we are not asking for new avenues to be explored or opened up, we are not asking for risks to be taken. The things we demand are doable; it has all been done before at no risk to the security of the prison system and it could all be done again: today.
Things have moved on in the wake of the ceasefires, life may be more vibrant than ever in our towns and cities; but life is also still a nightmare existence for that small group of people the rest of society chooses to ignore and pretend doesn’t exist: the prisoners. For them, there is no new dispensation. For them there are only Oscar Wilde’s immortal words: every prison that men build is built with bricks of shame; and bound with bars lest Christ should see how men their brothers maim, Maghaberry prison is an institution built with bricks of shame, Maghaberry prison is bound with bars lest Christ should see how the screws our friends and relatives maim. Maghaberry prison has been shrouded in a veil of official silence – but no more.
We, together, will tear down the bricks of shame, we will expose the sadists of the POA to full public scrutiny and exposure of their cowardly deeds; we have exposed them for the liars they are in trying to tell us Maghaberry is a 5*hotel where the ungrateful fenians beat themselves up just to complain about it afterwards.
We, as a group, came together in the wake of the Easter mini-rising in Maghaberry and pledged to hit the streets, to agitate and campaign until the prisoners in Maghaberry get a proper and humane regime. We are of all political colours and no political colours; we are equally and unanimously and maturely committed to assisting the men in Maghaberry challenge and defeat the inhuman and degrading conditions being imposed upon them through the active aggression of the POA and the silent acquiescence of their political masters in Stormont.
We can all do this together. Go from here today and replicate what we have done here in Belfast across the country: bury your political differences and unite around one common goal, theme and objective: our prisoners. Let every county in this partitioned state organise and demand human rights for the prisoners; it doesn’t take a large, cumbersome structure or massive amounts of money to do: commitment and a belief in the justness of the prisoners’ cause are all that’s needed.
Do this, and we have even greater scope for coordinated actions if we need to seriously consider paralysing the normality of a sick state in order to make it sit up and listen.
Our prisoners deserve that, we owe them that and we owe it to the memory and integrity of our comrades who died that lonely death in 1981. Let a thousand prisoner support groups flourish from here today and let the Stormont ostriches know: we are not going away you know!
Victory to the prisoners.
Maureen Fitzsimons:
My brother Harry Fitzsimons, is a prisoner in Maghaberry. Ironically, my brother is actually in Maghaberry for following orders. He does not want to be in Maghaberry, he wants to be home with his children and partner, and wider family circle; and we want him home with us.
My brother is not a criminal; he is not an animal to be caged and beaten; neither is he self-inflicting any type of harm or hardship upon himself just so he can complain about it later.
My brother, Harry, is the latest victim in a long line of tortured souls to fall under the attention of the screws in the British prison system in Ireland; yesterday it was the H-Blocks, today it is Maghaberry. His crime in their eyes is not that he has been sent to prison but that he is a catholic, a republican: a fenian! Human rights are non-existent in Maghaberry if you are a prisoner, they are completely non-existent if you are a Republican prisoner.
The revelation that all is not well in Maghaberry came as a shock to our family. We experienced the depth of bitterness that characterised the H-Block conflict, we lived through it; the daily reports of prisoners being beaten and the military repression inflicted upon our community as we stood in defiance in support of our prisoners, in defiance of Margaret Thatcher. We don’t want to go through all that again, but already there is a sense of déjà-vu.
We thought that we had seen the prison issue settled once and for all: ten men died lonely deaths of starvation in British prison cells to assert the right and the legitimacy of the Republican cause: it is a horrifying sacrifice we can never forget. But it is all reawakening as the Maghaberry screws diminish the gains and the penal reforms hard won by republican prisoners in the past.
Why are they allowed to get away with this? Why are one group of narrow-minded, unreconstructed sectarian bigots being allowed to drag us back into the past? Where are the voices of those in political power with the power to end this obscenity?
When we leave here today all I ask is that each of you remembers that our prisoners are being forced back into a H-Block-type regime, that our prisoners in Maghaberry are being brutalised. And remember them in your prayers.
Let your elected representatives know how you feel, how you feel that the nightmare of the darkest chapter in British penal policy in Ireland is being reawakened and reinvigorated in Maghaberry.
I know this, because my brother Harry is living that nightmare. I have had to endure watching him disappeared into the lonely isolation of Maghaberry, knowing that he had been beaten, knowing that the screws had chained him to a bed and cut the clothes off him, knowing that he was hurt and me unable to see him, to comfort him. We, his family were not allowed to see him, his solicitor was not even allowed to see him.
This is what the screws are doing. They are also barring immediate family from visiting prisoners. They are a law unto themselves and must be challenged and we are the ones who will mount that challenge on behalf of our prisoners.
The Concerned Families and Friends of the Maghaberry prisoners held a public meeting on Saturday 29th May, 2.00pm, at Conway Mill Belfast.
A panel to include human rights activists and legal experts outlined the conditions the men in Maghaberry are being forced to endure and a question and answer session followed for development of debate.
Chairing the proceedings was Maura McCrory, a veteran of the anti-H-Block/Armagh campaign who took to the streets in defence of prisoners rights with The Relatives Action Committee, in 1976.
Former hunger striker Gerard Hodgins and Maureen Fitzsimons, sister of prisoner Harry Fitzsimons, both spoke at the meeting. The text of their speeches follow.
Gerard Hodgins:
Thirty years ago we engaged in a battle that was to have far reaching ramifications for us all. It was the longest and most painful battle of the war when Brendan Hughes forged the Blanketmen into a formidable fighting machine which established once and for all the political legitimacy of the Republican cause and the Republican prisoner. We didn’t fully know it at the time but we changed history. The cost was horrendous and the pain of that battle still wounds many of us. The memories will never leave us, nor can the knowledge that today the inheritors of that sacrifice sit in power in Stormont.
Why are former comrades who experienced the inside of a prison cell the same as many of us allowing this obscenity which is Maghaberry to happen? How can a joint First Minister not have the power to end this shameful situation in his prison? How can one half of the Stormont power bloc be powerless to intervene in Maghaberry prison? The thugs enforcing this regime of shame in Maghaberry are the very same thugs who beat Blanketmen and gloated at the deaths of hunger strikers: the Prison Officers Association.
The only change in the equation is that instead of serving a British government directly the POA are today serving our own locally elected government of which Sinn Fein makes up one half.
Sinn Fein have sat in silence over the years allowing the festering cess-pit of Maghaberry to deteriorate, to date they have expressed an interest in what is happening in Maghaberry, but we need more than an expression of interest from former comrades who know instinctively the fate of Republican prisoners in the British prison system, we need concrete action, we need massive change within the prison regime, we need a party with more spine than the imperialist lickspittle who similarly sat in silence while ten brave men died.
We demand the reintroduction of the regime that was implemented after the hunger strikes, we demand the reintroduction of a safe and humane environment where all prisoners can lead lives of dignity and purpose; and where even screws are saved from the debasement of being torturers.
What I and the rest of us demand is not an impossible dream, we are not asking for new avenues to be explored or opened up, we are not asking for risks to be taken. The things we demand are doable; it has all been done before at no risk to the security of the prison system and it could all be done again: today.
Things have moved on in the wake of the ceasefires, life may be more vibrant than ever in our towns and cities; but life is also still a nightmare existence for that small group of people the rest of society chooses to ignore and pretend doesn’t exist: the prisoners. For them, there is no new dispensation. For them there are only Oscar Wilde’s immortal words: every prison that men build is built with bricks of shame; and bound with bars lest Christ should see how men their brothers maim, Maghaberry prison is an institution built with bricks of shame, Maghaberry prison is bound with bars lest Christ should see how the screws our friends and relatives maim. Maghaberry prison has been shrouded in a veil of official silence – but no more.
We, together, will tear down the bricks of shame, we will expose the sadists of the POA to full public scrutiny and exposure of their cowardly deeds; we have exposed them for the liars they are in trying to tell us Maghaberry is a 5*hotel where the ungrateful fenians beat themselves up just to complain about it afterwards.
We, as a group, came together in the wake of the Easter mini-rising in Maghaberry and pledged to hit the streets, to agitate and campaign until the prisoners in Maghaberry get a proper and humane regime. We are of all political colours and no political colours; we are equally and unanimously and maturely committed to assisting the men in Maghaberry challenge and defeat the inhuman and degrading conditions being imposed upon them through the active aggression of the POA and the silent acquiescence of their political masters in Stormont.
We can all do this together. Go from here today and replicate what we have done here in Belfast across the country: bury your political differences and unite around one common goal, theme and objective: our prisoners. Let every county in this partitioned state organise and demand human rights for the prisoners; it doesn’t take a large, cumbersome structure or massive amounts of money to do: commitment and a belief in the justness of the prisoners’ cause are all that’s needed.
Do this, and we have even greater scope for coordinated actions if we need to seriously consider paralysing the normality of a sick state in order to make it sit up and listen.
Our prisoners deserve that, we owe them that and we owe it to the memory and integrity of our comrades who died that lonely death in 1981. Let a thousand prisoner support groups flourish from here today and let the Stormont ostriches know: we are not going away you know!
Victory to the prisoners.
Maureen Fitzsimons:
My brother Harry Fitzsimons, is a prisoner in Maghaberry. Ironically, my brother is actually in Maghaberry for following orders. He does not want to be in Maghaberry, he wants to be home with his children and partner, and wider family circle; and we want him home with us.
My brother is not a criminal; he is not an animal to be caged and beaten; neither is he self-inflicting any type of harm or hardship upon himself just so he can complain about it later.
My brother, Harry, is the latest victim in a long line of tortured souls to fall under the attention of the screws in the British prison system in Ireland; yesterday it was the H-Blocks, today it is Maghaberry. His crime in their eyes is not that he has been sent to prison but that he is a catholic, a republican: a fenian! Human rights are non-existent in Maghaberry if you are a prisoner, they are completely non-existent if you are a Republican prisoner.
The revelation that all is not well in Maghaberry came as a shock to our family. We experienced the depth of bitterness that characterised the H-Block conflict, we lived through it; the daily reports of prisoners being beaten and the military repression inflicted upon our community as we stood in defiance in support of our prisoners, in defiance of Margaret Thatcher. We don’t want to go through all that again, but already there is a sense of déjà-vu.
We thought that we had seen the prison issue settled once and for all: ten men died lonely deaths of starvation in British prison cells to assert the right and the legitimacy of the Republican cause: it is a horrifying sacrifice we can never forget. But it is all reawakening as the Maghaberry screws diminish the gains and the penal reforms hard won by republican prisoners in the past.
Why are they allowed to get away with this? Why are one group of narrow-minded, unreconstructed sectarian bigots being allowed to drag us back into the past? Where are the voices of those in political power with the power to end this obscenity?
When we leave here today all I ask is that each of you remembers that our prisoners are being forced back into a H-Block-type regime, that our prisoners in Maghaberry are being brutalised. And remember them in your prayers.
Let your elected representatives know how you feel, how you feel that the nightmare of the darkest chapter in British penal policy in Ireland is being reawakened and reinvigorated in Maghaberry.
I know this, because my brother Harry is living that nightmare. I have had to endure watching him disappeared into the lonely isolation of Maghaberry, knowing that he had been beaten, knowing that the screws had chained him to a bed and cut the clothes off him, knowing that he was hurt and me unable to see him, to comfort him. We, his family were not allowed to see him, his solicitor was not even allowed to see him.
This is what the screws are doing. They are also barring immediate family from visiting prisoners. They are a law unto themselves and must be challenged and we are the ones who will mount that challenge on behalf of our prisoners.
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Constitutionals Make Empty Threats
Yesterday a glimmer of hope emerged for a split second as i came across a number of media outlets proclaiming that "SF Will Review It's Co-operation With PSNI", the first thing i thought was what in gods name has happened for such a bold, dramatic threat to emerge? What grave injustice has been inflicted upon the Irish people?
Was it because of 35,000 stop and searches in 12 months?
Was it because the Chief of the British Militia was trying to prevent an inquest into shoot to kill policy?
Increased RUC/PSNI harassment?
The use of plastic bullets?
Increased payments to Brit touts?
Increase in political policing?
Attempts to frame republicans?
It was none of the above, this empty threat emerged because a former priest didn't get a job on the British Policing Board!
The former priest is a brother of Dermot Kennedy, who is a former Sinn Fein Westminster and Assembly election candidate. It's also interesting to note that he is quite wealthy and lives in former Judge's mansion. Dermot has been described as an entrepreneur by one of his comrades, Mairtin O'Millionaire. Onwards to the Socialist Republic eh?
Surely to god the irrelevants could pick a better reason to make a veiled threat that will never materialise.......couldn't they?
Another thing i would also like to mention is Gerry Adam's recent blog post (though it looks more like it came from Gerry's bog)
It reads like something that came straight from the NIO or Jonathon Powell's desk.
In his bog Gerry mentions the "segregated wing" rather than the Republican wing and he refers to the men in Roe House as "prisoners" rather than Republican prisoners, political prisoners or POWs. The term "prisoners" puts those men in the same level as common criminals.
Sad times
Was it because of 35,000 stop and searches in 12 months?
Was it because the Chief of the British Militia was trying to prevent an inquest into shoot to kill policy?
Increased RUC/PSNI harassment?
The use of plastic bullets?
Increased payments to Brit touts?
Increase in political policing?
Attempts to frame republicans?
It was none of the above, this empty threat emerged because a former priest didn't get a job on the British Policing Board!
The former priest is a brother of Dermot Kennedy, who is a former Sinn Fein Westminster and Assembly election candidate. It's also interesting to note that he is quite wealthy and lives in former Judge's mansion. Dermot has been described as an entrepreneur by one of his comrades, Mairtin O'Millionaire. Onwards to the Socialist Republic eh?
Surely to god the irrelevants could pick a better reason to make a veiled threat that will never materialise.......couldn't they?
Another thing i would also like to mention is Gerry Adam's recent blog post (though it looks more like it came from Gerry's bog)
It reads like something that came straight from the NIO or Jonathon Powell's desk.
In his bog Gerry mentions the "segregated wing" rather than the Republican wing and he refers to the men in Roe House as "prisoners" rather than Republican prisoners, political prisoners or POWs. The term "prisoners" puts those men in the same level as common criminals.
Sad times
They call us 'cons' to right the wrongs,
They do it with a pen,
They call us 'crims' to suit their whims, Of politics my friend,
But they can call us all they want
For the people call us men"
-Bobby Sands
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Political ‘Stop and Search’ powers used almost 35,000 times – repression clearly on the increase
Rúnaí Ginearálta éirígí Breandán Mac Cionnaith said, “In recent years, there has been a very steady, noticeable and disturbing increase in the use of politically motivated legislation by the PSNI in the Six Counties.
“That such legislation was used on almost 35,000 occasions in the twelve months between 1st April 2009 and March 31st this year should be matter of serious alarm and major disquiet to all those concerned with the protection of human and civil rights.
“Indeed, this is particularly true when one considers that, between 1st January and March 31st this year, the PSNI made use of powers under Section 44 of the “Terrorism Act” on 8,200 occasions.
“That figure alone demonstrates the contempt which the PSNI and Policing Board have for human rights in the Six Counties.
“The vast majority of usage during that three month period occurred after the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) had issued a landmark judgment in early January which stated that “the Court considers that the powers of authorisation and confirmation as well as those of stop and search under sections 44 and 45 of the 2000 (Terrorism) Act are neither sufficiently circumscribed nor subject to adequate legal safeguards against abuse. They are not, therefore, ‘in accordance with the law’.” The Court also stated that that the powers constituted a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and warned that there was a clear risk of arbitrariness in the granting of such a broad discretion to police.
Mac Cionnaith added, “At the time of that judgment, éirígí was one of the very few organisations prepared to publicly call for the ECtHR ruling to be made immediately applicable to the Six Counties. We also said that the ECtHR ruling was extremely pertinent for the Six Counties where there already had been a dramatic rise in the use of repressive stop and search powers under Section 44.
“Indeed, based on these new figures, it can be seen just how dramatic that increase in the use of repressive powers has been. In 2006, stop and search powers were used by the PSNI and British Army 14,910 times during a 12 month period – a figure then described as “shocking” by those nationalist politicians who have since endorsed the political policing methods of the PSNI.
“One wonders how credible any response from those nationalist parties at Stormont, or from David Ford as so-called justice minister, can be when faced with the facts that the PSNI are using repressive legislation with such frequency that the overall figure for 12 months stands at almost 35,000.
“These newly published figures and January’s European Court ruling clearly demonstrate the illegal and arbitrary reality of British policing in the Six Counties. It is a reality far removed from what was promised by the nationalist parties who took the decision to endorse the PSNI.”
http://www.eirigi.org/latest/latest250510.html
Duffy Family Banned From Visiting Colin
The Lurgan-based campaign group, The Friends of Colin Duffy, has strongly criticised a decision made today by the Prison Service to ban Mr Duffy’s wife, Martine, and his brother, Paul, from visiting him in Maghaberry Prison.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the campaign group said:
“Earlier today, the Prison Service informed Colin Duffy that both his wife, Martine, and his brother, Paul, were banned from visiting him in Maghaberry Prison. No reasons were given for this arbitrary banning order.
“It is our understanding that the Duffy family are presently taking urgent legal advice with a view to challenging the prison authorities’ prohibition of visits by immediate family members. We expect that such a challenge will be mounted through the courts in the coming days.
“This banning of family members from prison visits represents a serious breach of a prisoners’ human and civil rights and we believe that such a banning order also represents a clear contravention of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights which states that ‘Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence’.
“It is noticeable that the European Court has previously ruled, on a number of occasions, that such arbitrary interference with Article 8 rights of prisoners is incompatible with European law.
“This latest oppressive and provocative move by the authorities at Maghaberry prison is clearly designed to increase tensions both inside and outside the gaol. It also represents a pre-meditated escalation by the prison authorities of their efforts to break the resolve of Republican POW’s in the ongoing campaign to achieve freedom of association and end to strip searches.
“It is patently obvious that the prison authorities and, indeed, David Ford, as so-called Justice minister, are permitting the unionist-dominated POA with its a long history of acting as ‘a force within a sectarian force’ to dictate conditions within Maghaberry prison.
“We fully condemn this deliberate provocation and targeting of prisoners’ families, and call on all those interested in upholding human and civil rights to demand that this latest authoritarian and oppressive measure be immediately rescinded. "
ENDS
Monday, 24 May 2010
Successful POW Picket in Camloch
On Friday (21st May), between 60-70 Republicans held a white line picket in Camlough, South Armagh from. In attendance were families of the POWs, lifelong republicans and Ex-POWs.
This picket was to show support and solidarity with Republican POWs currently incarcerated in Maghaberry Gaol. The event also highlighted the inhumane conditions that the POWs in Maghaberry have to endure including:
• 23 hour lock up
• Degrading Strip searches of POWs and their visiting families
• Controlled movement
• Sniffer dog searches
• Criminalisation
There has to be an immediate end to the brutal regime in place in Maghaberry, under which republican prisoners have to endure strip searches, 23-hour lock up, controlled movement, sniffer dog searches, assaults and the criminalisation policy which is in place in an attempt to portray these political prisoners as common criminals.
During the picket a banner was re-erected in the village calling for an end to the criminalisation of Republican POWs.
Republican prisoners are not criminals, they are political prisoners and are in prison because of their opposition to the British occupation. These men would not even be in jail if it wasn’t for the ongoing British presence in Ireland. They are clearly political prisoners and they should be treated as such.
It was also fitting that this event fell on the 29th anniversary of Óglach Raymond McCreesh who along with his 9 brave comrades, paid the supreme sacrifice to achieve better conditions and to smash Thatcher’s policy of criminalising Republican POWs. Today in 2010, The POWs are again being criminalised and brutalised by the very same system that the Blanket Men and Hunger Strikers fought against
The only way the conflict in Maghaberry will be resolved is for political status to be restored for republican prisoners and for the harassment and degrading treatment of political prisoners and their visiting families to be ended immediately.
The picket was organised by local Republicans in conjunction with the Concerned Families & Friends of Maghaberry POWs
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Public Meeting in support of POWs in Conway mill
This meeting has been organized by the Ex-Pows Familys and Friends group .
The aim of the meeting is to form a proper committee who will tasked with moving on the campaign on behalf of OUR POWs.
The demand is simple we want Political Status restored.
OUR POWs are now being criminalised and brutalised by the very same system that the Blanket Men and Hunger Strikers fought against .
Theirs is the same Demand.
“Everyone, Republican or otherwise, has their own particular part to play. No part is too great or too small; no one is too old or too young “
RESTORE POLITICAL STATUS NOW!
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Roe House conditions an appalling abuse of right: Jim Gibney
I have to admit i was pleasantly surprised with Jim Gibney's piece in today's Irish News, he captured quite well what is happening inside Maghaberry and highlights the suffering that the Republican POWs have to endure. Plus in the first sentence he describes those incarcerated as Republican prisoners, which is exactly what they are.
Although there were a few things i disagreed with him on including when he said that "there is no british government sponsored campaign trying to criminalise them", its clear that there is a criminalisation policy Jim and it's being endorsed by many including those who should know better.
All in all it was a decent article, and i hope to see more of the same from the constitutionals.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
British Justice Minister, David Ford, In Visit to Maghaberry
Word has just been sent out from Maghaberry that British Justice Minister, David Ford, has just been on a visit to the gaol.
He was escorted by up to 20 screws along the Republican wing. The wing had been cleaned just before his visit and he was shown an empty undamaged cell.
The POWs were banging on the cell doors demanding that he speak to the prisoner's but they were ignored. He left after about 10 Minutes without speaking to any of the POWs.
A number of relatives who travelled long distances to visit their loved ones had their visits cancelled, they only learnt of this when they arrived at the gaol.
It seems like this was nothing but a cheap, pathetic stunt, he was shown a clean landing, an empty, clean, undamaged cell and didn't speak to any of the victims of human rights abuses incarcerated in Maghaberry. He also had his photograph taken in the clean, empty, undamaged cell.
We can safely say that there will be no progress made and this will not be resolved because he wasn't shown what its really like. The prison clearly had prior knowledge that he was coming and were prepared for his visit, David Ford will probably be leaving Maghaberry wondering what all the fuss is about.
Maybe if they had of showed him Harry Fitz lying chained to a bed, bloodied and bruised like an animal, rather than have him looking at an empty cell, then maybe it would have made a difference.
Also, recently a constitutional nationalist delegation made up of former Republicans also visited the gaol and met with Republican POWs (though they only described them as prisoners).
They said in their vague statement that "They didn't meet with Harry due to a misunderstanding"
Lets make this clear, Harry was informed that the delegation had asked to meet with him and he agreed to meet. Harry was then told that in order to meet with the delegation he would have to shower, which he did.
He was then left sitting in his cell waiting.
No-one came near him to explain why he wasn't permitted to meet with the delegation.
Its clear that the corrupt prison administration pulled the wool over their eyes and im sure that PSF know that. If the delegation had of met Harry then they would have seen the serious injuries inflicted upon him. And most likely something would have been done about it.
They should say it like it is rather than be so vague about it. PSF are not stupid, they know fine well that the POA are up to their dirty tricks.
It also said in their statement that they will meet "with representatives of the prison administration as well as the Minister for Justice, David Ford, regarding our deep concerns about the current situation for prisoners and their families in Maghaberry,”", and hey presto! David is brought to a clean, empty, undamaged cell and gets his photograph taken.
The POWs and their support group have stated from the start that this is a humanitarian issue and all help is welcome (even if it is from constitutionals). But lets also remember that these are the people that label Republicans as "criminals", "traitors", and call for them to face British Courts and British gaols in Ireland, The delegation going to Maghaberry should be cautiously welcomed but lets not get our hopes up.
We should also point out that David Ford has received numerous emails, letters, and repeated requests from the families and friends of POWs to meet with them. To date there as been no response from David or his office.
It will be interesting to see what lies ahead, but it's looking bleak after this pathetic stunt.
UPDATE: The concerned families and friends of the Maghaberry pow’s have released the following statement re David Ford’s visit.
The Concerned Families and Friends of the Maghaberry prisoners view David Ford’s visit to the prison today as a wasted opportunity to begin a process to bring to an end to the inhumane conditions in Maghaberry.
“David Ford went to Maghaberry to get his photograph taken in an empty cell. He spoke with none of the prisoners, he listened to none of the complaints they have. David Ford knows he is going to have to confront this issue and hiding behind a POA gang of 20 screws just to get his photograph taken is no substitute for engagement.
David Ford has already went on record to claim prisoners are beating themselves up so they can later complain about it.
David Ford has been asked repeatedly for a meeting by us and yet he contemptuously refuses even to acknowledge our requests.
Where is the professed inclusivity of the Alliance position, where is the coming together so often espoused by Alliance.
We condemn this publicity stunt for what it is: a stunt. Further we repeat our demand that Ford meet with us and that he bring an end to the terrorisation of our prisoners in Maghaberry.” ends.
éirígí: Maghaberry Gets the Message
The family and friends of prisoners were joined by republicans from across the Six Counties and further afield in a noisy demonstration of solidarity.
The protestors gathered in the prison car park before marching the short distance to Maghaberry’s main entrance, led by relatives carrying the names of those republicans incarcerated there and a republican flute band. At the gates, the rally was addressed by former POWs and family members of serving political prisoners, including the sister of Harry Fitzimmons who, last week, was chained to a bed by screws and had his clothes cut off his back after he refused to consent to a strip search.
Binlids were banged, horns blown and fireworks set off to make it clear to the prisoners that support for the campaign is strong and to send a message to the prison regime that it cannot abuse political prisoners without facing a response on the outside.
éirígí general secretary Breandán Mac Cionnaith said: “The brutalisation of the republican prisoners in Maghaberry has clearly touched a nerve among nationalist communities in the Six Counties. Many people remember only too well the treatment meted out to POWs in the 1970s and early ’80s and they are not prepared to allow this situation take the same sad route.
“At this moment, people should put their political opinions to one side and mobilise for the restoration of political status. This is the only way this situation can be resolved.”
http://www.eirigi.org/
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