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May
is the month of rebirth, optimism and rejuvenation.
The starting of new life is abounding. The calves
and lambs are born and little ducklings can be seen
single filed behind their mother. May also represents
the strength, fortitude and determination of the true
Irish Republican Movement in the continuing fight
for Irish freedom.
Twenty
two years ago this May is the anniversary of the start
of the deaths of the Ten H-Block hunger strikers who
gave the ultimate sacrifice towards a free Ireland.
After sixty-six days on hunger strike Bobby Sands
drew his last breath on May 5th. Over the next months
we would see O`Hara, Hughes, Devine and six more brave
volunteers follow the painful path to martyrdom. Their
names not to be forgotten. The Irish martyrs refused
to give in to the Brit attempt at criminalizing the
Republican struggle for national liberation as an
unjust war. The POWs would never agree to the label
of criminal. It would be the return of special category
status or death, and ten dead there would be.
The
Hunger Strikers are the continuing source of inspiration
and gut level determination that Irish Republicans
look towards today. Especially the current Irish POWs
held behind bars by the Brits and their collaborators
in Dublin. The irony for the current Freedom Fighters
is that once again they are fighting for the special
status that Sands, Devine and the others died for!
Under
terms in the flawed and failing Good Friday Agreement
of 1998, Irish Republicans who would be charged, convicted
(non-jury courts) and jailed there after would once
again be labeled as common criminals and be housed
with drug addicts, rapists and loyalist murderers.
The
“Great Betrayal” of current Irish POWs by
the signers of the Good Friday Agreement, including
the Provisional Movement, is having dire effects today.
Attention must be shined upon the current untenable
situation that the Irish prisoners now find themselves
struggling against. The Irish Republicans are under
continuous threat, harassment and intimidation by
loyalist murderers and also find themselves out numbered
14 to 1 in some instances with in a wing. Murder attempts
have been carried out numerous times resulting in
men being scalded and beaten. Guard harassment is
a never ending, intimidation of visitors is ongoing
with demeaning acts as having to be sniffed and cleared
for visit by a dog.
Most
disturbing is the intimidation put on those who wish
to raise funds for dependents of the prisoners by
raffles, dances and dinners. Publicans have refused
access to their pubs for those who would help the
POWs in raising support. Why? Is it because we follow
a different road than the Provisionals? Many who refuse
to help were once behind the bars of prison themselves.
Do the rank and file Provos truly want to turn their
backs and pretend these Republicans deserve no less
than what they would have received? The Irish patriots
need support now more the ever in securing political
status once again, that was stripped from them.
The
Irish POWs have made clear their 4 demands which are;
separation of Republicans from ordinary criminals
and Loyalists, a wing or space of their own, right
to appoint a spokesperson and recognition as a group.
Without the brave men and woman Volunteers who are
willing to forsake all in the name of Irish freedom
and risk life and limb for the sake securing the dreams
of 1916 the Republican Movement would dry and shrivel
like the leaves of Autumn. Yet, with the coming of
May we will again find the seeds of courage spouting
from the death of the 10 brave Irish hunger strikers
of twenty-two years past.
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