SPIRIT OF HUNGER STRIKERS LIVES ON. ----------------------------------- IRELAND UNFREE SHALL NEVER BE AT PEACE. --------------------------------------- Since British forces first sought to conquer Ireland in 1169, hundreds of thousands of Martyrs have fallen in the struggle for freedom and independence. This year we specifically commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the painful and heroic death on hunger strike of 10 Martyrs. These were: Bobby Sands (PIRA) Francis Hughes (PIRA) Raymond McCreesh (PIRA) Joe McDonnell (PIRA) Martin Hurson (PIRA) Kieran Doherty (PIRA) THomas McElwee (PIRA) Patsy O`Hara (INLA) Kevin Lynch (INLA) Mickey Devine (INLA) Although those 10 Martyrs first entered their struggle to win justice, National independence and Self - Determination for Ireland, it is sad to note that 20 years later, we do not appear to be any closer to these objectives. The Six counties of Ireland are still occupied bt British Troops, and the Nationalist Population is still attacked by Death squads backed by the British Army and RUC ( almost one pipe bomb attack per day in January / February 2001 ). POLITICAL STATUS UNDER RENEWED ATTACK ------------------------------------- Not only are the final objectives as far away as ever, but the specific aim of the hunger strike of `81, summed up in the title of " Political Status for Irish Political Prisoners", for which the 10 Martyrs gave their lives, has been abolished. The statement has gone out that "all republican Prisoners have now been released". THIS IS A LIE. Those Republican Prisoners who have not signed up to the Good Friday Agreement, or who were arrested after the signing of the GFA in `98, are still in British and Irish Government Jails. And in the British jails, moves are afoot to begin to criminalise the prisoners, the same policy that led to the deaths of those 10 heroes in 1981. NO PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE; NO JUSTICE WITHOUT FREEDOM. ----------------------------------------------------- History shows that only Irish freedom and independence can bring permanent peace. The GFA ddoes not bring that; in fact the `Peace Process` is being used as a cover for the isolation, intimidation, victimisation and murder of those who oppose the process ( whether they support the continuation of Armed struggle or not ). Knowing this, relatives of some of the 10 hunger strikers have asked that the names of those Martyrs be not used by those who support the GFA. We however, can voice their names, and remember them with pride. We believe that all genuine anti - imperialists should unite to co-operate in political action against British imperialism in Ireland. WE INVITE YOU TO SPONSOR THE ABOVE STATEMENT. SPONSORING ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WILL BE CREDITED ON FUTURE EDITIONS OF THIS STATEMENT. PLEASE WRITE TO CONFIRM ENDORSEMENT OF STATEMENT TO; IRISH POLITICAL STATUS COMMITTEE, BM BOX 1981, LONDON, WCIN - 3XX Or E Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________________
