(Forwarded) Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee (HSCOM) Press Release: Commemoration in Solidarity, Washington, DC 19th May 2001 4-8.00pm Howard University, Washington, DC Auditorium, Engineering Building Commemoration in Solidarity The Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America (IRSCNA), the Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee (HSCOM), and the All-African People's Revolutionary Party (A-APRP) are sponsoring a show of solidarity in commemoration of the Irish prisoners of war (POWs) who died on hunger strike in the H Blocks of Long Kesh Prison 20 years ago in 1981. Before the protest finally ended on 3 October 1981, ten comrades of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) died on the hunger strike. It was years, however, before their struggle was finally recognised by the British government and the prisoners were granted the rights as POWs. The courage and determination of these brave men have been an inspiration to oppressed people, not only in the North of Ireland, but world-wide. Yet, the struggle continues today for the complete withdrawal of the British occupied forces from the North of Ireland, and for a united Irish Socialist Republic. Here we are 20 years later, 2001, and Irish republican prisoners refusing to sign a document in support of a British-run government, have again lost political status. Please join us a we commemorate these 10 brave Volunteers; and unite with us in solidarity in the present international struggle against oppression, exploitation and imperialist domination. Dawn-Michele Gould will give a brief history on the plight of the hunger strikers. Dawn is the PRO for the HSCOM, and a member of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and the Washington, DC-Havana Sister City Project. She is also an Associate Member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party. Our Special Guest of Honour is Michaela Patsy McCafferty, niece of 1981 hunger striker Patsy O Hara who died on 21 May 1981, after 61 days on hunger strike. Her other uncles, Sean and Tony O Hara, were also INLA POWs. Michaela will discuss the Irish struggle and how it affected her politically. Netfa Freeman of the A-APRP and the Social Action Leadership School for Activists (SALSA) will speak on the Pan-African struggle (internationally). Christina Miranda of the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) and the Puerto Rico Independence Party will discuss the struggle in El Salvador. Banbose Shango of the Washington, DC-Havana Sister City Project and the A-APRP, and Alejandro Mirando of the Washington, DC-Havana Sister City Project and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation (FMLN), will discuss the Sister City Project and Cuban-American relations. Nomalanga of the All-African Women's Revolutionary Party Union (A-AWRPU) will give a briefing on the activism of Malcolm X, and how it affected women within the context of the anti-imperialist and socialist struggle. Companera Sonia of FMLN and the A-AWRPU will discuss the Salvadoran FMLN guerrilla movement, and the transformation of women's roles within the context of the struggle-both politically and militarily. The speeches will be followed by a minute of silence for Patsy O Hara, and then the showing of a video entitled, 'The Last Hunger Strike'. Refreshments will be available, and Michaela will autograph the CD 'Memories of a Hunger Strike' for those who wish to purchase one. Both Michaela and Tony O Hara perform on the CD. There is no cover charge, but donations to assist families of current Irish political prisoners are encouraged. For directions to the event or questions, please email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tony O Hara International Coordinator [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dawn-Michele Gould Press Relations Officer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Steve Donnolly North American Coordinator [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com "We must take no steps backward, our steps must be onward, for if we don't, the martyrs that died for you, for me, for this country will haunt us forever" ----M�ire Drumm
