From: "Stasi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Peoples War] IRSP: Address To National Turkish Hunger-Strikers Rally Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2001 9:00 AM Subject: National Turkish Hunger Strikers Rally: Address by Micky Devine, Derry IRSP Irish Republican Socialist Party address by Micky Devine, Derry IRSP. National Rally in Support of Turkish Hunger Strikers Dublin, Saturday 8th September 2001 Comrades, On behalf of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, I would like to say that it is an honour to address this event in solidarity with our comrades, who at this moment in time, hunger for justice in the death camps and homes of their friends and family within the fascist state of Turkey. Twenty years have now passed since my father, INLA Volunteer, Micky Devine and his comrades fought a battle head-on against the brutality, the injustice and polices of criminalisation created by British imperialism within the H Block prison cells. We have throughout this commemorative year, rightfully remembered the significance of such a sacrifice that my father and his comrades gave in the fascist death camps of Long Kesh. A struggle fought by dedicated revolutionaries of equal stature. It was among the most heroic battles in the course of recent struggles for national liberation in Ireland. A battle that began with the simple refusal to wear a convicts uniform slowly grew into a mass movement, that struggle eventually lead to the hunger strike of 1980 and 1981. It was a brave gesture that again refocused the world's attention on an enslaved Ireland with scene's not witnessed since the early days of the Civil Rights Movement or that of the Easter Rebellion. A movement focused on the constant brutality, on the partition of Ireland and that of the continued occupation of the six counties by British imperialism. This year, as we look back on the significance of that vital point in our history as republicans and socialists and on the men who died in the trenches of Long Kesh, so too must we remember the nature of that movement and its distinctive class politics and internationalism. So too must we again renew the demand for political status. Signed away at the stroke of a pen by those who care little for our class or for the pain and struggle of that of my father and equally of that of his comrades. It was during this time that the world learned of the pain, struggle and sacrifice of many other young men and women who were going through, not that many miles from this island. A struggle, that in many ways resembled and even mirrored that which my father embarked on twenty years earlier. A struggle against a policy of criminalisation of political prisoners of war. For myself personally, the struggle of those held within the walls of these inhuman isolation F-Type cells and prison walls has brought many memories flooding back. My family, like each and every family connected to the 1980 -1981 prison struggle, understand the pain and torment which those of our comrades in the state of Turkey are going through. However what gave my family and that of the other families and relatives of 1981 the strength to carry on was the daily support and solidarity from their communities. The action groups and international committees who made sure that they were not alone in their fight for justice. Likewise so too must we engage daily with as much energy as possible, ensuring that our friends and comrades and relatives of the ongoing death fast will not be forgotten. Their cry must be our battle cry here in Ireland and beyond. As republicans and socialists, who have this year remembered the events of 1981 and with pride remembered those brave young working class men, one of which was my own father, it was with pride that we rightfully acknowledged and supported the unfolding events in developing in Turkey. Comrades, as we stand here today to pay tribute to those 31 men and women who have already gave their lives on a hunger strike to the death, we must renew our commitment and working class solidarity with our comrades who at this very moment fast for the right of political status in the struggle against F-Type Prisons and an increasing fascist onslaught. Let no Irish republican or socialist stand idly by whilst there is still a continuing death fast in Turkey. Like the 'Relatives Action Committees' twenty years ago, let each and every hunger strike solidarity committee spread the support deeper into each and every working class housing estate north and south, and internationally amongst our brothers and sisters. As we in Ireland remember our martyrs of 1981, the courage and strength of our friends and comrades held in F-Type isolation cells have equally given all of us the strength to carry on the class war in which you are at this very moment playing an important role. To you, our friends and comrades who continue the struggle, the death fast, we say here and now - The working class people of Ireland is with you! - We Are Right! - We Will Win! LET THE FIGHT GO ON! *********************************************** General Secretary Irish Republican Socialist Party P.O. Box 1981, Derry, BT48 8GX, Ireland. 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