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STATEMENTS FROM IRISH REPUBLICAN POWs |
A chairde agus a chomraidaí, Revolutionary greetings to all Irish republicans in North America from Republican Prisoners Group, E4 landing. We stand strong in our beliefs and recognise that you too stand with us with the same determination and dedication. As has been the case before the struggle is at a low ebb but unlike others who have walked away or given up and accepted the GFA you have remained faithful to the cause of national liberation and for this we salute you. Irish America has long been the friend of the Republican movement and we are comforted by the fact that so many of you have not forgotten us here at home. We would especially like to thank the Concerned Group for Republican Prisoners for their work and also thank other prisoner support groups for their work for other POWs. On this the 25th anniversary of the hunger strikes it is apparent to all that there is no sign of a British withdrawal as even the rights won by the martyrdom of the h-block hunger strikers have been taken away and conditions in the jails in the 6 counties are as bad as ever. We ask that you continue to work for Irish freedom in any way you see fit and that you continue to support Irish political prisoners, we ask that you work especially hard for Aiden Hulme and the other POWs in England and we can know in confidence that you will as you are the true Irish in America, those who refuse to forget your occupied homeland. We wish you all the success with the commemoration and with everything else which lies ahead. Tiocfaidh ár lá, Joe Mooney POW E4 PORTLAOISE GAOL up STATEMENT FROM REPUBLICAN PRISONERS, MAGHABERRY AND PORTLAOISE PRISONS The Republican POW’s in Maghaberry and Portloaise Gaols extend our greetings and thanks to all those who have attended this evenings commemorative 25th Anniversary Dinner in memory of those Irish Republican soldiers who died on hunger strike in 1981 for political status. Bobby Sands stated the position for republican POW’s: “We refuse to lie here in dishonour! We are not criminals, but Irishmen! This is the crime of which we stand accused.” This is our position today. It is a tragic epitaph that today in Ireland political status is once again being fought for, in 1980 the Officer Commanding the Irish republican POW’s in Long Kesh communicated: “Generations will continue to meet the same fate unless the perennial oppressor- Britain-is removed, for she will unashamedly and mercilessly continue to maintain her occupation and economic exploitation of Ireland to judgment day, if she is not halted and ejected.” It is clear that Britain and its cohorts seek to mercilessly continue her exploitation, regrettably former comrades now seek to copper fasten that agenda, it is in pursuit of that agenda, that we would see this suffering of POW’s again, We remember the protest that was held on the outside of the gaols, in Ireland, England, Europe and America. It was events similar to the one that you are supporting tonight that gave hope to those who were engaging in protest. We are aware of the restrictions placed on you all, including the risk of imprisonment based solely on your wish to support Irish Republicans, and their dependants. Your honourable position and determination remains unbroken. It is to that end that we salute your steadfastness in the face of oppression, without your voice, America would not have heard of Irelands best kept secret, people would have believed in the propaganda that Ireland has a settlement, this could not be further from the truth. Ireland remains illegally partitioned, Britain continues to deny the Irish people a Sovereign state, this strategy will fail because they, the British Government and it cohorts have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman or woman who doesn't want to be broken. Bobby Sands expressed his view: “They won't break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show. It is then that we will see the rising of the moon.” We the Irish Republican POW’s remain unbroken and determined. An Phoblacht Abu Ogláigh ná hÉireann POWs MAGHABERRY GAOL LISBURN, CO. ANTRIM, OCCUPIED IRELAND PORTLAOISE PRISON, E3 PORTLAOISE, CO. LAOIS, IRELAND
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