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1981 - 2006

25. anniversary of the hunger strikes

against the policy of the British government to criminalize Irish Republican prisoners.

British propaganda tried to paint the war in the North of Ireland as a criminal conspiracy by the IRA. But the reality then was internment with its hundreds of political prisoners since 1971, incarcerated without charge or trial.

Diplock courts, torture to get signed statements of guilt, long sentences was the British way to replace internment by a tough prison regime in 1976, which tried to treat prisoners of war as ordinary criminals. The resistance of Irish Republican prisoners was met by brute force of the British state. The situation deteriorated until in 1981 ten Irish Republican prisoners died in a hunger strike.

Our revenge will be the laughter of our children
(Bobby Sands)

>>>> Hungerstrike Commemoration Committee website <<<<

Film "Unbowed Unbroken"
Reflections about the 1981 hunger strike with accounts from Irish Republicans Pat Sheehan, Danny Morrison and Brendan (Bik) Mc Farlane.
Available for free on the internet on Google Video:
>>>> Film review and link <<<<
Account of a journey, August 2006 (at the moment only in German language - translation to English language follows during September):

North of Ireland, County Tyrone, Cappagh/Galbally, 13. -16. July 2006:
>>>> The whole district pays tribute to Martin Hurson <<<<

Bobby Sands died on 5. Mai 1981

>>>> 05.05.2006: Ubuntu - Robert McBride (ANC) gives the annual Bobby Sands lecture in Belfast
>>>> 04.05.2006: Former Hunger Striker Laurence McKeown's story
>>>> 05.05.2006: And 25 years later ...
>>>> 04.05.2006: Remember them with pride, work for their ideals
>>>> 05.05.2006: semi autobiographical article: "THE REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT OF FREEDOM "

>>>> March 2006: North of Ireland – Hunger Strikes of 1981 - history and meaning <<<<

2001 – 20th anniversary
of the hungerstrikes against criminalisation
of irish republican prisoners –
– 10 men died on hungerstrike –
- mass protests throughout Ireland –
– 100 000 joined Bobby Sands funeral –
information on background and relevance for today

http://www.hungerstrike81.com/ (e)

>>>> 03.11.2001 Event "20. anniversary of the hunger strike in 1981"