Ógra Shinn Féin Revive 'Rock Against The Blocks'
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press release 
Thursday June 08, 2006 16:23
by Éirigi - Ógra Shinn Féin
osf6county at yahoo dot com
'Rock Against The Blocks' are Republican Youth concerts and were a common feature during the Hungerstrike of 1981, they were organised by 'Youth Against The H Blocks' who mobilised massive support behind the Prisoners 5 Demands, through the use of popular and direct action means.
25 years on from the 1981 Hungerstrike, and from the original ‘Rock Against The Blocks’, Ógra Shinn Féin have revived the youth concerts.
Barry McColgan Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson said,
‘The 'Rock Against The Blocks' were massively successful, they where a way of popularising the struggle, bringing thousands of young people together for a social night, but by their support for the concerts also showing their support for the Prisoners.’
’The Basque Youth Movement Segi have been organising Concerts and Festivals like these for years, with a good mixture of Social events and Politics, giving the struggle a mass appeal - it has proven very successful.’
’The 'Rock Against The Blocks' of 1981 where hugely successful, and this year Ógra Shinn Féin have organised a number of massively successful concerts in memory of the Hungerstrikers in Tyrone, Belfast and Derry.’
‘The most recent of these concerts was held in a packed bar in South Belfast. Hungerstrike pictures and banners were draped around the hall and Ireland’s biggest rebel band ‘The Spirit of Freedom’, sung songs of struggle and revolution. During the concert an Ógra activist gave a speech about the legacy and inspiration of the Hungerstrike, urging the youth gathered, to continue on the struggle for which our patriot dead have died.’
McColgan concluded, ’We continue on with these alternative means of mobilisation proudly - in memory of the 10!’
Comments (17 of 17)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17Rock against the Blocks? Your post shows a group of old Ballad singers!
When Joe Strummer wore a Smash H-Block shirt, that was Rock against the Blocks not a group of aging ballad singers belting out the fields of athenry.
When Joe Strummer wore a Rock against the Blocks shirt the provos were still Republican. That Republicanism and revolutionary politic can be found intact - however on the margins of political life- in RSF.
25 years ago, Sinn Fein wasnt collecting funds from the British Government and the elite of America. 25 years ago, Sinn Fein wasnt nominating Paisley to be the number one in Stormont. 25 years ago Sinn Fein, wasnt surrenderring weapons volunteers went to jail for bringing them in. 25 years ago, Sinn Fein wasnt annoucing thru their president's voice for IRA members who skipped a court apperance to now turn themselves in. 25 years ago, Sinn Fein wasnt gonna join and endorse the police...............but maybe 20 years ago, Sinn Fein allowed British Agents and touts to create who and where Sinn Fein is today ...a controlable Ulster managed by the natives.
some republicans.
some revolution.
Belfast activists leave the writing on the wall ooops i mean window
Faier play Ógra, good to see you as active as ever - don't mind the naysayers - probably brits sent on here to show republican disent and force sum hidden agenda! Anyway keep up the good work - as i read on one of your posts one time - onwards to victory!
Keep up the good work Ogra
LOVE THAT PICTURE
Why would Ogra be Rocking Against the Blocks - Ogra recognises the ligitimacy of British law in Ireland - according to British law the H-Blocks were legally set up to contain criminals who had been rightfully convicted in a court of British law. Well maybe its safe enough for Ogra to rock against a prison which has already been closed down while they are complicit with their silence in the Brit torture chambers in Maghaberry.
If ogra are looking for Italian Bands to play, I know a guy called Freddie who has plenty of contacts. Another guy I know, Denis could have taped the gigs but he's away now in a better place.
Anyway, Keep trying and maybe some day we'll find out Martin was a good singer.
The comments made on here by the 'true' republicians and and also Eddie!! Who i have a strong notion it could be Eddie 'i bought a horse the other day waffle waffle' Hannah then belt it!!
Tell me Eddie you this Britsh thing you talk about, what is it to be British??
Is it to sit in a pub, drinking belgian beer and getting blocked, then leaving for an Indian curry, gettin up the next day into a german car and going to work for multi natioanl company!"!"! What kind of BRITISH CULTURE is that!! Keep up the Great work!!
Plus I agree with wat was said earlier it is Briotsh MI5 trying to put us at each other throats!!!
Its funny how the Provisionals accuse everyone who points out the massive holes in their logic as being British agents. Its not only the British who see how ridiculous it is to be Rocking against a prison which was set up by the law which Gerry Adams says he recognises as ligitimate. If the British law which set up stormont is ligitimate, then so is the British law which set up H-Block. Besides there's no point rocking against a prison which has been closed down and replaced by Maghaberry, which your not rocking against.
For all those armchair "republicans" and those opposed to SF, show me an alternative.?? Talk is cheap. Making defying stands (lol) against SF policy isnt goin 2 win a united Ireland. Stormount isnt the final answer but its an opportunity.
An opportunity for who? Opportunists ?
Id say Rocking against a prison that is already closed down is a very good example of Provisional thinking. It would indeed be better to stay in an armchair and sleep than this kind of nonsense.
No it wouldnt
An opportunity for republicans to be taken serious. an opportunity to develop north south bodies. an opportunity not simply to talk about a united Ireland but to put into effect what it actually means.
Dear PSF Supporter, I dont know how rocking against a prison which was closed down years ago is a way to be taken seriously - particularly when you are staying silent about the current Brit torture camp in Magaberry. As for your all Ireland Brit institutions - we had those for centuries.
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