Maghaberry P.O/W. Protest takes place in Derry City.

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Sunday December 17, 2006 13:47

by Seán Ó Murchú - Sinn Féin Poblachtach - Cork

Following on from a protest in Newry a fortnight ago, a large protest was held in Derry City on Saturday, 16th December. The month of December traditionally represents the prisoners' month, and this protest - organised by the Republican Prisoners' Action Group (RPAG) - was in support of the demands of the Republican POWs currently on protest in Maghaberry Gaol. Approximately 100 protestors turned out for the event on Shipquay Street, as did no less than twenty armed members of the British Colonial Police.

Following on from a protest in Newry a fortnight ago, a large protest was held in Derry City on Saturday, 16th December. The month of December traditionally represents the prisoners' month, and this protest - organised by the Republican Prisoners' Action Group (RPAG) - was in support of the demands of the Republican POWs currently on protest in Maghaberry Gaol. Approximately 100 protestors turned out for the event on Shipquay Street, as did no less than twenty armed members of the British Colonial Police.

The RUC were in possession of still cameras and video cameras, and photographed and videographed those present. Special attention was given to young people who turned out in support of the Republican POWs. Passers-by and shoppers were also subjected to this harassment.

The protest was well-received by the public, and a large number of leafelts were distributed.

After the white-line picket a rally was held in Guildhall Square. The RUC secured the collaboration of NCP traffic wardens in an unsuccessful bid to have vehicles owned by Republicans clamped.

Michael McGonagle of Dungiven, Co. Derry, chaired the proceedings. He said that "unfortunately there will continue to be prisoners for as long as the British remain in Ireland." He then introduced the main speaker - Cathleen Knowles McGuirk, Vice-President of Republican Sinn Féin, who stated that "as the Normans had been described as 'more Irish than the Irish themselves', the Provos have now become more Unionist than the Unionists themselves." She added that "six months on from the beginning of the protest there is an onus on everyone to ensure that it is brought to a victorious conclusion."

National Spokeman for the RPAG, Tony McPhillips, Co. Fermanagh, said he "would like to pay tribute to the RUC for showing the people of Derry that they have not changed. They remain a Crown police force tasked with enforcing British rule in Ireland."

Richard Walsh, Derry - PRO of the RPAG and a member of the Ard-Chomhairle of Republican Sinn Féin - stated that "we are all well aware that the RUC are the terrorists, and British Occupation is the crime. Republican POWs will never allow themselves to be criminalised, and history shows that whilst English rule continues in Ireland, so too will Republican resistance to it." He also announced that the RPAG had a website which could be viewed at http://www.powstatusnow.net

The proceedings finished with the playing of the National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann.

ENDS

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Maghaberry P.O/W. Protest takes place in Derry City.