Chicago Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee

CHSCC Chairman, Colm Mistéil's Address
August 12th, 2006 - Chicago, IL

A chairde agus a chomrádaí,

Go raibh maith agaibh go léir as a bheith anseo chun comóradh a dhéanamh ar an Stailc Ocrais a tharla 25ú bhliain ó shin.

Thank you all for joining us tonight to remember the 25th anniversary of the Hunger Strike.

25 years ago ten brave men laid down their lives so they would not be labeled as criminals. Seven of them were members of the Irish Republican Army, 3 were Irish National Liberation Army. They stood united together in protest and gave their lives so other would not have to suffer they way they have suffered.

It seems that nothing has changed in 25 years. Today Republican POWs are once again forced to fight against British imposed criminalization in Maghaberry Prison in the occupied six counties. Prisoners are locked up 22 hours a day. They are forced to eat beside their toilets, while there is a perfectly good canteen that loyalist and criminal prisoners are aloud to use, but that same right is denied to Republicans. When they are let out of their cells, they are forced to exercise in a tiny yard covered with bird excrement. They have access to heath care just one day out of the week. These are just a few of the terrible conditions Republicans are facing. Currently the POWS in Maghaberry are on protest and are refusing to eat in their cells; which means they are only able to eat once a day. We must act immediately so that the events of 1981 are not repeated.

The Hunger Strikers leave behind a legacy that has yet to be fulfilled, that is a legacy of unity. They were an example to all of us that we must put petty differences aside and work together for the common goal of a 32 County Workers’ Republic. Those of us gathered here tonight and those throughout Ireland and the US must join together and present a united front in opposition to the so called Good Friday Agreement. An agreement that is no better than the Treaty of 1921. It has done nothing but cement partition, strengthen Britain’s illegal claim in the six counties and dilute Republicanism. We must work to put together a positive alternative for the working people of Ireland.

The future is in our hands and remembering the words of Patsy O’Hara, who said “Let the Fight go on.” We must continue the fight for Irish Freedom. The tide of resistance might be out to sea at the moment, but history tells us it will turn again and when it does the Brits won’t have defenses strong enough to stop its onward surge.

Victory to the Republican Prisoners!

Beir Bua!