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Chicago
Hunger Strike Commemorative Film Showing Report
Tj Ó Conchúir, IRSCNA
On 29 April, republicans and republican socialists of the Irish Freedom
Committee (IFC), Concerned Group for Republican Prisoners (CGRP) and Irish
Republican Socialist Committees North America (IRSCNA) gathered together as
the Chicago Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee (CHSCC). The CHSCC hosted
a film showing of the movie by ex-RS POW director Terry George.
The film is a harrowing depiction of the ordeal the Ten went through, as
well as those who survived the strike. The film also depicts the suffering
by the mothers, family and comrades on the outside in a convincing
way.Several people were moved to tears by the film.
Following the film a discussion was held by the committee. The audience
asked many questions and were given reports by the IFC, CGRP and IRSCNA
spokespersons regarding their respective prisoner situations. The IFC and
CGRP detailed the conditions in the prisons, and how a tragic repeat of the
hunger strikes could be possible due to the de facto loss of political
status. The IRSCNA representative was pleased to announce the recent release
of Dessie O’Hare, and explained how the struggle today with the RSPOWs is
not just in the prisons, but also with the ex-POW association Teach Na
Fáilte who are targeted as ‘criminals’ by the British authorities despite
lack of evidence.
There was talk of how the support networks in the USA can help lead the way
to more broad front work, and united action on such issues as the prison
struggle.
As well as educational and motivating, the film showing was a successful
fundraiser, and many copies of republican literature were distributed.
The Chicago Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee’s next activity will be a
punk rock show fundraiser in late July, before the the actual
commemoration of the ten in August.
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