Speech
delivered by Michael Óg Devine at the National Demonstration in Dublin in
support of the Death Fast prisoners and their families in Turkey. Saturday 8th
September 2001.
Comrades,
On behalf of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, I would like to say that it
is an honour to address this event in solidarity with our comrades, who at this
moment in time, hunger for justice in the death camps and homes of their friends
and family within the fascist state of Turkey.
Twenty years have now passed since my father, INLA Volunteer Micky Devine and
his comrades fought a battle head-on against the brutality, the injustice and
polices of criminalisation created by British imperialism within the H Block
prison cells. We have throughout this commemorative year, rightfully
remembered the significance of such a sacrifice that my father and his comrades
gave in the fascist death camps of Long Kesh.
A struggle fought by dedicated revolutionaries of equal stature. It was
among the most heroic battles in the course of recent struggles for national
liberation in Ireland. A battle that began with the simple refusal to wear a
convicts uniform and slowly grew into a mass movement, that struggle eventually
lead to the hunger strikes of 1980 and 1981.
It was a brave gesture that again refocused the world's attention on an enslaved
Ireland with scenes not witnessed since the early days of the Civil Rights
Movement or of the 1916 Easter Rebellion. A movement focused on the constant
brutality, on the partition of Ireland and of the continued occupation of the
six counties by British imperialism.
This year, as we look back on the significance of that vital point in our
history as republicans and socialists, and on the men who died in the trenches
of Long Kesh, so too must we remember the nature of that movement and its
distinctive class politics and internationalism.
So too must we again renew the demand for political status. Signed away at
the stroke of a pen by those who care little for our class or for the pain and
struggle of my father and his comrades.
It was during the past year that the world learned of the pain, struggle and
sacrifice of many other young men and women and what they are going through, not
that many miles from this island. A struggle, that in many ways resembles
and even mirrors that which my father embarked upon twenty years earlier.
A struggle against a policy of criminalisation of political prisoners of war.
For myself personally, the struggle of those held within the walls of these
inhuman isolation F-Type cells and prison walls has brought many memories
flooding back. My family, like each and every family connected to the 1980
-1981 prison struggle, understand the pain and torment which our comrades in the
state of Turkey are going through.
However what gave my family and that of the other families and relatives of 1981
the strength to carry on was the daily support and solidarity from their
communities. The action groups and international committees who made sure
that they were not alone in their fight for justice.
Likewise so too must we engage daily with as much energy as possible, ensuring
that our friends and comrades and relatives of the ongoing death fast will not
be forgotten. Their cry must be our battle cry here in Ireland and beyond.
As republicans and socialists, who have this year remembered the events of 1981,
and with pride remembered those brave young working class men, one of which was
my own father, it is with pride that we rightfully acknowledge and support the
unfolding events developing in Turkey.
Comrades, as we stand here today to pay tribute to those 31 men and women who
have already given their lives on a hunger strike to the death, we must renew
our commitment and working class solidarity with our comrades who at this very
moment fast for the right of political status in the struggle against F-Type
Prisons and an increasing fascist onslaught.
Let no Irish republican or socialist stand idly by whilst there is still a
continuing death fast in Turkey. Like the 'Relatives Action Committees'
twenty years ago, let each and every hunger strike solidarity committee spread
the support deeper into each and every working class housing estate north and
south, and internationally amongst our brothers and sisters.
As we in Ireland remember our martyrs of 1981, the courage and strength of our
friends and comrades held in F-Type isolation cells have equally given all of us
the strength to carry on the class war in which you are at this very moment
playing an important role.
To you, our friends and comrades who continue the struggle of the death fast, we
say here and now - The working class people of Ireland are with you! - We Are
Right! - We Will Win!
