Republican prisoners are unbroken and unbreakable
Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton
Speaking at a march and rally held in Belfast on Saturday May 29 in support of the struggle for political status by the Republcan prisoners in Maghaberry prison the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton said:
“'I have no prouder boast than to say I am Irish and have been privileged to fight for the Irish people and for Ireland. If I have a duty I will perform it to the full in the unshakable belief that we are a noble race and that chains and bonds have no part in us.’ These are the words of Hunger Strike Francis Hughes written in a letter addressed to the people of South Derry and surrounding areas five days before he embarked on his hunger strike.
“He was in doubt as to the nature of their protest when he said that: “Its very roots lie in the 1100 years of struggle” against England’s occupation of our country. The men in Maghaberry today are imprisoned by the same enemy and for the same cause. We are proud of each and every one of them.
“The fight of the prisoners in Maghaberry is a struggle for the right inherent to all who take up arms against the forces of British occupation – the right to political status. These men are political prisoners, denied their freedom because they refuse to acquiesce in the face of British rule. They are in the vanguard of a generation who have neither been purchased or intimidated. Standing with them is a man who served 19 years of a 25-year sentence in Long Kesh Martin Corey of Lurgan. He is a political hostage; interned because he too can neither be purchased or intimidated, unbroken and unbreakable.
“The Republican prisoners in Maghaberry are engaged in a fight against the British state’s attempt to criminalise Ireland’s historic fight for freedom. By their action the prisoners are sending a message which echoes throughout Ireland and the world that British rule will never be accepted in Ireland and will always be met with resistance.
“In its monthly publication the Six-County British Colonial Police Federation admitted that the RUC/PSNI must recognise the “enduring nature” of Republican resistance. The chain of Republican continuity stretches back over two hundred years, we will endure and resist until the last vestige of British rule has been removed from our country.
“Francis Hughes knew well the importance of mobilising the people and the strength which the Republican prisoners can draw from the solidarity and activism of the people. “As you march and rally, refuse to be intimated by the harassment of the much hated RUC and those who cower beside them.’ Shout all the louder Political Status Now!"
Speaking at a march and rally held in Belfast on Saturday May 29 in support of the struggle for political status by the Republcan prisoners in Maghaberry prison the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton said:
“'I have no prouder boast than to say I am Irish and have been privileged to fight for the Irish people and for Ireland. If I have a duty I will perform it to the full in the unshakable belief that we are a noble race and that chains and bonds have no part in us.’ These are the words of Hunger Strike Francis Hughes written in a letter addressed to the people of South Derry and surrounding areas five days before he embarked on his hunger strike.
“He was in doubt as to the nature of their protest when he said that: “Its very roots lie in the 1100 years of struggle” against England’s occupation of our country. The men in Maghaberry today are imprisoned by the same enemy and for the same cause. We are proud of each and every one of them.
“The fight of the prisoners in Maghaberry is a struggle for the right inherent to all who take up arms against the forces of British occupation – the right to political status. These men are political prisoners, denied their freedom because they refuse to acquiesce in the face of British rule. They are in the vanguard of a generation who have neither been purchased or intimidated. Standing with them is a man who served 19 years of a 25-year sentence in Long Kesh Martin Corey of Lurgan. He is a political hostage; interned because he too can neither be purchased or intimidated, unbroken and unbreakable.
“The Republican prisoners in Maghaberry are engaged in a fight against the British state’s attempt to criminalise Ireland’s historic fight for freedom. By their action the prisoners are sending a message which echoes throughout Ireland and the world that British rule will never be accepted in Ireland and will always be met with resistance.
“In its monthly publication the Six-County British Colonial Police Federation admitted that the RUC/PSNI must recognise the “enduring nature” of Republican resistance. The chain of Republican continuity stretches back over two hundred years, we will endure and resist until the last vestige of British rule has been removed from our country.
“Francis Hughes knew well the importance of mobilising the people and the strength which the Republican prisoners can draw from the solidarity and activism of the people. “As you march and rally, refuse to be intimated by the harassment of the much hated RUC and those who cower beside them.’ Shout all the louder Political Status Now!"
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