Belfast holds vigil for Palestinian hunger strikers amid historical ties

Belfast Protesters Gather in Solidarity with Palestinian Activists on Hunger Strike

On New Year’s Eve, hundreds gathered in Belfast to show support for four Palestinian activists currently on hunger strike in British prisons. The protesters, affiliated with the Palestine Action group, held signs and chanted slogans as they marched through the city streets.

The murals along the Falls Road, a prominent landmark in Belfast, feature images of Irish republican prisoners alongside those of Palestinian activists. This juxtaposition serves as a reminder of the city’s complex history and its ongoing struggle for human rights.

Patricia McKeown, a trade union activist, addressed the crowd, stating that the protesters are being held unjustly and in poor conditions. She emphasized the importance of supporting the right to protest and stand up for human rights.

The hunger strike is part of an international campaign urging the British government to intervene as the health of the four detainees deteriorates behind prison walls. The prisoners are being held on remand while awaiting trial, a process that could keep them imprisoned for over a year before their cases are heard.

The Palestine Action members are accused of involvement in break-ins at Elbit Systems and a Royal Air Force base, but they deny the charges. They are demanding release on bail, an end to interference with their mail and reading materials, access to a fair trial, and the de-proscription of Palestine Action.

Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello have been on hunger strike for 61, 55, 54, and 41 days respectively. Hoxha and Ahmed have already been hospitalized. The protest in Belfast is part of a growing international campaign to raise awareness about the situation.

In 1981, Irish republican prisoners went on hunger strike in Northern Ireland, demanding the restoration of their political status. Ten men died during the strike, including Bobby Sands, who was elected to the British parliament during the strike.

Source: Al Jazeera