Latest Report on Afghan Hunger Strike: Day 3 - Tuesday

by Revolt Video - Revolt Video Collective Tue May 16, 2006 11:52

.

by Jim Tue May 16, 2006 15:54

There was an excellent turnout of supporters at lunch time with lots of local school kids, members of the SWP, Socialist Party, WSM, Labour, Sinn Fein, People before Profit, Grassroots Dissent and Residents Against Racism as well as a number of anti war campaigners. There was also a large turnout of T.D.s including Joe Higgins, Aengus O Snodaigh, Joe Costello and Ciaran Cuffe. For once RTE have actually covered this issue.

Stop deporations

Deport MCDowell

Crowds of suporters gather outside

Residents Against Racism

Inside the gates

by Ciaran Cuffe - Green Party Tue May 16, 2006 17:25 Ciaran.Cuffe at Oireachtas dot ie 01 618 3082

The UNHCR says "the significant upsurge in violence in some parts of the country has limited the access to those areas by both international humanitarian actors and Government representatives, denying the population access to entitlements, services and protection." Meanwhile the Department of Foreign Affairs tells us not to visit.

Above the men hang regimental flags. A plaque on the nearby walls states "Sacred to the memory of James Slator Cummings Esquire, Lieutenant in the 9th Regiment of Foot who was killed in action in Afghanistan at the forcing of the Kyber Pass on the 5th April 1842 aged 23 years while gallantly leading a company of that regiment, a brave soldier and a sincere christian."

Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral 12h30 pm, 16 May 2006

by Elaine Tue May 16, 2006 19:10

is a beautiful word.

Rosanna And Mark Bringing Out Updates

The Green Corner

And In The Red Corner

Val's Blanket Donation

Ta Very Much

by Elaine Tue May 16, 2006 19:37

from the Left, both TD's and Activists.

Outside The South Porch

Hey Joe

Honourary Unmanageable Ms. D'Arcy At Work

Thin Blue Line Between Church And State

Joe Higgins And Jerry Crowley - Behind Bars

by dunk Tue May 16, 2006 21:47 fuspey at yahoo dot co dot uk

first audio:
Osman Hotak gives a brief summary of how things stand at 8.00pm, he was being questioned by John Kilraine from RTE for tonights 9.00pm news.
the second half is a discussion with an Afghan man about the UN and some geo-political background facts to Afghanistan
length - 12 mins
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/main.wav
part of this audio piece led to "any other media" - "yes indymedia, the largest media network on the planet"

second audio:
interview with Fr. Joe McCullough, catholic priest, after visiting the men
on why the irish people who consider themselves "christian" have a duty to support these men, and where is Mc Dowells conscience.
length- 6.42
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/post_visit.wav

update:
most men are taking water, some are still not, a lot of medical problems, 7 hospitalised today, abdul and sultan.
there was about 40-50 people there this evening

3 men are on hunger and thirst strike outside and are refusing blankets, people were there till after 2am this morning, solidarity would be appreciated for these men this evening,

a transcript would help

Osman Hotak and religious people outside the church

crowd outside at 8pm

by AWI Wed May 17, 2006 01:25

The anti-war vigil at 6.30pm went very well. About 40 activists turned out. Some stayed outside the gates while the main group went up to vigil on the main road. At a meeting afterwards it was decided that the anti-war movement should concentrate on mobilising people in support of the Afghan hunger strikers. Vigils will take place at 6.30pm every evening to facilitate people who are working and who can't make the 12.30pm vigil.

Tommorrow's solidarity events:

12.30pm: Vigil outside the cathedral.

2pm: Schoolkids mobilisation outside cathedral. All welcome!

6.30-7.30pm: Vigil outside the cathedral.

If you can make everything, great! If you can only make one, then make sure you do!!

by richard whelan Wed May 17, 2006 01:36

Some images of hunger strikers and friends taken while, the young children sang, we are the young teach us how to shear and walk hand in hand, a little ironic given the situation.
See pictures

I think the pictures tell the story.
No words required

by Dermot L Wed May 17, 2006 02:01

it is good also to see a strong Labour presence (Joe Costello TD and Labour Youth) along with the other groups mentioned above. I will be going in myself tomorrow, will there be problems with entry?

by richard whelan Wed May 17, 2006 02:04

Some more images of hunger strikers

I think the pictures tell the story.
No words required

Inside Cathedral.

by AWI Wed May 17, 2006 02:11

AFTER-WORK ANTI-WAR SOLIDARITY VIGIL, ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, 6.30pm

The anti-war vigil held earlier tonight in solidarity with the Afghan hunger strikers was a modest success. In total, about 40 or so anti-war activists, from a wide range of groups (and none), turned up outside St Patrick's Cathedral. This was a wonderful turnout, when one considers that the vigil was called that morning. We expect the numbers to increase as word of these daily anti-war solidarity vigils spreads.

As of tomorrow, solidarity vigils will be held outside the cathedral at 12.30pm and 6.30pm daily. Please ensure that you attend at least one of these events. The 12.30pm vigil is especially important, so please get to it if you can.

Anti-war activists have decided to offer tangible support to the Afghan hunger strikers by continuing to organise the 6.30pm vigil. Residents Against Racism, and others, are putting enormous work into organising solidarity during the day and it is only right that the anti-war movement mobilises in support of their efforts. We must offer more than mere words.

At a meeting held in the wake of last night's (Tuesday) vigil, anti-war activists agreed to continue with the 6.30pm vigil. These will be held each evening between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, and it is very important that everybody makes a genuine effort to be there. If you are free during the day, go to the vigil at 12.30pm; if you are working, turn up at 6.30pm. But do something!

Please bring placards (preferably home-made and colourful!) and your solidarity to tonight's vigil. And spread the word!

Warm regards,

Fintan Lane,
Anti-War Ireland

by .:. Wed May 17, 2006 03:43

the BBC have reported the ending of the "thirst fast" amongst the men in the Cathedral, though to be very true, it is not certain whether all the men have stopped that element of their protest.

the BBC has also reported on statements from the Irish Republic's ministry of Justice, many readers may not know but a low level intermediary was sent from the Irish state yesterday to talk to the men.

of course what the BBC nor any news agency has not reported is that the spokesperson of the group, a blind veteran of the Afghan wars, is currently seperated from the other protesters. That small detail will have escaped the "morning news". That does not mean the BBC nor the Irish Times are aware of this fact. Rather that we are all engaged in a political game . & as usual these games mean "testing lines of communication", & as such, the minister of Justice might have slept soundly tonight knowing that indymedia & ilk at least had not seen the "full facts disclosed"...

But this is a long game. The "thirst strike card" ought be one the last played. & though played early in the game, it at least brought out a "low level" civil servant from the ministry of Justice, & caused "social pressure" to be placed through the ministry of Health. {those PD's stick together}
You need not read about that in the commercial press tomorrow morning, we can mull over it here, and then see it "reported" another day.

Friday of course, will see the muslim community of Ireland approached and asked to engage in solidarity, community and political action throughout the state. Meanwhile, it might be considered ironic that the first mention of the "thirst fast" element of the Afghani mens' protest was made ( in english ) through the BBC, they have indeed been troubling over this, is Saint Patricks the national cathedral of "all Ireland" to be reported in the "northern ireland" or "europe" section.

Of course next year's Amnesty and Freedom of the Press reports are a long way off.
By then we all pray neither FF nor PD will be in a position to rue their fall on those indices....
But it will stop them being re-elected.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4986832.stm

by Elaine Wed May 17, 2006 03:51

... went well, although by that stage nearly all of the 'mainstream media' had abandoned the Cathedral. Around 7.45pm, the Cathedral authorities escorted Osman to the gate to give a brief statement. He looked weak and very unwell. When it became apparent that the 'mainstream media' had left for the day, Osman was ushered back in to the grounds of St. Pats. Somebody rustled up a reporter from RTE so the press briefing was back on. Osman was brought back out again. When one of the supporters asked a question of Osman, the 'Cathedral Guy' interrupted with "sorry, mainstream media only." The supporter, undeterred, stated that he was from Indymedia. The 'Cathedral Guy' paused briefly and said he didn't know who they were. This was met with a chorus of voices telling him it was a 'global network of millions' etc. He backed down and allowed the question. During the middle of this Michael D Higgins and Brendan Howlin arrived to visit with the men. Just two of a plethora of politicians gracing the pews at St. Pats today.

That Banner Again

Cork Alliance

Wait For The Mainstream Media ....

Relax - Indymedia's Here!

Michael D Higgins And Brendan Howlin On The Right Hand Side

by MAC.T.K.13 Wed May 17, 2006 13:15 alanmcenroe at ekit dot com

A Few shots from the Solidarity protest yesterday evening

Solidarity 1

Solidarity 2

A loner raises his issues

Move off now

And Alone, I Hope You Shall Remain

by dunk Wed May 17, 2006 13:28

rough transcript from
interview with Fr. Joe McCullough, catholic priest, after visiting the men
on why the irish people who consider themselves "christian" have a duty to support these men, and where is Mc Dowells conscience.
length- 6.42
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/post_visit.wav

You have just come out from visiting the men, can you just tell us how they are

Well, I was very moved by their determination and their courage, a few of them are obviously quite ill, I think seven of them have been to hospital today and come back, thankfully most of them are taking water, I just assured them as a catholic priest and a member of a missionary congregation here in Ireland that we were very much in solidarity with them, that we recognized their plea for justice. And that we hope that Mr. Mc Dowell, if he is a lawyer, and if he is a Christian, that he will show some humanity and compassion. He made a preposterous suggestion that they were just escaping trouble in Afghanistan, but who cased the trouble in Afghanistan and the situation in Afghanistan going back hundreds of years. it is ironic that there are 2 plaques in this cathedral to the British soldiers that died during the British invasion of Afghanistan. So the people in there who are fighting on their behalf, residents against racism, noticed the irony of that, but I was met with nothing but absolute warmth from these people, especially these young men, and they are very determined.

Irish people have a tradition of getting behind a just cause
this is a just cause, this is a truly just cause that these people have, so we hope that the Irish people get behind it in the name of humanity and the name of god if we are a Christian nation, if were a Christian people. Why doesn’t Mr. Mc come and meet these people, and see their sincerity, their warmth, their cause. Even the lawyers that are acting on behalf of rar have said they haven’t been due processed in relation to their appeals for asylum. So you know threes lots of injustice upon injustices, upon in, as I said it would make you ashamed to be an Irish citizen

more to follow......

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Wed May 17, 2006 14:28

Some of the pictures from the Cathedral - evening time Tuesday

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Wed May 17, 2006 14:28

Some of the pictures from the Cathedral - evening time Tuesday