Pasqua 2014: dichiarazione dei POW repubblicani di Roe 4, Maghaberry

Roe 4 Republican Prisoners Statement, Easter 2014

Republican Prisoners Roe 4, Maghaberry take this opportunity to send solidarity to all our friends and supporters throughout the world who continue to work tirelessly for us and our families. We send solidarity to all our comrades currently imprisoned throughout Ireland.

To our comrades engaged in the struggle outside- we salute you.

We particularly want to take this opportunity to pay homage to the sacrifice and dedication of our comrade Tony Catney who has continued to battle on our behalf while daily fighting a battle against cancer. You are an inspiration to the Republican people of Ireland and all Revolutionaries around the world.

To our enemies in and outside of this gaol – You can use torture, isolation and internment at the behest of MI5, your masters in Whitehall and their puppets in Stormont but history should tell you that Republican POWs will not be broken. All of your actions whether in the form of degrading and brutal strip-searching or the isolation of Republican Prisoners like Gavin Coyle will only strengthen our resolve and will push further away the “conflict free environment” that we outlined in our statement of November 2012 when we ended our second prolonged protest calling for a “dialectical process of engagement to resolve all outstanding issues.” After 17 months of creating the space to deal with all these matters, we have been met with only subterfuge, belligerence and brutality. The people in power know these issues are very easily dealt with if the genuine will is there. To do otherwise is a sign that the “breaking” of Republican POWs is the real agenda. We will face such a challenge head on!

Finally, we call on the wider Republican family, ex POWs and political activists to once again stand shoulder to shoulder in defiance of those who occupy our country. Now is not the time for toasts, curtsies or handshakes. Now is the time to rededicate ourselves in pursuance of the Proclamation of 1916.

In the words of Pádraig Pearse at the graveside of O’ Donovan Rossa.

“the fools, the fools, the fools! — They have left us our Fenian dead, and while Ireland holds these graves, Ireland unfree shall never be at peace.”