Éirígí Adds It's Support To The Maghaberry Jail Protest
Éirígí adds it’s support to the ongoing prisoners protest in Maghaberry jail. The authorities within the jail are attempting to implement a regime that would treat those convicted for politically-motivated activities as common criminals. This tactic of criminalisation is not a new one nor is the response of Republican prisoners when faced with it.
The current protest began on the 19th of June when a number of prisoners refused to co-operate with the jail authorities and escalated on the 26th of June when prisoners refused to eat their meals in their cells. The number of protesting prisoners has grown over the last month as has support for the men’s plight. The protest is set to escalate over the coming period unless the following demands are met:
• Free Association
• Freedom of Movement
• Right to Full Time Education
• Separate Visiting Facilities
• Right to Organise Landings
Whatever one’s view of the actions that led to the incarceration of these prisoners it must be accepted that they were not motivated by greed or self-interest, but were instead acting on political grounds. Imperial powers will always attempt to portray the political as criminal. All those who support democracy and freedom must support the concept of politically motivated prisoners and a prison regime that reflects their non-criminal motivations.
Éirígí calls on members of the public, trade unions, political parties and elected representatives to add their support for the prisoners in Maghaberry in their attempts to secure their five demands.