Nov 2023 – Page 2 – Extramural Activity

Let’s Talk Loyalism

2023-11-062025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

‘Let’s Talk Loyalism’ (Fb | Xitter) is an advocacy group established in May 2021 “to articulate loyalist perspectives” (News Letter). It produced a survey in September 2021 (Slugger) and is currently undertaking more research (BelTel). The tarp is hanging on the fence around the waste-ground at the top of Lanark Way, site of a #BuildShankill tarp.

See previously: No Vote, No Voice graffiti in Forthriver/Ballygomartin in 2014.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Stop Israeli Murder In Gaza

2023-11-052025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Stop Israeli murder in Gaza.” “ma” is presumably a false start on “murder”. This is new graffiti at Camberwell Terrace/Limestone Road.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Ireland For The Irish!

2023-11-052025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This graffiti is on Kennedy Way, in CNR west Belfast, and so “Ireland” includes Northern Ireland.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Bill Of Shame

2023-11-032025-01-08Extramural Activity2 Comments

“Stand against the legacy legislation – state murder is murder! – bill of shame”

The UK parliament adopted the “Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023” on Septetmber 6th and it became law on the 18th, preventing future inquests and civil cases. Twenty challenges have been lodged against the bill and a hearing is due to begin on November 20th with a primary focus on whether or not the bill is compatible with the European Convention On Human Rights (ITv | BBC). In the meantime – prior to the May 1st, 2024 deadline — the Springhill-Westrock inquest continues on Monday (RFJ).

This mural showing Lady Justice gagged but with a raised fist, by Iliana Edwards (ig), is on a wall outside the offices of Relatives For Justice (web).

Update: February 28, 2024: The High Court has ruled against the Act (BBC).

See previously: a call to a rally in September.

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Copyright © 2023 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Forever 16

2023-11-022026-02-02Extramural Activity1 Comment

Caitlin McLaughlin died suddenly on June 24th. She collapsed from a heart attack as she walked to the bus station in Belfast to return home from a music festival at which she had taken ecstasy (BBC). A requiem mass was held in Galliagh on the 28th (BelTel) and the mural shown here was launched in Brookdale Park on October 27th, which would have been Caitlin’s 17 birthday (Belfast Live).

“I saw you all, my family & friends/the day God took me home,/I smiled, I cried, I felt so proud/You didn’t let me go alone//To all my friends, please listen now/To what I have to say,/Please don’t leave your loved ones/the way I did that day//I’m with the angels in heaven now/and with our we[e] Kyle too,/But often I look down and sigh/For I’d rather be there with you//Forget me not/XO”

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Copyright © 2023 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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Ulster & Israel

2023-11-012025-01-08Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Ulster & Israel – brothers in arms”. The Uzi was developed in Israel in the late 1940s and became a general-issue weapon in 1956 (WP). It was used (and copied) by loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland (Balaclava Street has a comprehensive history of loyalist weaponry) and appeared in a both UDA and UVF murals and graffiti: The Elite | Ulster Says No! To The Politicians | Sandy Row 2nd Batt | UFF Uzi.

Here is an article from TheJ.ca interviewing PUL politicians on their support for Israel and an Irish News article revisiting the issue in light of the current conflict. And loyalists have previously (since 2002? Irish Times | OU) flown the flag of Israel — see Gregg & Carson (2011) | View From The North Bank (2012) | The Young Conquerors (2013) | The United Nations (2014) | The Glorious Memory (2014) | Ulster Supports The People Of Israel (2018) | EU Hands Off Ulster (2021). But this is the first time that a symbol of violence has been used as the symbol of solidarity. (In republican muraling, see PLO-IRA (1982) | Women In Armed Struggle (1983).)

Tate’s Avenue, in the Village area of south #Belfast.

The placard in the middle, between Brothers In Arms and “Sir E. Carson K.C., M.P.” was discussed in Stand Firm. The Winning Hand was seen previously in The Red Hand And The Winning Hand.