Belfast west

Bill Of Shame

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“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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Stop Israeli Terror

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A march/rally supporting Palestine takes place in Belfast today, starting at noon and going from Writer’s Square to City Hall. The graffiti above is on the Falls Road at the Royal: “Stop the genocide. Stop “Israeli” terror. ‘Fom the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!; BDS [Boycott, divestment, sanctions (web)] IPSC [Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (web | Fb)]”

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The Way I See It

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Des Wilson and Noelle Ryan served the Springhill community for over forty years (see Inspire, Uphold, And Make Happy). Noelle died in 2014 (An Phoblacht) and Des in November 2019. They are remembered by this stained glass window in Conway Mill (by Mill resident Alice McGuinness (Fb)): “In memory of Father Des Wilson 1925-2019”, “Dedicated to Noelle Ryan 1932-2014”

“The Way I See It” is the title of Father Des Wilson’s autobiography (and the title of NVTv’s documentary about Des).

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Israel Get Out Of Palestine

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These images were taken in the lower and middle Falls, west Belfast. As might be expected, there is some reaction to the current conflict between Hamas and Israel: “Victory to the resistance – Free Palestine!” and “#NotMyKing” are at the closed-up Mac Diarmada club at Sráid Phort Láirge (see previously: CIRA GHQ); “Israel get out of Ireland” is on a crossing button in Beechmount.

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Drop The Rents

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RSYM/IRSP/INLA (Xitter) are campaigning for landlords to keep their rents at the LHA (Local Housing Allowance, a.k.a. housing benefit) levels (set by the Housing Executive). They assert that it is exploitative for private landlords to use the housing shortage as a reason for higher rents.

Beechmount graffiti.

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Fáılte Go Dtí Rodaí Mhıc Corlaí

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A new “fáılte” [“welcome”] mural was painted at the Roddy’s in anticipation of the official opening of the new republican heritage centre/ıonad oıdhreachta poblachtaí (web) which took place on September 28th. Construction of the museum and the adjacent restaurant began in May 2021 with an investment of 1.35 million pounds (Belfast Live). The museum’s exhibits cover republican history from 1798 to the present, and items on display from the Society’s collection include vintage uniforms and artefacts, historic maps and documents, and prison handicrafts.

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30 Years On

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A service was held yesterday in West Kirk Presbyterian to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the bombing of Frizzell’s fish shop on the Shankill Road. As part of the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the new memorial marking the spot on the Shankill where the bomb exploded, killing nine locals — hence the Arabic “9” among the Roman numerals on the clock face — and one of the bombers (ITv footage). The clock shows the date and time that the bomb went off: 1:06 pm on Saturday October 23rd, 1993.

The new ‘clock’ memorial replaces the three plaques seen in Frizzell’s (though the circular plaque might have been incorporated into this new memorial); the board of portraits served as the cover for the memorial in the days prior to unveiling and was placed over the credit union’s ATM.

West Kirk also contains a stone and bench to the victims of the Shankill bombing. Nine trees were also planted in their memory: John Frizzell, Sharon McBride Leanne Murray, Michael Morrison, Evelyn Baird, Michelle Baird, George Williamson, Gillian Williamson, Wilma McKee.

“We remember those who were killed, those who survived and those lives changed forever.”

“‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away’ Revelations 21 v4”

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Reaching Out Is A Strength

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“Hope” from Visual Waste (ig) for Suicide Awareness and Support Group West Belfast (ig).

Cavendish Square, west Belfast

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Stand Firm

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Two varieties of this “Stand Firm” placard are going up in PUL west Belfast: (above) “Power-sharing or protocol. Stand firm. There is no basis for power-sharing while the protocol remains. Equal citizenship.” and (below) “Power-sharing or protocol. Stand firm. Restore the acts of union. All UK citizens on an equal footing. Equal citizenship.” The context: Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP have been making noises about a return to Stormont after a year of refusing to participate, which has led to criticism and the threat of “street protests” from hard-line unionists (BelTel).

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Free Palestine (Belfast)

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The “occupied Palestinian territories” include the West Bank (including East or Arab Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip, which, although governed by Palestinians since 2005, is still considered occupied due to Israel’s blockade and control of Gaza’s borders and seas (UN).

This new mural on Ascaill Ard Na bhFeá/Beechmount Avenue/RPG Avenue in Belfast is prompted by the current attacks on, and siege of, Gaza by Israel in response to the attacks by Hamas that left more than 1,300 Israelis dead (Jerusalem Post). The mural perhaps uses the same stencil as in Springhill in 2014, reproducing a Carlos Latuff (Xitter) cartoon.

See also three posts from Derry: Free Palestine | Victory To Gaza | Ireland Supports Palestinian Resistance

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