“Resistance is not terrorism – Saoırse don Phalaıstín”. Gazan photo-journalist Motaz Azaiza (ig) visited Dublin – where he spoke at Bohemians (reddit | The Journal), Belfast – where he spoke with Clare Daly at the MAC, and Derry – where he spoke with Jamie Lee O’Donnell at the Guildhall (Derry Now). He also attended a rally at Free Derry Corner (Derry Journal | Derry Now), which has been painted with his likeness in honour of the work he has done documenting the destruction of Gaza by Israeli forces for his almost 18 million people on instagram. Fifteen of Azaiza’s relatives were killed in an air-strike on Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on October 13th, 2023 (WP).
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Copyright © 2024 Andy McDonagh/Eclipso Pictures (ig | Fb)
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Palestinian artist Taqi Spateen’s (web | ig) second piece in Belfast is in Palestine Street in the Holylands of south Belfast, where he worked with Artists Against Genocide (ig) to produce a piece showing the strength of Palestinian women, carrying the land from which Palestinians have been evicted in the Nakba of 1948.
For the first piece, in Kent Street in the city centre, see Anatomy Of Oppression. A third piece was painted in Crocus Street, in west Belfast: see Life Finds A Way in the Paddy Duffy collection.
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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In May and June, Palestinian artist Taqi Spateen (web | ig) toured various cities in England and Scotland (Leeds, Glasgow, Bristol, Stroud, London) as part of the Bethlehem Cultural Festival, producing a wall-painting at each stop. Thereafter, he came to Belfast, where he painted three pieces, beginning with this small piece on the side of the Sunflower bar in Kent Street, showing a person with a head encased in concrete trying to hammer themselves free.
For the second piece, see Women Carry The People.
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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One of Lidl’s slogans (and a “corporate responsibility objective” of the company) is to work “For a better tomorrow”. The electoral-style placard above urges “Don’t vote Lidl” and alleges that the company is “funding genocide for a bleaker tomorrow” and that its “policy is to fund apartheid, occupation, genocide” – perhaps through selling Israeli-made goods – particularly wipes made by Lupilu (ig video | Fb video | Fb | Change.org) – and through its parent company Schwarz’s acquisition of an Israeli cyber-security company.
The placard in the final image targets Home Bargains. According to the News Letter, it agreed to pull Israeli goods from its shelves back in October. BDS Belfast alleges that such goods can still be found (ig | Fb). These signs are on the Falls/Andersonstown Road where both HB (in the Kennedy Centre) and Lidl (next door) have stores. The Kennedy Centre Sainsbury’s has also been the target of protest (CYM).
The source of the placards is perhaps BDSBelfast (ig).
See previously: Ban Israeli Goods.
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The death-toll in Gaza now stands at more than 38,000 people, in addition to the 1,100 Israelis killed on October 7th (Al Jazeera). This graffiti singling out US President Joe Biden – and by extension America’s continued supply of weapons to Israel – is on the hoarding around the derelict Willowbank House, built in 1896 (Belfast Live).
Willowbank Gardens, north Belfast.
See also: The Fog Of War (on Slıabh Dubh) | Ireland Says “No” To Genocide Joe | Don’t Look Away | The Going Down Of The Sun
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“Israeli Genocide” (Israel represented by the Star Of David) – This Antrim Road (north Belfast) graffiti protests the on-going Israeli attacks on cities in the Gaza Strip. The death toll of Palestinians now stands at more than 37,000 people, with 60% of residences destroyed (Al Jazeera).
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Here is a gallery of seven pieces of stained glass in Belfast City Hall. BCC has a guide to all of the stained-glass windows in the Hall.
1 (above): North Irish Horse, and in particular, the WWII battles it participated in (listed at the bottom of the window).
2 (below): Spanish Civil War
3 Cú Chulaınn – seen previously in Ulster’s Defence Force. See also the Visual History page In The Shadow Of Cú Chulaınn.
4: The Dockers’ Strike – seen previously in One Big Union.
5: The Famine Window. See also the Visual History page on The Great Hunger.
6: The Pathways Window – according to the guide, this window commemorates the pain caused to the relatives of deceased persons from whom organs were taken without consent.
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Above, “How many [Palestinian] children have to die? Ceasefire now” opposite a (former) shop called Tír Na nÓg [County/Land Of Young People], and, below, “End the occupation. Free Palestine. We are all Palest[in]ian” with drawings of Palestinian and Irish flags.
See previously: How Many Kids Have You Killed To-Day? | How Many Kids? (from the Painting For Palestine project on The International Wall)
Castle Street/Water Lane and Stephen Street, Sligo
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Sandy Row says “no” to an Irish Sea border, but “yes” to Israel’s invasion of Gaza. The verbiage along the bottom of the tarp reads, “The battles we refuse to fight today become the hardships our children must endure tomorrow.”
The tarp is on the Rangers “55” hoarding on Sandy Row, and was seen previously in Let Us Shout Joyfully.
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Copyright © 2024 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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Extramural Activity 