Prayer In The Time Of Coronavirus

Another entry in a growing list of religious placards adorning the streets during the covid-19 pandemic, this time from the Shankill: “Drive-In Gospel – Gospel Hall Matchett Street, Sunday at 7:00pm.” According a survey cited in this FT article, the faith of Americans has generally strengthened during the pandemic.

Previously: Rediscover The Power Of The Rosary | Freedom Of Religion | Nearer My God To Thee

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Freedom Of Religion

St Mary’s in the city centre is open, but with precautions against the spread of coronavirus. A one-way system is in effect. Seating is in alternate pews. “No singing; no loud talking.” And the use of holy water is “temporarily” suspended.

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You Were Given This Life

“You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.” This Shankill Road poster actually dates back to the anti-suicide #MessagesOfHope campaign undertaken at the end of 2018 (see You Are Enough) but continues to be relevant as the Covid-19 epidemic continues.

The tree is alongside the Shankill Memorial Garden: Who Went To War And Never ReturnedAmong The Fallen | XXXVI | The Sacrifice Remains The Same.

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Nearer My God To Thee

How to survive Covid? Maintain social distance, as on the right? Or, as on the left, “Jesus I trust in you”? Collinward Avenue, Glengormley.

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No Signal

JJB Sports went into receivership in 2012 and the Royal Avenue shop was (is?) to become a Wetherspoons (Future Belfast). In the meantime, the hoarding is used by Leo Boyd (web | ig | Fb). Welcome to the simulation!

Previously by Leo on Extramural Activity.

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A Matter Of Life And Death

Eddie The Trooper is a British red-coat version of Iron Maiden’s Eddie The Head. And “These Colours Don’t Run” is a song from the band’s 2006 album A Matter Of Life And Death. The phrase is a pun equating the colours of the flag with the army beneath it – neither the colours nor the army “runs”. This lower Shankill sticker, from Rangers FC “ultra” supporters the ‘Union Bears’ (Fb | web) is on the side of a butt bucket – another reason for not running.

The specific design seems to be the most recent version from Londonderry – see Eddie The Trooper’s own Visual History page.

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There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Glentoran FC. Pride of Ulster.” Two examples from the Glentoran sticker campaign in the early months of the year, before coronavirus put and end to the season and the players on furlough. See previously Le Coq Sportif.

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Rediscover The Power Of The Rosary

Hope for salvation from the coronavirus epidemic appears in Iveagh Street: “‘There is no problem I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.’ – Sister Lucia [Lúcia], Fatima visionary. Rediscover the power of the Rosary at www.therosary.net

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Support The 5 Demands!

100+ politicians, academics, and signed a letter calling for the release of some ETA prisoners during the coronavirus epidemic. This is only the first of the five demands (recalling the Blanket protest here) in this 32CSM poster from King Street, Belfast: “Support Basque political prisoners! Support the 5 demands! 1. The freeing of vulnerable prisoners and those who are coming to the end of their sentences. 2. To receive family visits. 3. Access to materials to avoid being infected (gloves, sanitisers, etc.). 4. Carrying out of Covid-19 tests on prisoners and jailers. 5. In the event of the death of family member, the possibility of a prisoner going to the funeral home to pay their last respects. Stop the torture!”

See also Patxi Ruiz.

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The New Normal

“Community warning. This area is being monitored for antisocial behaviour. Your behaviour has consquences. Think of your community. Don’t do anything you might later regret. This sign was amended by Lasaır Dhearg [web | tw] as part of our campaign against imperialism and PSNI normalisation.” The substitute version is from the Fall Road, the original (below) is from Ballysillan Road.

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