Support The 5 Demands!

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

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.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07299

Reading Between The Lines

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Dominic Cummings, advisor to the ruling Conservative party in the UK government, was a source of controversy and widespread derision in May when he claimed that he had driven (during the coronavirus lockdown) from London to Durham in order to deliver his son to his grandparents and then to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight (WP). Protestations of disbelief and calls for his resignation were widespread, including the amendment to the east Belfast graffiti shown above: “We’re in this together – except for Cummings”. For the original, see Inspiring Belfast.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07297

Loyalist In Lockdown

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, people celebrating the Twelfth yesterday were encouraged to maintain physical distance from others by staying in their gardens as the bands marched by. Homeowners decorated their properties (perhaps using these Twelfth At Home packs in Lurgan). Here is video from the Belfast Telegraph of yesterday’s marches.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07295 X07294

Tour Of Clough

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The Red Hand Defenders flute band will commence its march from the Clough (Co. Down) Orange hall at 12:30 and its route will take it under the Orange arch in Main Street, shown here, with King Billy flanked by portraits of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (on the left) and soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division (on the right). It will visit the houses in Jordanstown, Church Grove, Church Court, and Claragh Court (PC).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
X07284

Stay Apart

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Here is the bonfire in Pitt Park (east Belfast) that was set alight yesterday evening for “Eleventh Night” (for some images see this Kevin Scott gallery). This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is a banner advising people to “Stay 1m apart! Thank you”, in addition to nationalist symbols such as the Irish Tricolour.

For the mural in the background, see Culture Threatens No One.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07293

Battle Of The Bug

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Flags are flying in east Belfast in preparation for this year’s marching season (and the 75th anniversary of VE Day. All seems normal but the coronavirus epidemic has meant the cancellation of many parades for this year’s Twelfth (which will be celebrated on Monday, the 13th) and a social media campaign to get people to stay at their homes and “let the band come to you” (Newsletter | Irish Times | BBC).

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07222 X07221

The New Normal

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“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.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07289 X07290

Here To Stay

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“#ICantBreathe – George Floyd RIP”. Spurred by the killings of George Floyd, Rayshard Brooks, and others, marches against police brutality and racism are now well into their second month, with (it seems) greater coordination but diminished frequency and intensity. The graffiti shown here on the wall below the old Sean MacDiarmada club replaces the “IRA here to stay” graffiti, which was on top of the “Dıchoılınıgh D’ıntinn/Decolonize Your Mind” graffiti, which was on top of “Heroin dealers will be shot dead” graffiti.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Sabine Troendle (web | Fb)
X07286

Thank You, NHS

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Union flags with “Thank You NHS” in east Belfast, one (above) in front of “Freedom Corner” on Newtownards Road (for the recent history of the mural on the right, see East Belfast Brigade) and another (below) in Ballarat Street.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07193 X07257

Orange Memorial Hall

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The foundation stone for North Belfast Memorial Hall (Fb) was laid by Edward Carson in 1923 (Fb) to a plan by Gabriel Porte. Here is the facade in brilliant sunshine, with a banner in support of NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic. “Thank you to all our NHS staff and essential workers from the local Orange family together fighting Covid-19.”

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2020 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X07121 Alexandra Pk Ave