Tory concessions fail to halt hunger strike

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Seven republican prisoners in the 'H' Blocks of Long Kesh concentration camp in the six counties of Northern Ireland began a hunger strike last Monday as part of the campaign for the restoration of political status republican prisoners.

A decision by the Tory government to allow prisoners in Northern Ireland to wear their own clothes failed to stop the protest going ahead.

At the same time a further 142 prisoners in the "H' Blocks have gone 'on the blanket', bringing the total involved in the campaign to 350. nuclear one.

Only if the thousands of people now being mobilised against the threat of war join forces with workers struggling Three demonstrations took place in Northern Ireland over the weekend in support of the prisoners, the largest of them attracting 15,000 marchers.

This is without doubt the largest demonstration of support for the republican prisoners for some time and clearly represents growing support within the Catholic community for the struggle of the republican prisoners to be granted political status.

As we have said before, the decision of the seven to start a hunger strike is a sign both of their determination and also of their desperation.

The republican movement has appealed in the past to the British labour movement for support for their demands but the union leaders who will march against repression in distant countries refuse to mobilise any support against the repression of Irish republican prisoners by a British imperialist These republican prisoners deserve the support of the labour movement.

* For political status for Irish republican prisoners now, prior to an amnesty!

*British troops Ireland now!

*Self-determination Irish people!

*For an Irish worl republic.

Morning Litho Printers Ltd., ion orkers Socialist League