Hunger strikers from back page
Socialist Press1980 1980-11-05Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 2 →
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prisoners.
Largely because of this betrayal, seven brave men have been driven to a course of action that could rapidly bring their deaths.
They have a right to expect and demand the support of British workers in their struggle against military rule. It is the Thatcher government-busily attacking the British working class-which is presiding over the oppression of the nationalist minority in the six counties of Ireland.
It is the British capitalist class-currently throwing millions of British workers onto the dole queues-which is the common enemy of British and Irish workers.
The republican prisoners have taken a firm stand. They have declared that only the granting of PoW status will persuade them to end their hunger strike.
It is up to their struggle succeeds, these men do not die.
In every area, socialists should at once call meetings and local demonstrations to publicise and win support for the prisoners' case. Trade unionists and Labour Party members must put down emergency resolutions pledging active support to the fight.
Mobilise The national demonstrations on November 15 and December 7 must be supported by a mobilisation from labour movement bodies.
The hunger strikers have thrown down a challenge to the British labour movement. We must respond by redoubling the fight for PoW status, for the immediate withdrawal of British troops and for the right of self-determination for the Irish people.