Free Derry mural updated

by francis hughes Mon Jan 05, 2009 20:14

solidarity. I love Derry

by Doire - sinn fein Mon Jan 05, 2009 21:17

I must say I'm impresed with this well done to ogre sinn fein, they must have done it in qickly as I didn't notice it myselve. We get the word out.

by Ciaran Gallagher - Queens Socialist Society (Socialist Party Northern Ireland) Mon Jan 05, 2009 23:56

Well done! Puts across the message nicely to the people of Derry - not that they'll notice or care anyway probably. At least some tourists will take notice of it!

by MP - None Tue Jan 06, 2009 00:36

Well done too! Great piece of work!
Just wondering what our learned friend from the Socialist Party means by "not that they'll notice or care anyway probably" in reference to the people of derry?

by paul - pfc Tue Jan 06, 2009 09:37

folks-the wall was transformed thanks to two individuals who had the idea and did the work-NOT any political group

by Dissident Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:00

Fair play to those involved. I've reposted here: http://dissident.gnn.tv/blogs/30650/Free_Derry_mural_ch...mural everyone should spread the word about this.

by Barnie Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:22

~And not the work of any political group, youth wing or otherwise. Well done, great solidarity!

by Goretti Horgan - Derry Anti War Coalition Tue Jan 06, 2009 13:24 resistderry at aol dot com

The Wall was transformed by the Derry Anti War Coalition. Jim 'Hawks' Collins and Sharon Meenan did the work on transforming the Wall, having been phoned by the Anti War Coalition, reminded of the forthcoming anniversary, and asked to design a Gaza-related image. They did a brilliant job - their creativity is amazing!

Speaking at the "unveiling" Eamonn McCann, on behalf of the DAWC, explained all this, as well as giving fulsome thanks to Jim and Sharon. There may well have been members of Ogra Sinn Fein among the wide range of people who attended the DAWC's short ceremony.

Of course, Monday was NOT the 40th anniversary of the Battle of the Bogside, which was in August 1969. Rather it is the 40th anniversary of the day after the Belfast to Derry Civil Rights march was attacked by a loyalist mob (including police and B Specials) at Burntollet bridge as it arrived at the outskirts of Derry. It was in the early morning of the following day that Police invaded the Bogside, smashing up houses and beating people up. After they had left, the "You Are Now Entering Free Derry" slogan went up.

by Finbarr Tue Jan 06, 2009 13:55

I agree with the sentiment of what was done but I don't think it should have been done. The Free Derry mural is an historical "monument". What has been done is a type of vandalism and I think it should be put back the way it was.

by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin - IPSC Béal Feirste Tue Jan 06, 2009 18:50

This is not vandalism. It isn't the first time the Free Derry wall and/or the surrounding murals have been changed to reflect what's going on around the world or back home in Ireland. And a closer look at the wall shows that the original message has just been covered over, which I'm sure can easily be removed when the time comes.

While it stays up, it will remain a very effective and stirring piece of work by the Derry Anti-War Coalition. Congratulations to all involved and thanks to the Bogside Artists as well, who I'm sure were consulted on it.

by Doire - sinn fein Tue Jan 06, 2009 19:53

Sorry to brust youre bubbles but Hawkes and Sharon are members of sinn fein the last I heard.
they work in the gas yard trust,
good work sinn fein Doire

by Barney Wed Jan 07, 2009 13:21

What an unedifying scramble to lay claim by all! There's nothing like a squabble to spoil the new mood of unity and solidarity!

Last poster; I know Hawks and Sharon are Republicans, not so sure they are card-carrying SF members, but in any case, let them speak for themselves, if they so wish.

Well done to all involved, whether People's Judean Front or Judean People's Front...

by Doire - sinn fein Wed Jan 07, 2009 19:44

Derry sinn fein are holding a mass protest tommorow be there

by Shazif Tue Jan 13, 2009 19:32

His real name is jim collins, hes my father, give him a bit of credit 'vandalism?' i dont think so

by Asier Sun Jan 18, 2009 23:35

It´s a good idea and a very good mural.
I´m basque,and I said all my solidarity with Palestine and Ireland people.
Saoirse go deo!

by Patrick - American Tour Company Thu Mar 10, 2011 21:41

I own and operate a tour company in the States. We bring spending Americans to Ireland. In 2009 we booked over 200 nights in Derry Hotels. The Irish history has been an attraction to bring people to Derry. Tourist ate in your restaurants, drank in your pubs and shopped in your stores. Tourist dollars help put bread on the table. Shame on you, for putting your narrow political views before the economic well being of many. We won’t be bringing them to the Socialist Town of Derry again.

by Ciaron - Giuseppe Conlon House, London Catholic Worker Fri Mar 11, 2011 06:54

I'm surprised your American dollar (dripping in blood as it is!) can buy anything outside the U.S. it presently can't even by an Australian dollar! I remember when the Austraian dollar was worth less than 60c American!

Sorry mate your time is over, your gme is up, your empire is falling and we're not going to turn our stuggles into your tourorist walkabouts or sell our children to service your sex tourists so don't even think about exploring that market stream here.

Remember your eco miles and have a look around the North American continent...it's a big place lots to see, lots of stories on striggle to hear from your own oppressed people.

If ya want the Irish thang move quick and get to Boston or NYC for the kick ass St. Patrick's day parade this weekend! If you go to the one in Worcester, Mass say hi to the CW's who will be there with an icon banner of St. Pat and a peace saying of the great man confronting your country's latest war efforts!

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:03

More like an overdue resuscitation of a moribund medium that had been incorporated into the gentrification of ground-level solidarity against militarist strangulation of civil rights marchers' responses(not unlike the north African and Arab activists drawing so much double-think suport in western media and political circles, currently) to the inertia and collaboration of mainstream media with the ongoing globalisation of velvet-gloved fascism of corporate extractive power. (shit, that got longwinded.Must try harder)
Some of us find the whorist industry's commercialisation of our history for the benefit of the usual suspects just a wee bit suspect.

Patrick would rather see it varnished and hung in a gallery behind a turnstile he can milk than restored to its iconic possibilities. Well done to whoever did it, whatever their labels. Your dollar wont buy ALL our compliance, never did.
Its the same war, different theatre, and we didn't start it, and dont have the money, media or hi-tech weaponry to fight it any other way.

And given that many of the visitors will be US citizens, the ones whose taxes subsidise the occupation and Zionist zealots, its directed to a target rich environment.
I hope someone has sent a shot east for the morale of those under the jackboot in Gaza and the West Bank.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:22

Hope I picked the right file.

One for Patrick

by Smart Alec. Fri Mar 11, 2011 19:12

"They don't matter because they are dreaded capitalists."

Fascists and Communists (same thing) interpret all events through the filter of their own delusions.
They usually never try to help people in trouble.