tee, Furniture, (FTAT)
WE'VE been on strike • 17 Royal Pride, Salford, for week TOT union recognition and our jobs.
time attitude unions has changed completeine most serious reason why my attitude changed was because the factories i't one tha wasn't involved in some kind of struggle as far as their jobs went And yet, everyone of them was willing to help us financially. I realised then that the fight wasn't just going on at Royal Pride It was a fight that involved evervooar against ine tactic. Timber and Allied Trades whole thing right in his pam oner when ne wowswenal the we've got the , But have we go the leadership?
LOOK at the trade she are is to a Our • job is to change tha cuts are affer ting more thar one ese, I enkero see wome oroanise „more in une union and in the Labour Part:
useful is that it is a charce. nose same about the unior ecs:to ger together
FOR the first 17 days of his hunger strike Bobby Sands, later to be the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, kept a diary. This was smuggled out of Long Kesh prison and last week printed, in full, in An Phoblacht/Republican News.
We reprint an edited version which attempts to capture the flavour of what is a remarkable document.
The entire diary can be obAn Phoblacht/Republi 44 rarel, Dublin Send 30p plus 20p for postage.
DAY 1: I am standing on ine unresnola or anomel trembling world. May God nave ce on my soul.
My heart is very sore because I know that I have healt, and my home s heart. my nome struck unbearable anxiety.
But I have considered all the arguments and tried every means to avoid what has become the unavoidable: has been forced upon me and my comrades by four-and-ayears of stark inhumanity.
am political prisoner. I am a political DESOICI casualty of a perennial war that 1s being fought between the oppressed Irish people and an alien, oppressive, unwanted regime to withdraw from our land.
Rate the statutory weekly bit of fruit night. As fate had it, it was an orange, irony, was bitter food is being left at the door. My portions, as expected, are quite larger than usual.
DAY 2: Much to the distaste of the screws we ended the no-wash protest this morning. moved to 'B' wing, which was allegedly clean.
have considerable tolerance today.
Men are being searched coming trom the toilet. At point men were walting three hours to get out to the toilet, and only four or five got washed. which typifies the eagerness (SiC) of the screws to have us off the no-wash.
There is a lot of petty vindictiveness from them.
saw the doctor and I'm kgms. I've no problems....
DAY 3: I'm feeling exceptionally well today it's onthe third day, know, but all the same I'm feeling two David Beresford Guardian and Brendan O'Cathaoir of 'The Irish Times. Couldn't quite get my flow of houghts together, I could have said more in a better fashion...
They put a table in my cell and are now placing my food on it in front of my honestly couldn't give a damn if they placed it on my knee.
They still keep asking me silly 'are you still not eating?' Got papers and a book today. The book was Kiplallist Challenge 25 June 1981 Page 8 ing's 'Short Stories' an sth From on of Somerset Maugham. I took an instant dislike to the latter on reading his comment the rish people during Kipling's prime as a writer:
*It is true that the Irish were making a nuisance of themselves'. Damned too bad, I thought, and bigger the pity it wasn't a bigger nuisance!!
DAY 4: I have not felt too today, although notice the energy beginning to drain. But it is quite early yet got showered today and had my hair cut, which made me feel quite Ten years younger the boys joke, but I feel twenty years older, the inevitable consequence eight years of torture and imprisonment....
Noticed a rarity today: tam way the sa, and by Way the screws are glaring at the food, more in need of than my goodsell DAY 5: ..I'm saying Past minute one, some minute would say. But I believe in God, and I'll be presumptuous and say He and I are getting on well this weather.
can ignore the presence of food staring me straight in the face all the time. But I have this desire for brown wholemeal bread, butter Dutch cheese and honey. Ha!!
because, think, human food can never keep a man alive for ever I console myself with the fact that I'll get a great feed up above (if I'm worBut then I'm struck by this thought that they don't eat food up there. But if there's something better than brown wholemeal bread, and CiCesC etcetera, then it can't be Dau The March winds are tonight, which reminds me that I'm twenty-seven on Monday. I must go, the road is just beginning, and tomorrow is another day.
am now 62 kgms, and, in general, mentally and physically, i feel very good DAY 6: ..I have felt the loss of energy twice today, and am feeling slightly weak.
They (the screws) are unembarrassed enormous amount of food they are outting into th ell and I know they have every bean and chip counted or wined tools The damned don't realise that the doctor does tests for traces of ally food Regardless, I have no intention of sampling their tempting morsels.
ht so slap is all it night so avoid sleeping during the day. am even having pleasant Teams and headaches. I wonder how long I will be able to keep these scribbles going?
I have no doubts or regrets about what 1am doing for I know what I have faced for eight years, and in particular last four-and-a-half years, others lads and girls will tace, still young school...
They will criminalise us, rob us of our true identity, steal our Individualism, aeponacist us, churn us out systemised, institutionalised, decent law-abiding robots. Never will they label our liberation struggle as criminal.
I can hear the curlews passing overhead. Such a struggle. But, such a lonel struggle. my friend, this road is well trod and he, whoever he was, who first passed this way, deserves unc salute of lne nation. I am but a mere follower.
DAY 7: I am 61 kgms today, going down.
I'm HOE troubled by hunger pangs, paranoic about anything pertaining to food, but by God the food has improved here. I thought I notic ed that rike. Well, there hunger-strike is a lot at stake here...
The screws are starins Many o I'll oblige them, but my God they are fools.
And I may add there is only one thing lower than screw and that 1S Governor. And in my experience the higher BOCS that disgusting ladder they call rank or position, the lower COLC getst's raining, I'm not cold my spirits are well, and I'm still getting some smokes - decadence, well sort of, but who's perfect? Bad for your health.
DAY 8: In a few hours time I shall twentyseven grand years of age. Paradoxically it will be a happy enough because i perhaps that's because am free in spirit, I can offer no other reason.
I was at Mass today, and saw all the lads minus their beards, etc....
One of the lads collapsed before Mass, but he's alright now. Another was taken out to Musgrave military hospital. These are regular occurrences..
read some wild-life articles in various papers, which indeed brought back memories of the once-upon-a-time budding ornithologist!
I am awaiting the lark, for spring is all but upor us. How I listened to that lark when I was in alie watched Dall of chaffinches which arrived in February Now lying on what indeed 1s my death-bed still listen even to the black CLUWS DAY 9: ...I always kee thinking of James Conno ly, and the great calm an dignity that he showe right to his • VON CHO courage and resolve.
Perhaps am biase because there have be thousands like him, bi Connolly has always bee the man that I look u 1o Well, I have gotten b twenty-seven years, so tha is something but the Republic of 191 will never die. Onward t that Republic and libera tion of our people DAY 10: ...From what have read newspapers l am becomin
obby Sands unger strike diary increasingly worried and would quite well be an are of the fact that there tempt at a later date to pull the carpet trom under our feet and undermine us — if HOI defeat LOUS hungerstrike with the concession bid in the form of our own clothes as a right'.
This, of course, would solve nothing. But allowed birth WITN the voice of the Catholic hierarchy, SCIOUS CU age our position.
It is the declared wish ot these people see humane and better conditions in these Blocks But the issue at stake is 'humanitarian' • Or abou better or improved living conditions.
purely political and only a political solution will soive it.
We wish to be treated 'not as ordinary prisoners' for we are not criminals. We admit no crime unless, that is, the love of one's people and country is a crime.
Would Englishmen allow Germans to occupy their nation or Frenchmer allow Dutchmen to do akewiser Must go as I'm getting tired.
DAY 11: I received a large today. Some from people I do not know....
I was trying to piece quote rom Connolly today which I'm ashamed that I did not succeed in doing but I'll meagre lew lInes They go something like this: a man who is bubbling over with enthusiasm (or patriotism) for his country, walks through the streets among his people, their degradation, poverty, and suffer ing, and who (for want of the right words) does nothing, is, in my mind,: fraud; for Ireland distinc Irom is peopie is out d mass of chemical elemen There are still too, too many who walk among the people bubbling over with alse enthusiasm, false Political magpies and political opportunists and parasites, the Fitts, Devlins, Humes Sticks, Haugheys, FitzGeralds and the rest of those disgusting band of aLL"
DInous unscrupulous Total equality and fraternity can't, and never will be, gained whilst these parasites dominate and rule the lives of a nation. There is no equality in a society that stands upon the economic and political bog of only. the strongest make it good or survive.
Compare in any decade in history, compare it tomorrow in the future, and it will mock you. here are no luxuries the H-Blocks. But there is true concern for the Irish people.
DAY 12: ...Physically have felt very tired today between dinner time and later afternoon. I know I'm physically weaker, it is only to be expected. But I'm okay. I'm still getting the alright, but there's nothing heartening in them.
I heard of today's anthat Frank on hes wistrike on me hunger-strike on day have the greatest admiration and confidence in Frank and I know that I am not alone. How could I ever be with comrades like those around me, in Armagh and outside ...I have poems in my mind, mediocre no doubt, of HUBCUBKE and MacSwiney, and everything that this hunger-strike has stirred up in my heart and in my mind, but the weariness is slowly creeping in, heart willing but my body wants to be lazy, so I have decided to mass all my energy and thoughts into consolidating my resitate is most imporThat tant. Nothing else seems to matter except that linger ing Constan reminding thought 'Never give up No matter how bad, how black, how painful, ever how heart-breaking *Never lose hope 'Never despair' Let then bastards let ham grill and wine, them grIn and jibe, allow them persist in their humiliation, brutality, deprivations, vindic meens, let petty ments them laugh now because all of that no longer important or worth a response I am making my response the vicious inhuman atrocity they call H-Block. But unlike their laughs and • will be the joy of victory and joy of the people, our reveng wise the Hoermon oa and the final defeat of the oppressors of our aged naDAY 13. : ...I was not so tired today, but my back gets sore now and again sitting in the bed.
...The birds were singinged bread of tot tys threw window. At least somebody was eating!
I was lonely for a while this evening, listening to the crows caw as returned home Should hear the beautiful lark, she would rent my heart. Now, as I write, the odd curlew mournfully calls as fly over. like the for if I write more about the birds my tears will fall and my thoughts return to the days of my youth They were the days and gone forever now. But enjoyed them, and least I haven't forgotten them. They are in my heart - good night, now.
DAY 14: Again, uneventful somewhat ing day. My weight is 58.25 kgms, and medical complaints. read the papers, which are full of trash.
Tonight's tea was pie and beans, and although hunger may fuel my imagination (it looked powerful sized meal), COME chaggerate the beans were nearly falling off the plate.
It was inviting (I'm human too) and I was glad to see it cave u cell, ever would I have touck ed it, but it was a starving nuisance. Ha! My God it had have attacked, I'd have fled.
On a closing note, I've noticed the screws have been really slamming the in particular my own.
good indication mentality of these people always vindictive, •always full of hate. I'm glad to say am not like that Well I must go to rest up as I found it tiring try after a bath.
DAY 15: Frank has now joined me on the hungerstrike. Mass today saw which the vUys I enjoyed. boringain it had a bie ty Again it was a trouble to get slopped out tonight and to get water.
I have a visit tomorrow and it will be good to see my family. I am also look. ing forward to the walk in the fresh air, it will tire me out. hope weather is good. I must go.
DAY 16: I had a wonderful visit today my mothe father Marcella. Wonderful, considering the circumstances and the strain which indeed they are surely under.
I've noticed the orderlies slices of bread for bits of Care substituting cake, etcetera stealing the sweet things (which are rare anyway) for Thense ver I don't know whethe it's a case of 'How low car you get?' or •Well, could you blame them'. But they former....
There was no mirror search going out to visits today pleasant change. Apparently, the ending of the no-wash DIOLESL the mercenary screws have lost all their mercenary bonuses, etc., notwithstanding that they also losing overtime and . SO 011 So not to be outdone they aren't going to carry outate or scarce dul more, and its accompanying brutality, degradation, humiliation, , etc Because they aren't being paid for it!
DAY 17: ...I saw one of the doctors this morning, ill-mannered SOLL me. My weight was 57.50 kgms. I had no com plaints.
The governor was in with me and gave me some lip. He said 'I see you're good thing it isn't a long for you won't finish it!
That's the sort of people they are. . Curse them! I don't care. It's been a long day I was thinking today about hunger-strike People say a lot about the body, but don't trust it.
I consider that there is a kind of fight indeed Firstly the body doesn't accept the of food and it suffers the temptation of food, from other aspects which gnaw he loder tents back The body fights sure enough, but at the end of the day everything returns to the primary con sideration, The mind is the mind.
most important If you don't have strong mind to resist all won't You wouldn't have any fighting spirit.
But then where doe this proper mentality sten from? Perhaps from one' desire for freedom. It isn't certain that that's where it cortes from They e aren't able to destroy desire for freedom, they won't break you. They won't break m because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart The day wil when all LIC OCONCU Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show. It is then we'll see the rising of the moon.
Socialist Challenge 25 June 1981 Pag
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take their choice and fill of the food always, so it's the