MOST of the time Paul Abels.is a Methodist minister in Greenwich Village, York. last week ne dia somelning anferent: he became a campaigner for Irish political prisoners in the H Blocks of Long Kesh and the women's prison in Armagh.
It was not an instant conversion. His interest in the issue has been growing since church staged a cycle of plays on Ireland by John Arden and Margaretta D'Arcy at Easter.
But five days in Ireland last week has turned that interest into something approaching an obsession. 'Something has be done about InIS humanity', he told me WCCK. But his to inwhole these •soles dic case. We wonder if it is because they want the truth hidden of the inhuman . treatment these prisoners are suffering.
The nearest Berrigan, Abels and the rest came to Long Kesh was the car park outside the 'We called out the main gales. names of each man on the blanket and after each name we chanted, 'You are not alone. This 'witness', as Paul called it, was repeated outside Armagh prison, where 'the guns were aimed at us most of the time. It was a most persuasive wide Dage a . special experience.' the last time the delegation came British Army. ed in Belfast at the headquarters of the National Smash H Block Committee, Paul rounded Toney were there with saracops, guns and a camera.
delegation were having discussions with three Irish priests in a hotel room, a British soldier opened the door and walked in siege:
and prisoners' pounding sense of fun.
seemed to have a dog.
then another. chain of barking dogs.
to knows.
the H Blocks.
It was not the first time, or When they arrivwas "surtroops.
Then the next day when the unannounced.. 'West Belfast', said Paul, 'was a place under Like other visitors to the beleaguered Catholic ghettos, what impressed Pau most was the determination of the people especially . of the relatives. He also notes how, despite the comof suffering' they have experienced, they retain a 'There always seems a bit of humour in it all. Almost every prisoners in the area we visited When the military come in the dogs and bark: first one. then another * The There becomes a MIS 'It only happens when tha military come in: the does seem The families call it their early warning system.' Paul and his colleagues will now return to the United States to try to spread the truth about Five days in Ireland convinced him that 'the inhumanianything else I have witnessed anywhere in the world. It is my deep hope that Britain will get the out of Northern Ireland.' 'West Belfast was a place under seige' - Paul Abels CHARTER 80 to hold founding rally.
THE experiences of Paul A bels once again underline th importance political prisoners.
In Britain the recently formed Charter 80 is doi just that. The Charter 80 petition reproduces the demands of the prisoners themselves and calls for: * The right of prisoners te wear their own clothes.
The right to refrain from prison work. * The right to free association amongst other politic * The night thei recreationat facili id to reccive Alan Sapper, general secretary of the television techni cians" union, ACTT; and Gordon Mclennan, general secretary of the Communist Party, The founding rally of Charter 80 takes place on Saturday 27 September at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London. It begins al 1pm and speakers include Irish trade union -leader Winter of SWAPO, and Chris Myant, deputs editor of Morning Star of campaigning for the righis of Iris!
ova coa i, our letter.
Daly.
ery of the National Union of Mineworkers;
Kevin MeConnell. Bishop