union federation and CP leader George Marchais have called on the British government to grant the prisoners aellands.
Support committees are widespicad wes Europe and North America.
The strength and determination of the campaign show that it is more than prison conditions which are at stake. It is part of the struggle OI the nationalist population of Ireland to oppose the atof the government to impose its rule in the Six Counties.
Since 1976 the policy of both Tory and Labour governments prelena lal all is 'normal' in Northern Are lu The active involvement of British troops in the 'security forces' has been reduced, and the role of ine Royal Vister Con. stabulary and Ulster Defence Regiment been stepped up.
The special category status' previously granted to Republican and Loyalist prisoners has been withdrawn and a major propaganda campaign waged to brand them as terrorists and criminals.
nationalist population relalls coll vinced that these prisoners are fighters for the right of the Irish people to decide themselves how their country should be ruled and that the first step is to get the British out.
Speaker from National H-Block/Armagh Committee in Ireland plus Alistair Logan, solicitor, and others.
Socialist Challenge 19 March 1981 Page 12 challenging Britain's right to rule in the North of Ireland.
It is the British labour movement that has the major responsibility in the campaign for support of the prisoners and to get the troops out.
One of the most important tasks confronting the trade unions and Labour Party is to get the leadership of the Labour Party to break from its pact on the orles.
The policy of 'bipartisanwhich it SHID both in and out of office must be overturned.
leadership has followed the lead of the large majority of Labour MPs and allowed oper ion of Ireland. The media have done the same, with a resulting wall of silence around the events in the North of Ireland.
Labour
But as the resistance of the people of the North of Ireland has continued it has been impossible to maintain the silence. There has now been two serious attempts to the history television. The Daily Mirror has called the British government to set a date for withdrawal and to resolve the prisoners' issue.
The most significant developments have been within the Labour Party.
Public meeting H-Block hunger strike Friday 20 March, 7.30pm Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1 Called by H-Block/Armagh (London) Committee THE PRISONERS FOR WORKER'S ACTION New issue just out.
*Support the Prisoners.
Make the British Concede *H Block/ Armagh Strategy for Victory *Reviews: The Troubles and Victory to the Armagh Women Available from PO Box 50 The Labour Committee on Ireland argues within the Labour Party to commit the next Labour government to withdrawal.
While it supports the prisoners' campaign, Lne LCI's annual general meeting last weekend rejected a long-term orientanon o naK bo wild le solidarity movement outside the Labour Party The Labour Party's consulative aucument on gives the labour movement the best opportunity for years to discuss the Irish situation, and for Lose commited fighting for withdrawal to put their position across to a wide audience.
Much education will be needed to win the support OTI aDOl movement for immediate STILSO wildelawal part of that support will be to campaign to detend the hunger strikers in the North of Ireland jails. magh jail on Sunday 8 March Women's Day. A countries.
women's and and Frances de la Tour. to Socialist Challenge for detailed inforhusband's life.
ing their lives, adamantly opposed presence in the North of Ireland.
It was never No progress until the troops go BERNADETTE McAliskey refers reporters mation on the attack on her and her Despite the British army's part in savBernadette was still to the army's based on personal tional emotion, press Ireland while they are here.
publicity officer animosity, prejudice or any other irra she told the conference. 'Historical reality is that there will be peace or progress in As the hunger strike continues, Ber nadette plans to resume her activities as National H
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Support Irish prisoners - grant the
National Demonstration Saturday 25 April, in London
* SOCIALIST REPUBLIC SUPPORT
(Report! DEREK
Block/Armagh Committee. Cha VICTORY TO THE MINERS!