Remember Vol. Joe McDonnell

Ógra Shinn Féin was part of a large crowd attending the Joe McDonnell commemoration in Belfast on Sunday 8th July, which made its way from Lenadoon to the Roddy McCorley center.

We also marched to remember Fian John Dempsey who was murdered that same day 26 years ago.

Joe Mc Donnell died on hunger strike in 1981 seeking 5 basic demands, and to end the British policy of criminalisation of the Irish freedom struggle. Joe died with nine other comrades in this fight.

The main speaker was Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey who stressed the importance of being aware of the Sinn Féin strategy, were we have come from, and praised the support the party has, signalling an endorsement of the the strides taken forward.

Julie Livingston's sister spoke on the fight against plastic bullets, and John Finucane also spoke on uncovering the truth and challenging the British Government's policy of state sponsored murder through Collusion.

Damian White of Ógra Shinn Féin said,

"It was impressive, the amount of people who turned out to remember Joe McDonnell 26 years following his death."

"26 years on from his death, the British have never quit in their pursuit to crimalise the Irish freedom struggle. But just as they failed in 1981, they fail today, because of the steadfast belief of the Hunger Strikers, and we as republicans must use the brave and selfless example shown by the ten brave men in every aspect of our struggle today."