Ógra Activists with Brendan Curran and Leo Green
This weekend Ógra Shinn Féin in Lurgan hosted a discussion on Prison Protests and Politics, featuring two prominent republicans from the area and the local Ógra Shinn Féin cumann. Former republican POWs Brendan Curran and Leo Green talked about their experiences in Long Kesh, during the 1970s and 80s. Brendan spoke of his experience in the "Cages", while Leo outlined the change in British policy in the H-Blocks, and the historic blanket and Hunger Strike protests.
Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson Fergal Connolly said,
"We have began to host these discussions as a continuation of our discussion groups, formed over the summer. Ógra Shinn Féin recognise the need for discussion around our past and our present. It was very beneficial to talk with Brendan and Leo, both former POWs. Both give an interesting account of their time in prison. Brendan explaining what it was like actually having the status the protesting prisoners sought, and Leo talking about his time on Hunger Strike."
He continued,
"As both men pointed out, there is a huge importance in making the prison protests more than just a historic event. They must be relevant today, and we must learn whatever lessons we can from that time in our history."
Ógra Shinn Féin will be hosting a Republican Youth Weekend titled "From Prisons to Politics" in Newcastle, Co. Down; 9-11 January 2009.
For more info contact :- fcochrane038@yahoo.ie
Leo Green and Brendan Curran talking with Ógra
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