Tonight The Pensive Quill carries a follow up piece to Alec McCrory's article Marian Price Needs You. It is written by Martin Galvin who has long campaiged on justice issues in Ireland.
Alec McCrory's article is an important piece which raises important questions.
Why did the Brendan Lillis campaign succeed? Can the lessons of that campaign show us the way to win freedom for Marian, as well as for other Republicans who are now or surely will be targeted for special repression if the British succeed with these test cases?
My own analysis is that the British have their own version of a “change agenda”. The dark side of the British “change agenda” was to draw some Republicans into places within a British Stormont administration, then “change them” by displaying them in such positions as visible props whose names and reputations satisfy many nationalists and Republicans that repression is being taken care of through constabulary board and partnership meetings or by control over an appointed justice minister.
At times they will even issue statements that Marian’s imprisonment is internment or that Gerry McGeough should never have been jailed, or the brutal H-Block like strip-searches at Maghaberry must be halted. These statements are only meant as lip-service for the grassroots and have nothing to do with any real agenda. Ford is reappointed. The injustices allowed to continue. The “dark side” of Britain’s “change agenda” is plain to see in Marian’s “internment by license” or more accurately in her case internment by shredded pardon!
Meanwhile the campaign for Brendan Lillis has shown us a weakness in the British strategy. One strength of that campaign was that all Republican groups agreed to cooperate and join together. This made it much easier for prominent independent Republicans or human rights campaigners to come on board.
Obviously the heartrending eloquence of Brendan’s partner and the leadership provided by Gerard Hodges and others were crucial but they forged enough unity to bring out nationalists and activists in sufficient strength to make Britain’s strategy fall apart.
Lip service was not enough. Brendan Lillis had to be freed or the party’s brand undermined. It was a strategy which Sinn Fein used against the SDLP repeatedly when the SDLP were the dominant nationalist party.
Can Republicans force Sinn Fein to either stand behind us and take a real stand against Marian’s internment and other injustices which prop up British rule or else risk revealing the reality of what the party has become as part of the dark side of Britain’s change agenda? Can the lessons of the Brendan Lillis campaign work again?
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Martin
ReplyDeleteThat is one truthful post, and evey Republican who is still incarcerated should have the full support of all Republican Groups and civil Rights Groups, the main problem with Adams and Co and its supporters is, its high time they realised that their commander "Gerry Adams" and 2ic "Martyboy" thought they were intelligent and they could hide all from the mainstream footsoldier's and the Army Council, Little do they know that they were playing into the hands of the british MI5/MI6,and still are to this very day, the british got what they intended to get, "Decommissioning", PSF in Government", "on Policing", "Gerry Kelly", etc,etc,etc. PSF have been well hoodwinked, why did Adams Leave the Privince of Ulster and go to get a safe seat in the 26 counties?, think about it very carefully!, My analysis is, He is hiding a great deal, he knows something was in the wind by the british, and, he did not like it, it went against, what he thought was a deal between PSF and The british, now the british are implementing their stategy to revoke licences of ex POW's, It was okay for Marion and dolores to bring Car Bombs to the Old Bailey,with the orders of ,"Oh Great one Gerrymandering Adams after the Army Council dissaproved of Women being used in such an operation, But PSF Gerry won the day, and the Bombs were on the way, SO,"BUT", Who was the tout then, Because MI5/MI6, Knew of some of the Bombs, as for the car registrations , I think i wil let everyone work that one out for themselves, and , please believe Me, I was not one of those , Who i misstrusted so much, "NUTTING SQUAD", "Spies in the sky ", so, i ask all ex POW's irrespective of their Political Views, and all nationalists ,not to forget that Marion and all those still incarcerated are your FAMILY ,"REPUBLICAN FAMILYN" But now Marian and all those Still incarcerated have been left high and dry by PSF, So to the Republican Family, gather and support the release of all Republicans incarcerated in british and Irish establishments, and, dont forget our own incarceration at the hands of the brits and Irish establishments.
How long must we wait!
Timely aricle. Marion Price is being held a particularly grim situation, being the only female prisoner in a maximum security prison.
ReplyDeleteMarion's problem is that she is associated with a republican group, whereas Brendan Lillis was not.
This seems to make it harder for the varoius republican groups to pull together in a campaign.
Thanks for raising this issue.
Correction to my previous comment:
ReplyDeleteI just read that Marion Price has been moved to the women's prison at Hydebank.
She is still being detained unjustly.
Who in their right mind would have believed that ex-prisoners and ex-comrades would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those torturing political prisoners? The more I read Animal Farm, the more prophetic it sadly becomes.
ReplyDeleteRory one of the things most of us who participated in Brendan Lillis campaign was that we were campaigning on a humanitarian issue, lots of us having issue with the reason Brendan was in gaol in the first place, Marian is different in that she as an unrepentant republican and is a reminder to qsf that through either greed stupidity or treachery or brainwashing by agents of influence or indeed a mixture of all of these that psf has now truly become qsf .this is the same organisation that promised all that Gerry Kelly would be Justice minister but when push came to shove they did what they are now really good at and thats bending the knee to dup threats ,so we cannot expect anything from qsf other than weak lip service in Marians case, now with the dark nights almost behind us maybe we can reinstate the camp on the old Andersonstown ruc barracks and white line pickets on this busy nationalist road, push for qsf to show some backbone on this issue by threatening to withdraw from Stormont(stop laughing I know its a long shot)but they have the key to Marians release if we can push them hard enough they may just be forced to use it, I suggest we try for a mass picket of Connolly /thatcher house,where Martin Galvin had his ALAMO those years ago.a time when republicans where proud of Marian ,Martin,Corey, and Gerry Mc Geough, and stood up to brit thuggery,if there is anyone who feels they disagree with Marians stance on politics they can still fight (ops have to watch how one says things)get involved in the humanitarian issue re Marians continuing solitary confinement and ill health.
ReplyDeleteSam,
ReplyDeletesome time ago I observed that the best book on the peace process was written long before the process ever started - Animal Farm. But there is nothing new under the sun. What the Sticks did SF will do. Once the Stick virus is in the system there is little that can be offered in the way of immunisation. They supported supergrass evidence and informing. It is an iron rule of republican politics – go Stick, do Stick.
Martin,
ReplyDeletegood piece. Thanks for putting it our way
Aye Anthony and Dipstick
ReplyDeleteI (tried to) post a comment earlier, but it hasn’t appeared yet. Yes, AM is right, there hasn’t been an anti-biotic (which don’t kill virus’s by the way) or any drug invented that stops the Stick virus (unfortunately). My earlier post concerned ALL of us standing together in protest at the treatment of Republican prisoners, no matter if you belong to a political party, or like myself, none. Protest against the treatment of political prisoners and the internment of Marian Price, Martin Corey and Gerry McGeough (among others) and forget political allegiances until we’ve got some sort of “justice” for them.
ReplyDeleteBelfastgit,
ReplyDeleteno idea what happened to your comment. it did not come through.
You would imagine that all former prisoners would support the call for Marian's release. But there are many who are embarrassed by Marian because she flags up very clearly which side they are on now. And if they protest too much they are going to be asked how did such a situation arise when Marty McGuinness told everyone he was going to put manners on the police.
Policing is another area where republicanism lost out badly. And we see it today.
Marty,
ReplyDelete"now with the dark nights almost behind us maybe we can reinstate the camp on the old Andersonstown ruc barracks and white line pickets on this busy nationalist road, push for qsf to show some backbone on this issue by threatening to withdraw from Stormont..."
Aye, the sap is rising now and I get the feeling it's time to hit the streets.
This year, on this subject, my personal focus will be on Marion, as it was on Brendan last year.
AM
ReplyDeleteThank you for acknowleding that I sent an article earlier. AM, I am actively calling on people to get out and protest about the prisoners, I am sick sore and tired of people saying that they can’t be annoyed, they are political prisoners, full stop! Get out there and protest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flags ,posters,badges,and flyers relating to Marians plight are due to arrive in Belfast this week,as far as I can tell there is due to be a white line picket at the junction of the Falls and Whiterock rd on Tue ,leaflets are to be distributed in Castle st on Fri ,hopefully this may be the start of more concerted high profile campaign to have Marian released.
ReplyDeleteAnthony,
ReplyDelete'Policing is another area where republicanism lost out badly. And we see it today'.
I don't think it necessarily follows that Republicanism, having lost the war, has lost out on policing. Marian Price has not been imprisoned on account of her political beliefs but rather on the basis of how these manifest themselves.
Holding a piece of paper is punishable by untold solitary confinement,,a harsh punishment by any standards dont you think Robert, wouldnt like to get caught stealing a rabbit a cara,
ReplyDeleteRobert,
ReplyDeleteand how did those beliefs manifest themselves? She is bailed on any charges that she faced. She is in jail for something other than she is charged with.
Marion Price is essentially being held hostage as a threat to so called "dissidents".
ReplyDeleteHer crime is opposing the status quo. Every single member of PSF should hang their head in shame.
Robert
ReplyDeleteI quote, "Marian Price has not been imprisoned on account of her political beliefs but rather on the basis of how these manifest themselves." ...in the mind of her opponents and their ability to abuse their power.
Marian Price has had the the benefit of unbiased decisions from the Court in her favour -the court accepts she may have a case to answer but that she need not be held captive until a trial is arranged.
I do not agree with MP or the hooded man who read from the sheet of paper she held for him. BUT I do care that she be treated fairly and properly,
Also, MP's case is exposing fundamental flaws in what Sinn Fein delivered to its members and supporters. For a Politician to be able to secure someone's detention in NI is an illustration that an Executive Order can override the authority of a court of law which determined that she should be released on bail. SF are part of the Executive and they cannot wash their hands of the matter by claiming it is the Secretary of State.
For those in SF sitting on the Justice Committee sound bites are no longer enough.
Tiarna
Well said tiarna,
ReplyDeleteMore information on action on behalf of Free Marian campaign...
ReplyDeleteTHURSDAY.....1ST MARCH
4---6PM TAXIS PARK Castle Street,
TUESDAY.....6TH MARCH..
WHITE LINE PICKET......JUNCTION FALLS RD /WHITEROCK RD.
More to follow..
Marty,
ReplyDeleteIf it were a case of a piece of paper containing a benign Easter message from the RIRA, a recall involving solitary confinement would indeed be a draconian response. The response I think is entirely proportinate to the actions of an organisation that is responsible for the Omagh bombing.
Is there a female Republican wing where Marian Price can be housed?
Anthony,
ReplyDelete'..and how did those beliefs manifest themselves'?
By detonating bombs in London that injured 200 people. Latterly she has been charged with involvement with Masserene and issuing death threats. As you have pointed out she has been bailed on these specific charges. In my opinion there is nothing unreasonable or unjust about having her licence revoked where she is continually implicated in RIRA activity.
Robert,
ReplyDeleteshe did detonate bombs in London but that reinforces the opposition to her detention.
She served her sentence and was released. She has been charged subsequently but crucially bailed. She is not being held for the charges she faces but for previous charges for which she has served her time. She has been found guilty of nothing. So she is imprisoned as a result of an executive decision made by a British official. For this reason I believe those who feel it is internment have a strong point
Robert whats the point of having a justice ministry ,or indeed an assembly however one feel about it,when it can be superseded by an unelected mp from the conservative party,Marian,s internment is proof if needed that what passes as decomarcy here is nothing more than a puppet show controlled of course by Westminister
ReplyDeleteRobert
ReplyDeleteThe same files that were put before the Court were put before an elected politician, one has constitutional legal jurisdiction the other does not. The Court saw nothing in those files that justified pre-trial detention (the Court is fully aware of her past).
Price is in captivity soley on the say so of a non-legal authority because the Executive shares your sense of bias and not because of the unbiased reasoning of the Judiciary.
You should not cast stones about Marian Prices lawlessness (past or alleged current conduct) while the rule of law does not support your argument for her continued imprisonment. The Court says NO and you and the SoS say YES to her detention --rule of law and democracy do not work that way and it is the views of people like YOU and the SoS that make people feel they have no option but to kill someone to get fair play.
tiarna
Tiarna,
ReplyDelete'You should not cast stones about Marian Prices lawlessness (past or alleged current conduct) while the rule of law does not support your argument for her continued imprisonment.'
On the contrary Owen Paterson revoked Marian's licence after she was charged with offences under the Terrorism Act 2000 and following the recommendation of the Parole Commissioners. He was permitted to do so by powers conferred on him by Parliament in the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001. I appreciate that you may resent this but it is not illegal.
'The Court says NO and you and the SoS say YES to her detention --rule of law and democracy do not work that way and it is the views of people like YOU and the SoS that make people feel they have no option but to kill someone to get fair play.'
My views on this are merely personal opinion that have, in any event, no bearing. It seems somewhat extreme that someone should be killed on that basis.
Robert
ReplyDeleteMP and her lawyers say that she was pardoned and not released on license. So there exists no license in order for Paterson to revoke; therefore unlawful detention applies. Rather conveniently the pardon itself has gone astray, nevertheless, by default things fall in MP's favour. These are arguments of reason and logic not resentment.
"My views on this are merely personal opinion..."
Ditto, it is Paterson's opinion also (not the Court's).
And, NI is full of extreme people willing to break the law or abuse it and Paterson seems to be no different; I say it is for the Court's to decide on the merits of MP holding a piece of paper and Paterson loosing a piece of paper in order to hold her captive, and not a politician's personal opinion.
I was an admin on the free BL Facebook group which had over 2000 members.
ReplyDeleteParty politics and/or organisations agendas were kept to a minimum as was anyone individually disrespecting others that distracted from the ultimate goal of the campaign to free BL -
there were times street protests was priority - legal or medical issues priority - humanitarian and HUMAN RIGHTS were central to binding people together from across the globe.
Email - letter - campaigns - select targets at various times. - ford - Mla's - TD's - organisations in the USA - newspapers, -
Do not ignore social media Facebook twitter multi-media etc as their reach is vast - I am happy to share in more detail in private the tactics and techniques that can be used-i am not hiding anything just at this stage no need to duplication of effort -
Apologies as this was posted elsewhere my personal opinion is
I was an admin on the free BL Facebook group Party politics and/or organisations agenda 's were kept to a minimum as was anyone disrespecting the ultimate goal of setting BL free my initial response (apologies for capitals) is-Sonicboom Boomboy MY INITIAL RESPONSE IS IT MATTERS NOT WHAT PARTY - ORGANISATIONS A REPUBLICAN BELONGS TO - THE TREATMENT OF POWs AND/OR THOSE AT THREAT OF THEIR LICENCE REVOKED DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE - EVERYONE IS AT RISK - MARTIN COREY, MARIAN PRICE AND GERRY MCGEOUGH FOR EXAMPLE - CAMPAIGNS FOR POWs THAT INCLUDE HUMANITARIAN ISSUES AND HUMAN RIGHTS SHOULD PUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ASIDE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES
I was an admin on the free BL Facebook group Party politics and/or organisations agenda 's were kept to a minimum as was anyone disrespecting the ultimate goal of setting BL free my initial response (apologies for capitals) is-Sonicboom Boomboy MY INITIAL RESPONSE IS IT MATTERS NOT WHAT PARTY - ORGANISATIONS A REPUBLICAN BELONGS TO - THE TREATMENT OF POWs AND/OR THOSE AT THREAT OF THEIR LICENCE REVOKED DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE - EVERYONE IS AT RISK - MARTIN COREY, MARIAN PRICE AND GERRY MCGEOUGH FOR EXAMPLE - CAMPAIGNS FOR POWs THAT INCLUDE HUMANITARIAN ISSUES AND HUMAN RIGHTS SHOULD PUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ASIDE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES
ReplyDeletePlease do not ignore social media Facebook twitter video multi media etc there were over 2000 members from across the globe - coordinating aspects of the campaign and giving priority to certain aspects at various times were critical. There was a strong group ethos and bond and respect within the group.
There are particular social media techniques that are vital too - rather than repeat and duplicate them here please contact me in private and can share ideas on how to use these in regard to Marian price
Thanks jimmy
Somewhat garbled comments Dingo, but I get the gist of it.
ReplyDeleteI think I will post off a letter to David Ford this morning on the Marion Price issue.
By the way, I'm a member of the Brendan Lillis Facebook group and was very active in that campaign on the strrets of Dublin and Wexford.
I think the group was very well run and was quite right in being strict on keeping personal political opinions to a minimum. So well done.