“Remember the hunger strikers 1981-2016.” This thirty-fifth anniversary tarp on the rear of Free Derry Corner focuses on the election of Bobby Sands on April 9th, 1981. The election was triggered by the death of Frank Maguire. Sands ran as an “Anti-H-Block/Armagh Political Prisoner” and won in a head-to-head contest with the UUP’s Harry West after the SDLP did not nominate a candidate. Despite the claim that the election put “his life in your hands”, Sands died twenty-six days later, on May 5th.
In the centre is a note written by Raymond McCartney, who is shown on the right on hunger strike in 1980 and who is running in the Assembly elections and who launched the board (Derry Journal).
“To the members of Fermanagh GAA: On April 9th Bobby Sands is seeking your support in the Fermanagh/S. Tyrone bye-election. He is standing in the election to show that we are political prisoners, and is no 34 days on hunger strike. Each vote, every vote, your vote is crucial, and as someone who was on the hunger strike last year I appeal to you to use your vote and vote Bobby Sands. Remember, we are political prisoners and Bobby, Frank, Patsy and Raymond need your support. Go raıbh maıth agaıbh. Raymond McCartney H-Block 4.”
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2016 Peter Moloney
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