Lower Shankill Angels

As can be seen from the images of the information boards that accompany them, these pieces are part of a second wave of re-imaging (Visual History 10) in the lower Shankill estate. Compared to the pieces they replace, these are even more neutral in theme, replacing cultural themes with community (and also all printed rather than painted).

Most of these are in the centre of the estate, alongside various UDA murals. There has also been a small wave of UDA stencilling and signage on the periphery of the estate – see Loyalist Lower Shankill.

I Am Not Resilent replaces the Andrew Jackson Ulster-Scots mural in Boundary Way.

Women’s Voices is on the wall formerly home to Play from 2009 (and not, as the info board suggests, either the Can It Change? or the Shankill Eddie).

Lower Shankill Angels replaces the long-standing LPOW mural.

Never Doubt is on a previously unused wall, at the top of the estate, on Hopewell Avenue.

Nothing About Us is a piece from the first wave of re-imaging that was moved to Malvern Way due to the new construction taking place on the estate.

For background on the individual pieces, see the individual entries in the Seosamh Mac Coılle collection: I Am Not Resilient | Women’s Voices | Lower Shankill Angels | Never Doubt | Nothing About Us.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Loyalist Lower Shankill

Welcome to the loyalist lower Shankill, and specifically the UDA (2nd battalion, C company) lower Shankill.

However, these are somewhat peripheral locations, in California Close, Boundary Way, and Hopewell Crescent. The centre of the estate has been re-imaged a second time – see Lower Shankill Angels.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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The Battle Of Britain

“Love demands sacrifice”. “‘From this day to the ending of the world … we in it shall be remembered, we few, we happy few, we band of brothers’ for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother’ – Henry V, William Shakespeare”

2015 marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, which was waged from July to October in 1940. This large board is part of an anti-racism project, celebrating the contributions to the Battle made by roughly 145 Polish aviators (WP) and especially the 303 squadron, which was stationed in Northern Ireland for a time (BBC-NI). “The Polish nation – part of us then, part of us now”.

The artist is Ross Wilson. Belfast Live has a report on the launch.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Oppose British Political Policing

“In defence of the nation – 32 County Sovereignty Movement [web] – opposed British political policing”.

32CSM’s statement on political policing can be found at its web-site.

Divis Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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RIP Vol Tommy Crossan

“Rest easy, big man”, “Justice will be done”.

Tommy Crossan, a former leader of the CIRA, was shot and killed, perhaps by former comrades, on Friday (April 18th, 2014 – Good Friday) (Guardian | BBC).

He was also active in elections in 2001 and in 2004.

Springfield Rd, west Belfast, close to where he was shot

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Ballymurphy March

The QR code in the second image takes one to an interactive walking tour (“Walk Of Truth”) of sites associated with the Ballymurphy Massacre; the walk was launched on August 8th, one of a number of Féile 2015 events (web) which included a photographic exhibition in St Mary’s and the march announced in the first image, from Springfield Park to O’Donnell’s GAA club.

Bombay Street, Northumberland Street

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Respect Equality

The People Before Profit Alliance is an all-Ireland political party closely related to the Socialist Workers Party. In the north, candidate Gerry Carroll was elected to Belfast City Council in 2014, representing Black Mountain. Gay rights does not seem to form an explicit part of the platform, but the mural above, featuring a heart with the rainbow colours, appeared on Divis St in time for the Pride parade on August 1st.

See also: Cherish from Sınn Féın.

Divis Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Free Stephen Kaczynski

Stephen (or Stephan) “Steve” Kaczynski will go before a Turkish court on September 18th on charges of membership of the Marxist-Leninist ‘Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front’ (DHKP-C). (WP) In April, members of the group took over a courtroom and held a state prosecutor hostage; when special forces stormed the building, the hostage and two of his captors died. (Independent) Kaczynski, a freelance journalist from Scotland, is alleged to be instrumental in financing the group. Alternatively, (according to various newspaper reports) he is an undercover agent of the Germans (Daily Sabah) or the British (Brian Haw). He has been on hunger-strike in protest at the conditions in Maltepe #3 since June 25th.

Replaces the announcement of a talk about torture in prisons. For the wider frame, see The Only Secure Community Is An Organised One.

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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