Che

You Cannot Kill Ideas

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A week before he was assassinated and his government overthrown, Burkina Faso president Thomas Sankara asserted: “While revolutionaries as individuals can be murdered, you cannot kill ideas.” Sankara gained power of Burkina Faso (then Upper Volta) in a 1983 coup and launched an ambitious programme of literacy, feminism, public health, and agricultural self-sufficiency, in addition to launching a drive against corruption and of nationalizing natural resources. He attempted this all without the assistance of foreign aid or the IMF or World Bank. However, he wielded power outside the jurisdiction of the courts and controlled the press. He and twelve colleagues were killed in October 1987.

Beechmount Avenue, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Comrades In Resistance

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A Che Guevara quote – “I don’t care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting” – unifies two panels bearing masked men firing funeral volleys, Irish and Palestinian shields, and “Our day will come” and “freedom” in both Irish and Arabic.

Carlisle Road/Queen’s Parade, below Teach Chú Chulaınn in the New Lodge flats

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Copyright © 2015 Peter Moloney
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Blood Of An Irish Rebel

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“Che Guevara – Blood of an Irish rebel.” Che’s father declared that the blood of Irish rebels ran through his son, in reference to their Irish ancestry. For genealogical information, see the previous entry on the Che Guevara Lynch mural in Derry.

The mural was painted for the anniversary of Che Guevara’s death, on October 9th, 1967. The mural features multiple copies of Korda’s iconic Guerillero Heroico (discussed in the Visual History page on Jim Fitzpatrick), two quotes from Che – “When forces of oppression come to maintain themselves in power against established law, peace is considered already broken” and “If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine” – and the flags of (from left to right) the Basque Country, Palestine, Ireland, Cuba, Catalonia and Argentina (where Che was born; or perhaps Guatemala, where he was first active – the shield above contains no central icon, which would distinguish the flags).

The artist is Damian “DeeDee” Walker, of the Gaelforce group (Fb).

McQuillan Street, Falls Road, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2013 Peter Moloney
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Fountain Bonfire

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Purloined pieces decorating this year’s Relief Of Derry bonfire in the Fountain: a hand-painted “Free Marian Price now!” board, a 32CSM flag, and (flying) flags of Che Guevara on a Tricolour, the IRSP, and a Starry Plough, as well as tricolours, an FAI flag, and an … Argentinian? flag.

Hawkin Street, Londonderry

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Copyright © 2012 Peter Moloney
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