Tell The World, Freedom Is At Hand

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The death by hanging of African National Congress supporter Benjamin Moloise on 18 October, 1985, for the alleged murder of a South African policeman, drew international condemnation and led to widespread rioting in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. (ExecutedToday | Jet) His words, “tell the world, freedom is at hand”, are paired with a phrase from Bobby Sands, “we aim to be free”, in this ANC-IRA mural featuring an armalite and a zulu shield and spear. In the second and third images the boards (above the mural) declaring west Belfast an “apartheid free zone”/”ceantar saor ó apartheıd” can be seen.

“Beır bua” [seize victory]; “erected by Sınn Féın April 1986”

Ascaıll Ard Na bhFeá/Beechmount Avenue, west Belfast

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Copyright © 1986 Peter Moloney
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Roll Of Honour

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This is a black-and-white, English-language, version of a ‘roll of honour’, with names in Celtic script, mural that would quickly be redone (see I gCuimhne Agus In Onóir). The graffiti underneath read Maggie Lured Hurd To Be A Turd. There is also graffiti on the low wall: “All the queens horses and [all the queens men] couldn’t catch the IRA in [London again]”. Kells Walk/Rossville Street, Derry

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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
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I gCuımhne Agus In Onóır

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“In memory and in honour” — the dead volunteer of the Derry troubles is made equivalent to the Celtic warrior of Irish mythology. Rossville Street, Derry. The list is longer than the previous version of this mural (Roll Of Honour) and than in In Proud And Loving Members Of Derry’s Dead Volunteers: Joseph Coyle, Thomas McCool, Thomas Carlin, Eamonn Lafferty, James O’Hagan, Gerry Donaghy, Colm Keenan, Eugene McGillan, John Starrs, James/Seamus Bradley, Michael Quigley, John Brady, James Carr, James McDaid, Joe/Joseph Walker, Gerard Craig, David Russell, Michael Meenan, John McDaid, Ethel Lynch, Brian (= Bernard?) Coyle, Dennis/Denis Heaney, Patrick/Patsy Duffy, George McBrearty, Charles Maguire, Eamon Bradley, Phil McDonnell, Richard Quigley, Danny Doherty, William Fleming, Ciaran Fleming, Charles English

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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
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Struggle For Freedom

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This two-part mural in Forest Street, Belfast, features (left) a Sunburst and a Starry Plough on either side of two volunteers who are watching the sun rise/set and (right) “Struggle for freedom” below an outline of the island against the green-white-and-gold stripes of the tricolour.

This mural dates back to 1981.

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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
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Women In Armed Struggle

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“Solidarity between women in armed struggle” across the world: female members of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Cumann Na mBan, and the Southwest African People’s Organisation (from Namibia) drawn within the symbol for woman (also the planet Venus in astrology). The mural (or perhaps the wall) was “Improved by Sınn Féın Youth” and on the side-wall: “Cowardly loyalists backout”. Falls Road, Belfast

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Copyright © 1985 Peter Moloney
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