international

Gateway To West Belfast

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The power station below Divis tower, rather than the so-called International Wall a little further up the road, is becoming the starting point for (republican) west Belfast. Visitors from around the world are greeted in a variety of languages. The board is sponsored by Gort Na Móna Historical Society. Above it is a Fáılte Feırste Thıar [Welcome To West Belfast] tarp: “Promoting west Belfast tourism”.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Coıste Political Tours

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“Over 40 years ago, the presence of this flag on this street unleashed a vicious campaign of discrimination and violence against this community lasting decades … 45 years on this flag can flow freely from every corner… all flags are welcome on this road and so are you … fáılte go dtí west Belfast .” The incident referred to is the “Tricolour Riots” of the 1964 Westminster election campaign, in which the IRA’s Billy McMillen (shown in the middle) stood for office. Armed police raided his Divis Street headquarters and removed a Tricolour in the window. An Phoblacht has an account of the election and events. Here is news video from 1964 of charges subsequently brought against 70 people. The US Stars & Stripes is included prominently in the array of flags, but the Union Flag is absent. Coıste’s website is now coiste.ie rather than .com.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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Arkansas ’57 – Ardoyne ’01 – South Belfast ’09

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“Everyone has the right to live free from sectarian/racist harassment!!!” Arkansas ’57 – Ardoyne 2001 – South Belfast ’09. This is a smaller and updated (and cruder) version of the ‘It’s black and white‘ mural in Ardoyne. That original put the abuse of the Little Rock Nine after Brown v. Board Of Education (‘Arkansas ’57’) in parallel with the abuse of students attempting to get to Holy Cross primary (‘Ardoyne 2001’). This update adds the treatment of residents in lower Ormeau during the Orange marching season, a controversy that began in 1992: see Postcard From The Edge | Trade Off?

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
M04819

Cuba – Fifty Years Of Revolution

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Pro-Cuba mural on the international wall and criticism of the Obama regime’s continuation of the US blockade. “The world opposes US blockade of Cuba. Time for a change Mr Obama.” “UN General Assembly resolution Oct 2008. Countries opposed to the blockade: 185. Countries in favour: 3 (US, Israel, Palau)”. “¡Aqui no se rinde nadie!” [There’s no giving up here!]

Replaces Stop Plan Bush on the International Wall.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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No Pasarán!

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“Dedicated to the people of Belfast, the island of Ireland and beyond who joined the XV International Brigade to fight Fascism in the Spanish Civil War 1936 – 39, and to those men and women from all working traditions who supported the Spanish working people and their Republic. This sculpture was commissioned by the International Brigades Commemoration Committee and unveiled by Bob Doyle International Brigade veteran on 13th October 2007. Sculpted by Anto Brennan. Erected by the Open Window Production Team, Gerard Brennan.”

Writers’ Square, Belfast city centre

Previously by the Brennans: Jim Larkin in Donegall Square.

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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A Tribute To John Hume

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“A Tribute to John Hume” by the Bogside Artists. Hume is in the company of other Nobel peace prize-winners: Martin Luther King, Jr (1964), Nelson Mandela (1993), (the Derry bridge,) and Mother Teresa (1979). Hume was awarded the prize jointly with David Trimble in 1988, and Mandela with F. W. de Clerk.

Rossville Street and the rear of Glenfada Park

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Copyright © 2009 Peter Moloney
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