Dockers And Carters Strike 1907

“Not as Catholics or Protestants, not as nationalists or unionists, but as Belfast workers standing together.” For the 100th anniversary of the strike by dockers and carters in Belfast, this large board was painted by Fra Maher and Rısteard Ó Murchú. It was launched on August 11th without the title across the top (youtube). See X00166 and X00167 for the finished product.

Leaders Boyd and Larkin are portrayed in the middle. The second panel shows speakers (including Larkin) on a platform (O’Hare); the third shows an RIC guard of blackleg workers – about 70% of the force mutinied and the fifth panel shows dismissed RIC constable William Barrett being carried through Belfast; the sixth shows the Cameron Highlanders being stoned by picketers (History Ireland). Margaret Lennon and Charles McMullan, two Catholic victims of British soldiers, shot during protests, are portrayed in the bottom right.

Northumberland Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2007 Peter Moloney
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Where’s The Joy?

Three year-old Tyler Watson survived the crash in which both of his parents were killed by a “death driver” (rather than “joyrider”) near Ballymoney (BBC). For the original photograph, see the SMC post on the version of this board on the Shankill, where the Watsons were from.

Three versions of the mural were painted, part of the campaign by Families Bereaved Through Car Crime (Fb). This one is on the Springfield Road, near where Debbie McComb was run over in 2000 (see Death Driving), and is dedicated by artist Frank (Lucas) Quigley to son Rossa Quigley who was struck by dangerous driver in April 2003 on the Cliftonville Road. Another was placed in north Belfast just below Cliftonville Road.

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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Now That I’m Free

Anti-drugs board in the Markets, Belfast, covering all the bases: “Goodbye marijuana, cocaine and crack/I’ve finally got my life on track/I don’t need you, you don’t need me/I feel good now that I’m free.” “1 out of every 4 people who die sniffing solvents are first time sniffers!” “LSD can make you very confused and scared. Some people never recover from the experience of having ‘a trip’.”5 tabs can damage your body by poisoning your liver. They can also lead to coma and even death.” “Cannabis can make you paranoid, sick and forgetful. Some people end up not being able to stop using it.”

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Copyright © 2006 Peter Moloney
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