“Immediate expulsion of all Israeli diplomats from Éıre”. Gazans flee ahead of smiling soldiers from homes set ablaze by a tank flying the Israeli flag. This new mural on the international wall associates the current Israeli invasion of Gaza (which the Israelis call “Operation Protective Edge“) with the US/South Vietnamese attack on the village of Trang Bang during the Vietnam war by modelling itself on Nick Út’s 1972 Pulitzer prize-winning photograph for the Associated Press of villagers fleeing a napalm bombing (the photo can be seen at Wikipedia).
This is an interesting set of images from Main Road, Moygashel.
The first three employ familiar imagery of the UVF and the 36th Division (the Home-Rule era “Deserted! Well – I Can Stand Alone” is less familiar but goes back to at least 1988; the UVF flag also references the anti-Home Rule movement in the “1912” date of the founding of the Ulster Volunteers).
The stencil (“It is not racist to protect your own community”) and hand-painted board (“Don’t be DUPed”) indicate a recent change in attitudes.
In the May elections for the European Parliament, UKIP received the most votes and the most seats (24), campaigning on an anti-immigrant and Euro-skeptical message; this is its best electoral performance to date (WP). Perhaps in response to UKIP’s increasing popularity, Conservative leader David Cameron last year (2013) promised (gov.uk) a referendum on EU membership, should the Conservatives be elected in next year’s (2015) general election.
The source of dissatisfaction with the DUP is less clear. The party won the largest number of seats in the local elections in May (WP).
These are perhaps the first appearance in the Peter Moloney Collection of both sentiments.
The Craigavon Two – John-Paul Wootton and Brendan McConville – were convicted in 2012 of the 2009 murder of PSNI Constable Steven Carroll (BBC) and sentenced to 18- and 25-year minimums, respectively. The case is under review (Guardian) and a campaign for their release is under way (Fb).
The stencilled mural above shows two pairs of arms in chains, surrounded by a border of chains; it replaces the right-hand side of Think Independently.
Hugo Street, west Belfast. The initialism was also seen on Slıabh Dubh last (2013) October.
Here is a gallery of anti-Agreement stencils and hand-painted boards in Newry. The primary concern is the treatment of prisoners in Maghaberry and elsewhere – “Republicans against internment”, “Stop the strip searches in Maghaberry”, “Smash Maghaberry”, “End British torture in Maghaberry”, “Restore political status” – followed by anger at Sınn Féın for its collusion with the organs of Westminster – “Sinn Féin – we deliver British rule” and “Provo puppets still administering British rule”.
Kilmorey St x2, Daisy Hill x2, Edward St, Chapel St x3
The piece features (left) Colin Duffy, who was arrested in November 2012 in connection with the murder of David Black (BBC | WP), and (right) Marian Price (WP) who was released on May 2013 after two years in prison.
Stephen Murney, an éırígí (web) activist, was released in February after fourteen months in Maghaberry (RN | BBC-NI). This stencil in support of Murney is in the New Lodge, north Belfast. For a gallery of other such pieces from 2013, see Free Stephen Murney.
RNU (Republican Network For Unity) mural at the top of Berwick Road (Paráıd An Ardghleanna) featuring the words of Maıréad Farrell, one of the PIRA members shot on Gibraltar.
“Everyone tells me I’m a feminist. All I know is that I’m just as good as others … and that especially means men. I am definitely a socialist and I am definitely a Republican. I believe in a united socialist country, definitely socialist. Capitalism can offer our people nothing and yet that’s the main interest of the British in Ireland.”
“RNU in west Belfast are today leading the way in combating anti-social behavior [sic], reclaiming republican values, fighting the benefits cuts, tackling the increased drug problem, exposing the slum landlords, rebuilding community pride.” RNU [Republican Network for Unity (Xitter)] stencil on Northumberland Street. Tommy Doherty (leaflet) is running in the local council elections taking place on May 22nd.
“Cuts: made in Britain [by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition led by Cameron and Clegg government], sold by Stormont!” éırígí (web) stencil on Northumberland Street.
The words “Rise up!” were later added to the banner being carried by the protesters on the right – see X02681.