Chicago Hunger Strike Commemorative Film Showing Report

Tj Ó Conchúir, IRSCNA



On 29 April, republicans and republican socialists of the Irish Freedom Committee (IFC), Concerned Group for Republican Prisoners (CGRP) and Irish

Republican Socialist Committees North America (IRSCNA) gathered together as the Chicago Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee (CHSCC). The CHSCC hosted a film showing of the movie by ex-RS POW director Terry George.



The film is a harrowing depiction of the ordeal the Ten went through, as well as those who survived the strike. The film also depicts the suffering by the mothers, family and comrades on the outside in a convincing way. Several people were moved to tears by the film.



Following the film a discussion was held by the committee. The audience asked many questions and were given reports by the IFC, CGRP and IRSCNA spokepersons regarding their respective prisoner situations. The IFC and CGRP detailed the conditions in the prisons, and how a tragic repeat of the hunger strikes could be possible due to the de facto loss of political status. The IRSCNA representive was pleased to announce the recent release of Dessie O’Hare, and explained how the struggle today with the RSPOWs is not just in the prisons, but also with the ex-POW assocatiion Teach Na Fáilte who are targetted as ‘criminals’ by the British authorities despite lack of evidence.



There was talk of how the support networks in the USA can help lead the way to more broad front work, and united action on such issues as the prison struggle.



As well as educational and motivating, the film showing was a successful fundraiser, and many copies of republican literature, including the Starry Plough were distributed.



The Chicago Hunger Strike Commemoration Committee’s next activity will be a punk rock show fundraiser in late July, before the the actual commemoration of the ten in August.