Student Protests | Captive Columns | Rights in a New Ireland

Solidarity to Student ProtestersIn the late 1960s the major national and international issues of the day that helped shape my politics were the anti-Vietnam War movement, the anti-apartheid struggle against the racist South African government and the civil rights movement in the North.  In all three the activism of students was central to raising public awareness and opposition to injustice.Today students are again at the heart of an ant-war movement. In the USA students at over 100 university campuses have taken a stand against the genocidal war of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.Captive Columns – an untold account of prison lifeCumann na Meirleach Poblachtach Éireannach/ The Irish Republican Felons Association celebrated its 60th birthday last weekend.The first part of last Friday evening’s celebrations was given over to Danny Morrison who hosted two conversations. The first was with Síle Darragh and Mary Doyle and focussed on their experience in Armagh Women’s Prison. The second was with Colm Scullion, Jackie McMullan, and Jazz McCann. This centred on Bobby Sands, Joe McDonnell and Kieran Doherty who they knew well in the H-Blocks. The discussions were insightful, informative and inspiring.Rights in a New IrelandLast week the British government’s Legacy Act took effect and a group of international human rights experts published a major report accusing the British state of operating a “systematic” practice of impunity to protect state forces. In the same week people interested in human rights packed into St Comgall’s – Ionad Eileen Howell. The Conference was organised by Sinn Féin’s Commission on the Future of Ireland.