RSYM/IRSP/INLA (Xitter) are campaigning for landlords to keep their rents at the LHA (Local Housing Allowance, a.k.a. housing benefit) levels (set by the Housing Executive). They assert that it is exploitative for private landlords to use the housing shortage as a reason for higher rents.
Beechmount graffiti.
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Saturday’s protest (BBC | Irish Times | in September there was also a wake BelTel) against the cyanobacteria in Lough Neagh (map) included the hand-drawn banner shown above, which is based on a Soviet poster ‘Be vigilant’, probably via its use in internet memes (Google Images | 2014 Irish version). In this case, the “thief” is the Earl Of Shaftesbury, the owner of the bed and soil of Lough Neagh who is open to selling it but not to transferring ownership gratis (BBC).
There is a similarity between this style of image and the earlier one seen in republican muraling, such as Stad Maggie Anoıs (1986) and England Get Out Of Ireland (1989) (and which was also recently used by Kneecap in Hawthorn Street). It would appear that both slogans “Put it back, thief” and “England, get out of Ireland” were used with this (latter) style of image – see Stad Maggie for links.
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The “occupied Palestinian territories” include the West Bank (including East or Arab Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip, which, although governed by Palestinians since 2005, is still considered occupied due to Israel’s blockade and control of Gaza’s borders and seas (UN).
This new mural on Ascaill Ard Na bhFeá/Beechmount Avenue/RPG Avenue in Belfast is prompted by the current attacks on, and siege of, Gaza by Israel in response to the attacks by Hamas that left more than 1,300 Israelis dead (Jerusalem Post). The mural perhaps uses the same stencil as in Springhill in 2014, reproducing a Carlos Latuff (Xitter) cartoon.
See also three posts from Derry: Free Palestine | Victory To Gaza | Ireland Supports Palestinian Resistance
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Two varieties of this “Stand Firm” placard are going up in PUL west Belfast: (above) “Power-sharing or protocol. Stand firm. There is no basis for power-sharing while the protocol remains. Equal citizenship.” and (below) “Power-sharing or protocol. Stand firm. Restore the acts of union. All UK citizens on an equal footing. Equal citizenship.” The context: Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP have been making noises about a return to Stormont after a year of refusing to participate, which has led to criticism and the threat of “street protests” from hard-line unionists (BelTel).
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On Saturday morning at about 6:30 local time, Hamas launched thousands of rockets against Israeli targets and then followed this up by breaking out of Gaza by land, air, and sea, and attacking two-dozen or more locations, killing about 700 (including 270 at a music festival near Re’im) and abducting about 100 people. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu declared, “We are at war” and retaliatory air-strikes against Gaza killed more than 400 people. (WP | BBC | France 24 | WaPo)
Gael Force Art took to Slıabh Dubh (Visual History) to place a large Palestinian flag on the mountain (seen in The United Nations and UN 194), and posted a statement in support of the Palestinians on Facebook.
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Graffiti on the shutter of Man About Town (barbers) in Upper Queen Street, Belfast.
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‘Let’s Talk Loyalism’ (Fb | Xitter) is an advocacy group established in May 2021 “to articulate loyalist perspectives” (News Letter). It produced a survey in September 2021 (Slugger) and is currently undertaking more research (BelTel). The tarp is hanging on the fence around the waste-ground at the top of Lanark Way, site of a #BuildShankill tarp.
See previously: No Vote, No Voice graffiti in Forthriver/Ballygomartin in 2014.
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This graffiti is on Kennedy Way, in CNR west Belfast, and so “Ireland” includes Northern Ireland.
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“Stand against the legacy legislation – state murder is murder! – bill of shame”
The UK parliament adopted the “Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023” on Septetmber 6th and it became law on the 18th, preventing future inquests and civil cases. Twenty challenges have been lodged against the bill and a hearing is due to begin on November 20th with a primary focus on whether or not the bill is compatible with the European Convention On Human Rights (ITv | BBC). In the meantime – prior to the May 1st, 2024 deadline — the Springhill-Westrock inquest continues on Monday (RFJ).
This mural showing Lady Justice gagged but with a raised fist, by Iliana Edwards (ig), is on a wall outside the offices of Relatives For Justice (web).
Update: February 28, 2024: The High Court has ruled against the Act (BBC).
See previously: a call to a rally in September.
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A new “fáılte” [“welcome”] mural was painted at the Roddy’s in anticipation of the official opening of the new republican heritage centre/ıonad oıdhreachta poblachtaí (web) which took place on September 28th. Construction of the museum and the adjacent restaurant began in May 2021 with an investment of 1.35 million pounds (Belfast Live). The museum’s exhibits cover republican history from 1798 to the present, and items on display from the Society’s collection include vintage uniforms and artefacts, historic maps and documents, and prison handicrafts.
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Seosamh Mac Coille Collection 