But we must also seck to win British workers to the defence of those militants in Ireland who are also fighting our common enemy therepressive machine of the state. We have been told time and again by politicians and by the capitalist flunkeys of the press that the Industrial Relations Act and the NIRC are 'impartial". that they are there to "keep the peace' and reCage 4 and both detainees and visitors have to remove footwear for official visits.
The repressive conditions, the use of batons and the consistent attempt by Camp Governor Truesdale to intimidate the men has evoked a protest from visiting tutors. Thirty teachers who voluntarily visit the camp twice a week to hold classes have issued a statement saying that the policies presently being pursued there by the Whitelaw regime offend against basic humanitanan principles and could well result in a confrontation situation.
WOMEN At the women's prison in Armagh conditions are equally deplorable, as the following letter sent to Red Weekly confirms.
We the women political prisoners of Armagh would like to make it known to the public about the crampod conditions in which we have to survive. In the wing these ate 25 women and there are inadequate facilities to accommodate them all The bathroom consists of two haths, heo toilets, and four small wash hand in the one that has existed since the prison was built. The railing round the cal wall serves as a substitute Fod a clethes line thus making the wing even more cramped.
Ahò with so many women in the wind it is ncocssary to have a sick bay because in the case of an illness peace and quiet is needed. In the recreation yard there is a hut which is supposed to be a TV room but it is ased for crafts, games, discussions and a rest room. Time and time again we have been promised netball posts and other games equipment but as yet we have moeived none of these We must point out that this is a women's prison but: We must fight to convince them of the truth: the British Army is neither neutral nor impartial; it is not there to "keep the peace nor to 'Stop the paddies murdering one another'; it is a brutal instrument for the repression of the Jegitimate national aspirations of the Irish people, and for the defence of British imperialism. Working class militants who are fighting for the interests of their own class here in Long Kesh concentration camp or, as it is apposed to be known, the Maze Prison.
yet we occupy only one small wing of the building There is i gym and a huge recreation yard over in A wine bat thew cities are cased to us as they ane used by Barstal offenders. We know our needs are small in comparison with our comrades in Long Kesh but there must be coom for improvement when we have women serving sentences from five to twelve Liberty and Strength, The women political prisoners of Armagh Gaol But at the same time as working for effective united actions against repression, and working to win British workers to take up the demand for withdrawing the troops, revolutionaries must also work to deepen the understanding of the situation in Ireland and the nature of imperialism among the most politically aware STOP IT!
This savage campaign against the prisoners must be stopped. Trade unionists and members of the labour movement should write to the Home Office protesting at the actions of Truesdale, the soldiers and the prison guards, As a gesture of solidarity Student Unions should consider nominating prominent Republican prisoners" for official posts inside the Union. Presents of protestant working class by shifting the worst aspects of capitalist exploitation onto the backs of the catholic minority. It remains essential that we keep up our full support for the national struggle in Ireiand and continue to put forward the demand for solidarity with the IRA.
Gus Fagan books, food parceis and tobacco should be sent to:
Cumann Cabrach, 2A Lower Kerin Street Dublin, Ireland. — Provisional Support Organisation for Prisoners in Ireland.
Saoirse, 32 Gardiner Place, Dublin, Ireland. -Officials Support Organisation for Prisoners in