NEWS FROM SAOIRSE (freedom). The Voice of the Irish Republican Movement. Republican Sinn Féin http://rsf.ie 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 229 Falls Road, Belfast

HARASSMENT of Republican Sinn Féin members and supporters is ongoing in Derry City. During another white-line picket for political status those involved were once again closely monitored by the RUC, who were parked in a Land Rover in very close proximity to the protest for over 45 minutes.

At this stage they approached those involved and once again sought their personal details, after which they remained for several minutes keeping a watchful eye on events whilst another Land Rover drove past.  A Brit army helicopter was also flying overhead and an individual on the City Walls was seen filming the protest. It would seem that there has been a significant increase in Occupation Forces activity in the Derry area, with a noticeable increase in Brit foot-patrols etc.

In a separate incident several weeks earlier a 26-year old man was arrested whilst purchasing two copies of SAOIRSE.  A Crown Forces Land Rover sped over, stopping just inches from where he was standing.  Several RUC officers jumped out and grabbed him by his throat, dragging him into the vehicle.

Once in the Land Rover he was held down until they had arrived at the Strand Road barracks.  One of the Crown Forces personnel asked him, “Do you want to hit me now because we're going to f**king kill you?”  They also claimed that they would record any struggle on video.  Around twenty colonial policemen were lined up along the steps as the man was brought through the barracks.  He was kept in a cell for a couple of hours during which time another member of the re-styled RUC threatened him, telling him that he was an ex-para.  The man was later released without charge, and two of his friends lodged a complaint.  He sustained several cuts and bruises on the back of his right shoulder.

This harassment is not only coming from the Crown Forces, however, but also from the Provisionals.  Whilst selling SAOIRSE sellers were refused entry to a certain city centre premises, after the owner accused Republican Sinn Féin of causing trouble (presumably for the Provos) everywhere they went.  They were also informed that “the people who come to this bar are all firm supporters of the Provisional IRA”.

However it should be noted that when tickets for the National Draw were being sold in the same public house earlier in the month (having sought the owner's permission), several books of tickets had already been sold in the short period of time before themanagement pulled the person responsible aside and ejected him from the premises.  It would seem that they had only just realised that the tickets were in aid of Republican Sinn Féin and not the Provo party.

The owner followed the ticket-seller along the road and grabbed the tickets, claiming that they were out of date despite the fact that the draw date was clearly publicised on the tickets.  Everyone who had purchased tickets had already been informed that the first prize was for the 2003 All-Ireland finals. All tickets were recovered and no money was taken.  But this is yet more evidence, if indeed any was needed, that the Provos are troubled by the continued existence of Republican Sinn Féin.

Local 'hoods' again assaulted a young man selling SAOIRSE - this being the second such incident in the past four months alone.  A youth struck him in the head several times, later coming up from behind him and punching him several more times.  He then pushed the man to the ground and kicked him repeatedly.  True to form the RUC drove past without intervening or offering the victim any assistance, and it was left to several youths in the area to help him.

The Republican Sinn Féin member was forced to pay his own way to the hospital, and was waiting on a taxi for about 40 minutes.  He spent nearly five hours in Casualty, where x-rays showed nothing to be broken. After this he had to walk on his own and in the rain approximately six and a half miles home, blood still dripping from his face, and passing through several predominantly loyalist areas.

Despite all of this harassment the Republican voice will not be silenced, and SAOIRSE continues to be sold every month.  Protests are also ongoing, details of which can be found in the Imeachtaí section of SAOIRSE. Organisers are requesting as much support for these events as possible.

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SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom, 223 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, Ireland
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Web layout by SAOIRSE -- Irish Freedom November 9, 2002  Send links, events notifications, articles, comments etc, to the editor at: saoirse@iol.ie.