Cork hunger striker's grandson joins 24-hour fast for Palestine
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Inspired by his grandfather, who joined a mass hunger strike more than a century ago during Ireland’s struggle for independence, Colum Radford will join a global symbolic 24-hour fast for Palestine on Wednesday.
His grandfather, Lar Cotter, was one of 11 men — including Liam Lynch and then lord mayor Terence MacSwiney — who were arrested by the British in Cork City Hall in August 1920.
All but MacSwiney were released. The detention of the lord mayor, and up to 60 more Republican prisoners in Cork Prison, many without trial, sparked a mass hunger strike in Cork. Mr Cotter was among those to refuse food.
Two men, Michael Fitzgerald and Joseph Murphy, died on hunger strike in Cork.
MacSwiney died in Brixton Prison in October 1920 after 74 days without food. His death made headlines around the world and focused global attention on the fight for independence.
Nine others continued refusing food in Cork Prison for a record 94 days until the protest was called off on November 12, 1920, on the orders of Arthur Griffith. Nine men survived.
Mr Radford now plans to draw on his family history as he joins with nine others in the solidarity fast for Palestine from 10pm on Wednesday outside Cork City Hall, which will fly the Palestinian flag and which will be illuminated by the Palestinian colours to mark International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
“At present, there is a grave injustice being inflicted on the people of Palestine by another colonial oppressor,” said Mr Radford.
“We stand with the Palestinian people in their hour of need, drawing on inspiration from our own Irish martyrs who died for Irish freedom.”
Eve O’Riordan, whose great-grandfather, Joseph Kenny, was among the nine who survived the 1920 hunger strike, will also take part in the fast.
“In Ireland, we have, through generations, seen our fellow men and women stand against injustice and rise up against repression,” said Ms O’Riordan.
“This history should only empower us to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in solidarity.
“My great-grandfather was one of those men.”
Comedian and author Tadhg Hickey, whose online videos depicting as hypocrisy the response to the Palestinians’ plight have been viewed by millions worldwide, will also take part.
He said a Palestinian friend told him that when Palestinians accept only water and salt in Israeli prisons, they call it an ‘Irish hunger strike’. Mr Hickey said:
The symbolic 24-hour fast, arranged in response to a call from Palestinians in Hebron for a global fast on the UN-organised day of solidarity with Palestine, starts at midnight on Wednesday.
Participants will consume only water and salt.
Others taking part in the Cork fast include members of Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Sinn Féin, and People Before Profit, including councillors Kenneth Collins and Mick Nugent, Fadila Alubeidi, Joe Moore, Christina Collins, Paddy Rodgers, and Saoirse Ní Fhlannagáin.