Defend The Right To Protest

“Defend the right to protest”, specifically to protest the treatment of Palestinians in Gazan.

The UK government introduced legislation in 2023 to prevent and tackle protests that might cause “more than minor disruption” to the community (Reuters), in contravention, according to Amnesty International, of Article 11 of the Human Rights Act. The High Court ruled against the government in 2024 and its appeal was rejected by the Appeals Court in May, 2025 (Reuters). The latest (late July 2025) Crime And Policing policy paper can be found at gov.uk.

Specifically related to protests about Gaza, in June the group Palestine Action was declared a terrorist organisation by UK government, because of the group’s “criminal damage in support of a cause” – specifically, its attacks on the facilities of the RAF and various weapons’ manufacturers; the group’s initial appeal was heard in the High Court last week (BBC) and the judge yesterday (July 30th) ruled that the group could challenge the designation (Independent).

Shown above is a hand-painted cloth sign on the railings of the Waterworks in north Belfast.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Seasaımıd Le Kneecap

“We stand with Kneecap” – Kneecap yesterday announced a ten-date November tour of Scotland, Wales, and England, adding on to a jam-packed schedule of upcoming gigs that includes a string of European festivals and a tour of the United States. (The trio’s full schedule can be found at their web-site.) In between the France and Belgium dates, on August 20th, Lıam Óg Ó hAnnaıdh will make a different kind of appearance, in court, to face terrorism charges stemming from his display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig.

This tarp is on the Felons’ Club/Cumann Na Méırleach Poblachtach Éıreannach, replacing Seas Leıs An Phalaıstín. See also Seas Le Kneecap on the Falls Road.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Yes, Yes, BDS

The UNI Europa mural (Real Say, More Pay) from April is already gone, replaced by “Free Gaza” and a call for “boycott, divestment, sanctions”.

The Civil Rights board (No Apartheid) which was removed for the UNI mural has been re-mounted on the facing wall.

Donegall Street Place, Belfast city centre

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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The Magic Within

“The Shamrock supports Kneecap”. Kneecap member Mo Chara (Lıam Óg Ó hAnnaıdh) appeared in court (in London) last week to face charges of displaying a flag of a proscribed organisation (Hezbollah). He was released on bail and will return on August 20th. (BBC | AP) In the meantime, the group appeared in front of 10,000 fans on the West Holts stage at Glastonbury on Saturday (June 28th) despite criticism from UK prime minister Keir Starmer (BBC).

For the band’s other woes, see Seas Le Kneecap.

The Shamrock Sport & Social Club (Fb) in Ardoyne is running a promotion by which people who post their selfies in front of the new mural in supoprt of Kneecap on social media can claim a bottle of Le Grá lager (web).

The fist is familiar from the pro-Palestine mural in Beechmount and the burning PSNI land-rover is familiar from the first (of three) Kneecap murals in Hawthorn Street – see Incendiary Device.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Guerillero Heroico

Korda’s famous photograph of the 31-year-old Che Guevara was taken in Havana, Cuba, in 1960, and was turned into the ubiquitous two-tone poster by Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick in 1968. (For a more complete history of both the photo and the print, see the Visual History page on the influence of Jim Fitzpatrick.) This very faithful reproduction of Fitzpatrick’s Che is in Glen Road, Maghera.

“Marcella”, in the bottom right, might be the name of the artists; Bobby Sands used his sister’s name – “Marcella” – to sign the pieces that he wrote for newspapers outside Long Kesh.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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Mary Ann McCracken

“Mary Ann McCracken (1770-1866) Abolitionist, educator, social reformer and businesswoman. Sheas Mary Ann an fód ar son na mbocht, na mban, na bpáıstí agus ar son sıúd a bhí faoı dhaoırse. [Mary Ann stood up for the poor, women, children, and for those who were enslaved.]”

“Mary Ann McCracken’s feminist ideals and commitment to the principles of Equality, Liberty, Fraternity applying equally to the Rights of Woman defined her participation in the United Irish Movement.” For McCracken’s connection to the 1798 Rebellion, see These Are Times That Try Men’s Souls.

McCracken is shown handing out abolitionist leaflets that picture a pleading enslaved woman above the words “Am I not a woman and a sister?” The same supplicant image is on the medallion (perhaps made by Wedgwood for the Society For The Abolition Of The Slave Trade – WP) worn at her throat. See also: The Blots On The Page Are So Black and The World Affords No Enjoyment Equal To That Of Promoting The Happiness Of Others.

The statue was unveiled in the grounds of Belfast City hall together with a statue to Winifred Carney on International Women’s Day (March 8th) 2024; both statues were produced by Ralf and Naomi Sander (BCC).

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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2025 HTN – Kent Street

Here is a gallery of pieces from Kent Street, painted for 2025’s Hit The North street art festival (Seedhead Arts).

From top to bottom in appearance here, the works are by …

(North side of the street:)
Luck (ig) from Thailand (above and immediately below)
unknown
Karl Fenz (web)
My Dog Sighs (web)
Sanchai (ig) from Thailand
unknown
DanLeo (web)
unknown
(South side of the street:)
Mel Carroll (web)
Jacky Sheridan (web)
SillyMe (ig)
Glen Molloy (Fb)
Gabriela Joyce (web)
Alexandra (ig)
Danni Simpson (web)
FGB (web) + Katriona (web
Jam (ig)
Imogen Donegan (ig)
KVLR (web)
Lost Lines (ig)
JMK
(Above Union St:)
David McMIllan (web)
unknown
Holly Pereira (web)
Hicks (ig)

south side:

May 5th, vandalised after completion:

May 6th, re-finished:

May 5th, vandalised after completion:

May 6th, re-finished:

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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HTN 2025 – Union Street

Here is a gallery of pieces from Union Street, painted for 2025’s Hit The North street art festival (Seedhead Arts). From left to right (top to bottom in this entry), the works are by:

FESA (ig) from Munch
SNAK (ig)
Ona Salvador (web)
ADW (ig)
Molly Hankinson (web)
Kerrie Hanna (web)
(below Kent St)
Shane Ha (web)
Kayde (web)
Alana McDowell (ig)
Niall OL (ig)
NRMN (ig)
Keyto (ig)
Codo (ig)
Leo Boyd (web)
Conor McClure (ig)
KAYOS (ig)
JunkGraff (ig) + Sinead Crumlish (ig)
and, on the other side of the street, Sky High (ig)

May 1st:

work-in-progress May 3rd:

May 4th:

May 3rd:

Below Kent St:

May 1st:

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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below:
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Seas Le Kneecap

Kneecap performed their Coachella sets in front of a large screen onto which messages were projected, including denunciation of the Israeli “genocide” of Palestinians “enabled” by the US (Rolling Stone). 

Many cancelled gigs followed, as well as a call from Sharon Osbourne that the band’s work visas be revoked (BBC). In response, Kneecap insisted that their speech was not an incitement to violence (BBC).

The band’s visas might also be in jeopardy because the band has parted ways with booking agents IAG, which sponsored the band’s US tour (Hollywood Reporter). 

Further, scrutiny of past performances revealed pro-Hamas and -Hizbollah chants, which have now led to an investigation by the UK’s anti-terror police (NME). The band also apologized for a 2023 remark that “the only good Tory [Conservative MP] is a dead Tory” (BBC).

Many artists and bands have come out in support of Kneecap – about 40 put their names to a statement posted to instagram. The band also has the support of the graffitist in the image above: “Free Palestine – silence = complicity. Seas le Kneecap [stand with Kneecap]”.

See also: I Stand With Kneecap by JMK for Hit The North.

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Copyright © 2025 Paddy Duffy
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