Turkish and Kurdish martyrs

[m-14970@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Hugh Rodwell)]

I think Robert M misjudges both the impact of the hunger-strikes, and the
numbers of fighters ready to put their lives on the line in Turkey and
Kurdistan. A lot of people are ready to do it, both passively, in a sense,
as in a hunger-strike, and actively in armed struggle.

In one way what Bob says is obvious -- a living fighter with a gun in his
hand is more use than a dead one. But when you are rotting in jail, you are
not a living fighter with a gun in your hand, and wars are fought *now*.

Civil wars also involve a huge battle for popular support.

Even if most people (in other words, the masses) are not ready for
immediate revolutionary socialist mobilization, and this is obviously the
case in Turkey, they are often receptive to and influenced by acts of
personal heroism. This is what happened in Ireland, as has been mentioned,
with Bobby Sands and his comrades. It's happening today throughout Turkey.

Don't forget that one of the triggers of the Russian revolution of 1905 was
the mowing down by Tsarist troops of the peaceful demonstration to petition
the Tsar led by the priest Gapon. In Gapon's words, Bloody Sunday, 9
January 1905, 'divided the Tsar from the people by a river of blood'. This
slaughter of the innocents brought the anger of the proletariat, already
rising with the great mobilizations and strike waves, to the point of
eruption.

So don't underestimate the contribution made by the self-sacrifice of the
comrades on hunger-strike.

And don't forget that for every hunger-striker there are dozens of people
working outside agitating for the demands of the strikers and fighting to
keep the comrades alive to be able to fight the better as a result of the
improved conditions or releases that can be won.

The brave death of a comrade in a good cause is both tragic and inspiring.
This is something the mercenary armies of the imperialists can never
emulate however much they try.

As an example, the world still celebrates the Irish fighter Kevin Barry in
a song with a verse that goes:

        Shoot me like an Irish soldier,
        Do not hang me like a dog,
        For I fought for Ireland's freedom
        On that bright September morn,
        All around the narrow sidestreets,
        Where we fought them hand to hand.
        Shoot me like an Irish soldier,
        For I fought to free Ireland.


Cheers,

Hugh




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