The death of Bobby Sands made international headlines around the world and was quickly followed by protests in various cities against Margaret Thatcher and British interests, as this new, short film (below) shows. In America, New York State governor Hugh Carey and New York Congressman Mario Biaggi were critical of Margaret Thatcher’s government. Moscow’s Tass news agency and Pravda described Long Kesh as a concentration camp. In Europe, there were widespread protests. Five thousand Milanese students burned the Union Jack and shouted support for Irish freedom. The British Consulate at Ghent was picketed. Thousands marched in Paris, chanting pro-IRA slogans. (Subsequently, number of French towns and cities, including in Nantes, Saint-Étienne, Le Mans, Vierzon, and Saint-Denis, named streets after Bobby.) In the Portuguese Parliament, the opposition stood in silence to honour him. The International Longshoremen’s Association in New York announced a 24-hour boycott of British ships.
Select Page