WATCH: Derry weekend of activism for hunger striking prisoners in Britain.

A weekend of activism has taken palace in Derry to highlight the plight of eight remand prisoners currently on hunger strike in Britain.

‘Collectively known as ‘Prisoners for Palestine', Quesser Zuhrah, Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, Amu Gib, Kumran Ahmed, Jon Clink, Umer Khalid and Lewie Chiaramello are being held in five different prisons. They are waiting to go on trial for alleged offences relating to Palestine Action.

On Friday evening Derry Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DPSC) held an emergency rally at Free Derry Corner in support of the hunger strikers. 

IN PICTURES: Derry rally in support of the prisoners for Palestine hunger strikers held in British jail

The Derry Palestine Solidarity Campaign organised the event at Free Derry Corner

Emergency hunger striking prisoners rally organised by Derry Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Rally will take place on Friday, December 19, at 6.30pm, at Free Derry Wall

The ‘Prisoners for Palestine’ are accused of destroying what DPSC described as “the tools and weapons used to massacre the Palestinian people, for which the stage has subjected them to ‘internment by remand’”. Some have been in prison for more than 18 months and their trials are not due to start for another year. 

Four of the group are accused of playing roles in the break-in to an Israeli-linked defence firm in 2024. The other four are accused of breaking into RAF Brize Norton in Britain in June, where it is alleged they caused millions of pounds worth of damage to two military jets. 

Before the rally, the family of Derry hunger striker Patsy O’Hara who died on the 1981 Hunger Strike in Long Kesh, called on the British Government to negotiate with the protestors “to end the fast”. 

O'Hara family urge British government to negotiate with Palestine hunger strikers

INLA man Patsy O'Hara died on hunger strike in 1981 in Long Kesh

On Sunday afternoon, Rise for Palestine held a white line picket down Shipquay Street in support of the ‘Prisoners for Palestine’.

Speaking to The Derry News following the protest, Catherine Hutton, chairperson of Rise for Palestine said: “Derry sends its solidarity and love to the Hunger Strikers for Palestine, some of whom have reached the 50th day of refusing food.

“We are no strangers to the struggle for justice against a government who is denying these prisoners of conscience their basic right to bail,” she added.

“They have not been convicted of any crime.They have been denied proper medical care and subjected to inhumane treatment.

'Horrendous' treatment of hunger striking 'Prisoners for Palestine' condemned by Cllr Shaun Harkin

'Four of the political prisoners for Palestine have been on hunger strike for more than 40 days and their situation is critical'

“The campaign to shut Elbit down and stop arming Israel is a moral obligation to prevent genocide.

“As Irish people, we stand shoulder to shoulder with out English comrades in their righteous actions campaign against the complicity of the UK Government in the genocide in Gaza and to shut down arms companies enabling Israel to amssacre Palestinians on an industrial scale,” said Ms Hutton.

Serious concerns expressed for prisoners on hunger strike

'These prisoners are protesting their prolonged pre-trial detention, with some having been held for over a year without trial' - Cllr Pat Murphy

Critical of the turnout at Sunday’s picket, Ms Hutton added: “There should be far more people out protesting what’s happening to the hunger strikers. It is shameful, given the history here, that there isn’t more public outrage.

“The lack of unity of purpose is a big factor in this. People are put off by factionalism.”