Republicans Gather For National Hunger Strike Commemoration

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - AUGUST 24: Men dressed in blankets raise their fists as the Hunger Strikers commemoration event takes place on August 24, 2025 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ten Republican prisoners died during the 1981 Northern Ireland hunger strike, which aimed to regain political prisoner status. The hunger strike lasted for several months and was a key event in "the Troubles". The deaths garnered international attention and led to increased support for the Republican movement and Sinn Fein. Speaking at the event Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald made a fresh call for preparations for an Irish unity referendum to start immediately. The Sinn Féin president said momentum for a united Ireland was growing and challenged whoever becomes Irish president this autumn to be a leader for reunification. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)