Lawyers and clergy call for peaceful protest against Bush visit
Church of Ireland Dean Robert McCarthy of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, said it was important to protest against Mr Bush's policies.
Ireland cannot claim to be neutral if the US military continue to use Shannon Airport, he said.
Brendan Butler of the NGO Peace Alliance said planned demonstrations in Dublin and at Dromoland Castle were not anti-American and would be peaceful.
In a statement, the lawyers including 16 senior council and 114 barristers strongly criticised what they term Mr Bush's "illegal war policies".
The lawyers sharply criticised the Government and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for giving practical assistance to Mr Bush's war effort.
In helping to execute Mr Bush's war policy through the use of Shannon Airport, the Government was "clearly assisting an illegal war", they said.
Spokesman Giollaiosa Ó Lideadha claimed Mr Bush was "extremely dangerous" and a serious threat to the economic and security interests of the US, Ireland and the world.
The lawyers urged Irish people to demonstrate their deep and abiding friendship with the American people, but their equally deep repudiation of the US president's war policies.
Claiming Mr Bush's visit was to assist in his re-election, the group said this would be a disaster for the US and for the international community.
Because Mr Bush had chosen to use Ireland as an election prop, there was a need to demonstrate clear opposition to his policies.
Recent abuse of Iraqi prisoners was consistent with the rejection of the rule of law by Mr Bush in directing the invasion of Iraq and causing an increased risk of terrorism.
One of the signatories, Brendan Nix SC, said he found the thought of that Mr Bush using Ireland to get re-elected "very disturbing".
The lawyers' statement is to be sent to people in the US expected to be receptive, including professional bodies and those who "hold Ireland in affection".
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
