Protests will coincide with Bush visit to Ireland
The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) unveiled the Stop Bush Campaign and outlined plans for mass demonstrations in Dublin and at Dromoland Castle when the President visits from June 25-26.
Chairman Richard Boyd-Barrett was joined by Labour, Sinn Féin and Green party MEP candidates, Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance and the NGO Peace Alliance to urge people to take to the streets and protest against the occupation of Iraq.
They also appealed to the Government to stop the use of Shannon airport by US troops en route to Iraq.
Mr Boyd-Barrett said that what he called lies about weapons, the massacre of civilians and the latest obscene pictures showing Iraqi prisoners being tortured, confirmed the importance of expressing strong opposition to the war.
“We are calling on people from throughout Ireland and from all walks of life to come out and express their opposition to George Bush and to war,” he said.
“The situation is getting worse and both Tony Blair and Bush are on the rack politically. Protests can have a direct effect on their position so it’s vital to see everyone determined to take to the streets and march.”
He said Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was directly implicated in the war by welcoming Bush to Ireland and by the continued use of Shannon by US troops.
“There will be a massive campaign to mobilise people and get every single sector of Irish society to come out,” he said. “We want to remind people that those responsible for the massacre of thousands in Iraq travelled through Shannon on their way to commit those horrendous crimes.”
Labour MEP candidate Ivana Bacik said she was disturbed gardaí in Shannon had been calling at homes requesting personal information as a security measure. “Democratic protest is at the heart of civilised society. People should not be intimidated by over-zealous behaviour such as this. Peaceful protest is our right and we should exercise it during Bush’s visit.”
