Reclaim the Streets gave breathing space

AS someone who took part in last Monday’s Reclaim The Streets (RTS) street party in Dublin I wish to congratulate everyone involved for making it such a happy, fun, party day to highlight a very serious cause — that our streets and open spaces, not just in Dublin but in other cities and towns across the country, are being taken over

The party was also very appropriate in the context of the CIÉ workers endorsing strike action in ballots against Transport Minister Seamus Brennan's scheme to downgrade the role of public transport by starting the privatisation of CIÉ in Dublin Bus, rather than doing what he should be doing investing in public transport and getting more people out of their cars.

I would also like to clear up one serious misrepresentation that was stated in various media, namely that we blocked off Amiens Street to all traffic. We only blocked it off to private cars and we specifically cleared the bus lanes to allow the buses through but gardaí wouldn't allow the buses to move for about 20 minutes.

Also, it was great to see so many young people taking part because they want a better society and they are prepared to fight for it.

Empowerment to the people!!!

Paul Kinsella,

53 Lorcan Grove,

Santry,

Dublin 9.