Irish Anti-War update

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday September 16, 2002 18:54 by Aoife Ni Fhearghail - Irish Anti-War Movement info at irishantiwar dot org Inchicore 087 7955013

report on Denis Halliday meeting and list of upcoming events

ANTI-WAR NEWS

Monday 16th September 2002

REPORT FROM DENIS HALLIDAY RALLY

ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION 28 SEPTEMBER

UPCOMING ANTI-WAR EVENTS

Report from Friday’s rally

Over 200 people turned up to Friday night’s rally to hear Denis Halliday & speakers from Voices in the Wilderness, US Citizens in Ireland for Alternatives to War, the Green Party and the Socialist Workers Party discuss the upcoming war in Iraq and what we can do to build the anti-war movement in Ireland. Tourists from the US took part in the general discussion expressing their delight to see anti-war activists organising in Ireland. We agreed to build September 28th as a major anti-war demonstration and to set up local anti-war groups around the country and in the colleges. Local groups were set up in Rathmines, Dublin city centre, Dublin South West, Dublin North, Dun Laoghaire and Bray/Wicklow.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes the US and Britain are still seeking backing from the UN Security Council for a war on Iraq. Already, they have secured agreement from Saudi Arabia for the use of air bases - so long as Washington acts under UN auspices – and maneuverings continues within the Security Council.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, President Bush said that the US will seek to impose on Iraq a tight deadline of "days and weeks" rather than "months or years" to comply with the new resolution. Next week, Britain is expected to submit a fresh Security Council Resolution calling on Baghdad to either allow UN weapons inspectors unconditional access within weeks or face military action. France and Russia have already indicated their support for such a resolution. China, the other permanent member of the Security Council, is likely to oppose the resolution, but unlikely to use its power of veto against it. Nine of the 10 temporary members are also expected to support the resolution, with only Syria to vote against it. Brian Cowen has shown his support for this position by saying that if Iraq continues to defy the UN then “the Security Council must face its responsibilities”.

If there are only days and weeks before war on Iraq, then we must use the run-up to the September 28th demo to put pressure on the Irish government not to give its support to Bush and Blair. Get on to community groups, workmates, family and friends now and make sure that thousands take to the streets on September 28th.

DON’T ATTACK IRAQ – NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION – SEPTEMBER 28th – 3pm – GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE, DUBLIN

Already buses are coming from all over the country. We need mass postering and leafleting to ensure the largest turnout possible. Make sure you contact community groups in your area. In Dublin volunteers will be postering this Wednesday evening and Saturday morning (meet at the front gates of Trinity at 11am). If you can help out contact Aoife on 087 7955013 or email back.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Palestine is Still the issue: John Pilger documentary - Tonight (Monday 16th) 11pm ITV - For the second time, John Pilger has made a film entitled Palestine is Still the Issue. It is hard-hitting and brilliant - the perfect antidote to the nonsense you usually get in the mainstream media. Tape it and show it to your friends, at college or at work.
Cork Peace Alliance Meeting - Tuesday 17th September 8.45pm - CAZ, Knapp St, Cork

“Vietnam: the war the US lost” - discussion this Wednesday at 8pm downstairs in O’Connell’s Bar, Portobello - hosted by Rathmines SWP

Palestinian Awareness Week - Nine days of film, discussion, workshops & events about contemporary life in Palestine hosted by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Events include: Eye-witness reports from International Solidarity Movement volunteers Colm Breathnach & Salah Afifi; Media debate on “Disputed Territories – Media Myth & Realities” with Dr Nazih Eldin (Independent Palestinian Commentator), Niall Strange – Editor of Magill Magazine, Philip Boucher-Hayes – RTE & Michael McCaughran – freelance journalist; Film showings of “Tale of the Three Jewels” and “Frontiers of Dreams and Fears”. Programme available here. For information contact the IPSC at 01 6770253 or supportpalestine@ireland.com

“Not in our Name” – film show – Smyth’s Pub, Fairview – Saturday 21st 3pm – hosted by swp

Irish to ESF meeting with Luciano Mulhbauer from COBAS - The Irish mobilising committee for the European Social Forum are hosting a meeting on Friday 27th September, at 7.30 in the Central Hotel, Exchequer St, Dublin 2. The meeting will be addressed by Luciano Mulhbauer from the Italian Social Forum and the independent trade union COBAS and by Colm O'Cuanachain, the co-ordinator of Comhlamh – Development Workers in Global Solidarity.

Launch of ‘Defending Peace: Ireland’s Role in a Changing Europe’ by John Maguire - Tuesday September 17th - In The James Joyce Room, Bewleys Café, Grafton Street – 6-8pm – hosted by AfrI

Derry Anti-War March - October 4th - contact Colm - 04871 286278