RTS misrepresentation and SWP bandwagon jumping
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news report 
Tuesday May 07, 2002 18:23
by Charlie Braun
charliecwc at yahoo dot com
RTS RTE coverage commentary.
Just seen the RTE report: (6 O'Clock News). The entire day was misrepresented, there was almost no mention of what had happened all day, instead it suggested that the "march" first started blocking the road on Dame street. That was to be expected but...
Anti-Globilisation? Now, I don't doubt for a second that killing Globilisation is high on the agenda of most of those who participated in RTS and all of those who organised it, but it's hardly the focus of an event like Reclaim The Streets. RTS is more about the reclamation of once public spaces that are increasingly privitised in the modern western world, and which international capitalism and globilisation are a prime cause of this, the entire event was never meant to be anything like the "anti-globilisation protest" that RTE has represented it as.
AND who held a press conferance for RTE today, implying that they were the ones behind the whole thing? SWP.
I don't think that the media coverage of what happened yesterday is a bad thing; indeed, more people need to know how brutal, senseless and unintelligent our so-called "keepers of the peace" are, but I, for one, would have far preferred if everyone could have heard about how wonderful the diversity of the street party was.
For more info on the politics of the RTS movement, plus more than enough info for any of you to organise a similar event, go to the RTS London site listed below.
Comments (9 of 9)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9That Irish protest movements are headquartered in London shows the neo-colonial nature of Ireland. Perhaps a more suitable focus of protest would be this subordinate status, and those who promote it-including RTS?
Can one imagine an English protest movement being headquartered in Dublin?
Maybe the Gardai are just defending Irish autonomy?
If RTS had provided a talking head then they would have been top of the news. I know a few swimmers were at that press conference particularly Joe C but surely he is allowed to talk to the meeja if he wants to.
I think the report will be remembered for the ignorant and thuggish behaviour of that cop. I think the guy from INDY media was good. Any group who hold an impromtu press conference like that and claim responsibility should have to be accountable.
Those comments about "Irish protest movements headquartered in London" show nothing but your ignorance, I'm afraid. The fact stands that RTS first happened in London, and since then autonomous groups have held street parties in cities throughout the world. It just so happens that the best, clearest and most comprehensive RTS website is the original one. What's wrong with that?
SWP seem to be in a unique position where they can claim status as a proper, legitimate political party when it suits them and as a radical and militant faction of freedom fighters at the same time. I doubt very much that any RTS representatives would have been keen on speaking to the media, seeing as how many of the activities they had to carry out on the day were wholly illegal, and, in light of the bad press the pigs have received today, I'm sure they're more than keen to infultrate active, successful direct action/dissent groups such as RTS so they can keep the head-bashing off camera.
Oh yeah and I heard the INDY media (hah!) guy (Aiden?) on Joe Duffy today as well as the news was good; I certainly thought he gave the best representation to the mainstream press out of everyone.
Although didn't he have a drastically different haircut yesterday?
Any misrepresentation of the event is, unfortunately, to be expected.
I joined in the rally at three different points, and occasionaly, just to see what the answer would be, asked somebody near the front as to the nature of the event.
The reasons I was given by 3 different protesters were:
"I don't know"
"It's a party"
and "Fuck the cops, man".
While I'm aware of the political agenda of RTS, most people aren't. And there was no obvious way of finding out that I saw.
I've spent most of today explaining what RTS is to people I know who saw the march pass them by last night.
I don't mean to undermine the event at all. I think it was absolutely fantastic (up until a certain point), but maybe next time, the purpose should be more clearly highlighted. Or it just looks like a bunch of kids having a party. Which isn't a bad thing, but it doesn't convey any message.
Any protest is bound to be called "anti globalisation". I know that it isn't right but it isn't something we should be worried about (strictly speaking, "anti globalisation" is a bullshit term in that we are not anti globalisation, just anti corporate globalisation, we are infact amongst the most pro (ethical) globalisation sector of society). Someone wrote earlier that we shouldn't talk to RTE because they are the "mouthpiece of the state". That statement is so misinformed and ignorant that it borders on offensive.
As regards the SWP bandwagon jumping, surely we expect it at this stage. The SWP are a pathetic group but we have to accept that they will claim credit for everything. They are generally the ones who start the trouble and then run screaming police burtality. Wankers.
what the address to complain to the gardai?
or phone number or email addy or whatever
allright I was arrested on this street on mon.any one who took a photo/video of the street at around 6pm please contact me,furthermore any one who saw me being arrested or being struck by an unmarked cop just past the millenium bridge please contact me, I was wearing grey baggy cords ,blue hoddy with arabic writing on it ,short fair hair,also my bike was taken off me and fecked in the cop transit van.
Also while in custody I witnessed 3 cops battering a detainee in the hall by the cells in pearse st. I got a good look for about 40 seconds but then one of the officers blocked the view from my cell, I heard the cops shouting "are you still resisting" if that is any use to identify you. cheers.
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