Stand Up and Be Counted Against the War

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday March 20, 2003 14:33 by Alisa Keane - Global Solidarity Project, ICTU alisa.keane at ictuni dot org ICTU, 3 Crescent Gardens, Belfast BT7 INS 028 9024 7940

March and Rally

Day X Silent Vigils 1.pm tomorrow 21 March in Belfast and City/Town Centres through out Northern Ireland Saturday 22 March - Assemble 2pm Art College, York Street - Rally 3pm Belfast City Hall

Silent Protest to Send Loud Message: Stop the War

Silent protests are to be held in Belfast and in other towns and cities across Northern Ireland on Day X tomorrow (Friday) to demonstrate opposition to the war on Iraq.

The Stop the War Coalition is staging the peace vigils at Belfast City Hall and in other city and town centres across Northern Ireland. These peace vigils are part of international action taking place across the island of Ireland and throughout Europe. These actions are also being supported by the European Trade Union Confederation

Peter Bunting, Assistant General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), which is co-ordinating the Stop the War Coalition, states:

"We are now engaged in an unnecessary and devastating war that is endangering millions of people. It is utterly wrong and we must oppose it ? we can do no other. We oppose this war while supporting the troops and hold our political leaders - in particular Tony Blair-accountable for recklessly putting so many lives at risk.

People can simply and powerfully show their opposition by taking part in these silent protests in Belfast and town centres across Northern Ireland at 1pm Friday- Day X. We urge people to use their lunch breaks to stand up for peace."

The protests are being co-ordinated by local trades councils, with the support of many other organisations and individuals.

The silent vigils will be followed by a massive demonstration this Saturday 22nd March. Marchers will gather at Belfast's Art College from 2pm, before marching to the front of Belfast City Hall where a rally will be staged from 3pm.

The Stop the War Coalition (NI) is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Committee of the ICTU. The Coalition has the support of a wide and growing range of individuals, organisations and trade unions.