Greens Urge Large, Dignified Attendance at Demo

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday March 28, 2003 15:18 by Graham Caswell - Green Party caswell at indigo dot ie

Press Release

Saturday 29th March 3.00pm Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

Green Party Leader, Trevor Sargent TD, who will be speaking at the 'National Demonstration Against the War on Iraq' which takes place at 3.00pm, Saturday 29th March, has urged all those attending to highlight "the criminal role of the Government in supporting this murderous and illegal war by ensuring the demonstration is both peaceful and dignified".

"Let us be clear. This war has no UN mandate. It is illegal. There are not even clear reasons being given for fighting it. Is it to get rid of weapons of mass destruction? Or is it 'regime change' (which flies in the face of the UN Charter)? Is it to liberate the Iraqi people? The one reason not being given by the invading Anglo/American forces is Oil, the reason most commentators believe this war is being fought. The so-called War on Terrorism is now terrorising, killing and starving defenceless civilians. This is murder. This will only breed
more terror."

"The Irish Government is collaborating in illegal murderous acts by allowing overflights and the use of Shannon for refuelling. Fianna Fáil and PD TDs have displayed enormous cowardice, particularly those who publicly stated their reservations about Irish Government involvement and the use of Shannon. I am convinced that, had Bertie Ahern allowed his deputies a free vote last week, the Government motion could have been defeated."

Mr. Sargent urged all those who could not attend the march not to be disheartened but to lend their voice to the anti- war movement by actively campaigning for the donation of monies for humanitarian aid for the Iraqi people.