Anti War movement in Ireland steps up a gear
dublin |
anti-war / imperialism |
feature 
Thursday April 03, 2003 17:19
by IMC Editorial Group - IMC Ireland
The IAWM Dail blockade last night was the occasion for the
first direct confrontation between protestors and
Gardai in the capital since the start of the second Gulf War. The
Public Order Unit moved in in an attempt to disperse the
crowd.
Using non violent resistance, some protestors blockaded the front entrance to
Dail Eireann
in protest at our government's involvement in the war on Iraq. Ugly scenes at the demo included the
hospitalisation of two protestors.
The protest finished when the Public Order Unit retreated, after negotiations with IAWM leaders and left-wing TDs.
Fr Iggy Donovan,
a long-standing peace activist, condemned the
protestors' behaviour
on RTE Radio 1, while the Minister for Justice defended the police tactics. Images
of Socialist TD Joe Higgins being manhandled by Gardaí were
transmitted on RTE.
Meanwhile former Army Commander Edward Horgan today started his
high court appeal
against the government's continued policy of allowing the US military to use Irish
facilities. The challenge argues that this policy is a breach of the Irish constitution, and is being followed closely by
mainstream media.
Video from the Protest
1,
2,
3 /
Audio 1 /
Pictures 1,
2