Press Release- Are the Gardai and government using May Day hype to bring in an armed police force?

national | summit mobilisations | press release

Tuesday April 20, 2004 14:36

by anothereuropeispossible - anothereuropeispossible

anothereuropeispossible at yahoo dot co dot uk

Are the Gardai and government using May Day hype to bring in an armed police force? The claim that 1

Press Release- Are the Gardai and government using May Day hype to bring in an armed police force? The claim that 1000s of G8 Summit Genoa protesters will be in Ireland on May Day is untrue.

Another Europe is Possible the alliance which is organising a march and carnival in Dublin starting at 12 noon at the Central Bank, Dame St on May Day refutes the claim made by the Garda Representative Authority (GRA) that violent protesters responsible for anti-globalisation riots at a G8 Summit in Genoa, Italy 2001 are planning to come to Ireland for May Day. Activists involved in Another Europe is Possible were at those protests in Genoa and are in contact with the Italian movement and the reality is that no one is coming from the Genoa protests to Ireland for May 1st.

Rory Hearne, convenor of the May Day march and Carnival said “the call by Mr P J Stone from the GRA for front line Gardai to be armed on May Day is completely irresponsible and inflammatory. The reality is that all protests planned for May Day are peaceful. This talk of riots and police being injured is unnecessary and is being hyped up out of all context and perspective. We really have to begin to question the motives for all this. Are these the first steps towards an armed police force and a police state?

We have extensive contacts with European anti-capitalists and the claim by the Gardai that up to 15,000 demonstrators are coming from outside Ireland is just not true. We will be marching at 12 noon on May 1st to oppose war and corporate greed and holding a carnival at the Phoenix park entrance to celebrate mulitculturalism. Susan George a renowned activist in the World Social Forums will be speaking. We are asking the question- does this protest sound like the ingredients for a riot?

Another Europe is Possible is organising a CARNIVAL FOR A BETTER WORLD- Speakers (including Susan George and others), street theatre & music starting 12 noon Dame Street May 1st. Carnival of Diversity begins at Phoenix Park- Irish and World Music, Kingsativa, Soukous Allstars, Afrikico, Gospel Choir, Jinx Lennon, Happy City Samba School, Subtitles & many more....plus very special guest!

Another Europe is Possible is a broad alliance that involves Mick O Reilly (ATGWU), Patricia McKenna (Green Party MEP), Pat Cahill (ASTI), Barry Nevin (SIPTU Aviation Branch), Irish Anti-War Movement, Residents against Racism, NGO Peace Alliance, Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Campaign against the Bin Tax, Community Workers, Sinn Féin, Socialist Workers Party, Workers Party, Socialist Party