Sinn Féin calls on protesters to send a powerful anti-war message to US and Irish Governments

national | anti-war / imperialism | press release Thursday June 24, 2004 16:18 by Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin spokesperson on International Affairs, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD, called on people to come out in large numbers to protest against the US Governments brutal occupation of Iraq. The people of Ireland need to send a "powerful message" of opposition to the current policies of the US administration in relation to Iraq, he said. Deputy Ó Snodaigh was speaking a press conference organized by the 'Stop Bush Campaign' in advance of protests to mark the visit to Ireland by the US President this weekend.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, "Sinn Féin has given its support to the 'Stop Bush Campaign' as a legitimate movement to oppose the policies of George Bush and his administration concerning the continued occupation of Iraq.

"We will be encouraging our activists and supporters the length and breadth of the island to mobilise and participate in the various protests, organised by the Campaign, that are scheduled to take place over the coming days.

"We want people to send a powerful and peaceful message to George Bush and his Administration that the Irish people, who mobilized in such large numbers last year, remain fervently opposed to their illegal war and brutal occupation of Iraq and the massive suffering, including the deaths of thousands of men, women and children it has caused.

"But the people also need to send another and probably more important message to those closer to home. That message needs to be directed at our own Government who have shamefully assisted in this war and occupation against the wishes of the majority of Irish people.

"By allowing US troops transport through Shannon Airport and by allowing US forces to train in the Curragh this Government of crooks and gombeens has undermined Irish neutrality like no other in Irish history. To their eternal shame they have colluded by their actions in facilitating the US war machine on Irish soil and indeed by their inactions in failing to use the period of the EU Presidency to promote the primacy of the UN over US unilateralism in the disaster that continues to unfold in Iraq on the daily basis.

"The simple and unassailable fact is that the war on Iraq was unjustified and the ongoing occupation of the country is wrong and must end. This weekend's protests must make that message loud and clear and leave both the US Administration and the Irish Government in no doubt as to the views of the Irish people."