US Consulate in Belfast closed down by peace activists

by Mairead Corrigan Maguire - Peace People Fri Mar 24, 2006 17:22

The US led coalition has military might, but no moral authority, and is therefore incapable of solving the Iraqi crisis. Only the Iraqi people and their friends around the world, using nonviolent resistance to end the occupation and all violence, can begin to solve Iraqi problems and many of the problems facing the human family. People power, and nonviolent resistance to injustice and war, in Baghdad, Belfast, Birmingham, or Bethlehem, is the only power which works, because it upholds human life and human dignity and reminds us we are brothers and sisters who need both justice and each other.

On this the third anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq we gather together to remember all those who have been killed, and to call for an end to the US led invasion and occupation. We call also for people to continue to mobilize and use nonviolent resistance to end the occupation of Iraq.

In initiating and waging a war of aggression, and violating International Treaties, the US/UK governments are guilty of ‘crimes against peace’ and ‘war crimes’. Their immoral, illegal and aggressive war and invasion of Iraq, breaches many international laws including the Nuremberg Principles, the Geneva and Hague Conventions, the Treaty of Renunciation of War as a National Policy, and the United Nations Charter. There should be an enquiry into this, in order to give justice to the Iraqi people, and to safeguard the International community, lest the US Government attempt another pre-emptive war, air strikes, etc. against Iran, or elsewhere in the World.

The US led occupation of Iraq in March, 2003, coming as it did upon 13 years of economic sanctions and military bombing, was inhuman and cruel, as the Iraqi people never committed any crimes against the UK or the USA. The human cost, mostly to Iraqi civilians, is testimony to military madness. Over 100,000 Iraqis, over 2,000 USA Soldiers , and over 100 UK soldiers, all killed, and untold thousands injured. Also the ‘illegal’ tactics of US troops and the policies of coalition forces, are shameful and disgusting to the International community. The American forces have used cluster bombs, depleted uranium, white phosphorous and napalm on Iraqi civilians and their land. The torture of prisoners in US custody has constituted, and continues to constitute, war crimes. Recently a SAS soldier (Ben Griffin) refused to fight in Iraq and left the British Army over such ‘illegal’ USA tactics. For both moral and legal reasons, soldiers should refuse to fight and leave the coalition forces in Iraq.

In Iraq, the horrific reactionary violence from insurgency groups, and sectarian violence, is increasing daily. We appeal to these groups to stop their violence and enter into all-inclusive dialogue with all parties to the conflict in order to get justice and uphold human rights and international laws. Iraqi people are demanding their right to determine their own political future and for the coalition forces to leave their country, and this right must be respected. The vicious cycle of violence can be broken and the following steps by USA Government, will help begin a peace process:

l) USA assuring Iraqis they no longer want to manipulate control over their resources,
2) immediate closure of military bases,
3) withdrawal of US troops,
4) cancelling by IMF of Iraqis' debts,
5) reparations for the suffering caused by 13 years of economic and military
bombing, and
6) above all the USA/UK saying 'sorry' to the Iraqi people. .

20 March 2006

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:33

According to Associated Press, there were 51 arrests near the Pentagon on Monday when anti-war protestors on a peace march tried to deliver a mock coffin to Donald Rumsfeld.

Those arrested will face charges of refusing to obey a lawful order

A Defence Department spokesperson, Cheryl Irwin said the protesters were arrested after trying to get past a fence that had been set up to mark out an area for their demonstration.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjb/sets/72057594086668921/
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060321/1000975.asp
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1747958
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/0...0.DTL

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:39

black thundery masses rush
through shapeless shades of grey

across a cold riot of sky and air
two fighters are on display

roll, stall, hover, sweep, ruade
and undulating wings all thrill

making it look like merriment
two live hawks at play

in a dark swirling sky pond
two live hawks disappear

one small spot of blue
uncovers, changes and is past

blood on the bitter-cold ground
white blood-spattered ghosts surround

near me voices solemnly intone
unending names of the forever dead

all shapes, all colours, all sizes
a bronze bell tolls

long way to iraq
long way to home

it is over: black consulate gates
help black-gloved hands hoist

this still-alive body frame
from a dank belfast road

by Update Wed Mar 22, 2006 02:30

6 members of SDS NYC were arrested yesterday at the WRL/SDS/IWW
protest march. Doug V from the Bergen County (New Jersey) chapter,
Davey and Dan from Pratt SDS, Pat Korte of Stonington SDS and Tom
Good and Ben Maurer, both of MDS New York, were arrested for blocking
traffic at Times Square. All 17 arrestees were charged with disorderly
conduct and released. There is an April 17th court date.
Reactions to the demo were very good and the crowd was very vocal
demanding
our release (which we heard clearly from inside the police truck).
All local television stations had excellent coverage of the 6 SDSers
chanting "Stop The War, Stop The War" - and the subsequent arrest.

This shot by Fred Askew is representative of what was on television:
http://www.nextleftnotes.net/photo-gallery/2006_sds_m19...9.jpg

(left to right, Davey Vacek, Daniel Mirisola, Pat Korte, Tom Good)

Also arrested in the protest were Frida Berrigan, Michele Barsa and
Donna Gould of the War Resisters League, Felton Davis of Catholic
Worker, members of Kiaros Community and Grannies for Peace and Bill
Steyert of Veterans for Peace.

More media coverage -

>From Indymedia:

http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2006/03/66656.html
(great photos by Fred Askew)

by JNTC XX - JNTC XX Tue Mar 21, 2006 23:30 jntcx at bonbon dot net

more pics from US Consulate, Belfast

Doin’ it with grrl-power attitude!!

Remembering the Iraqi, US & UK war dead

Die-in & blockade

by anon Tue Mar 21, 2006 17:35

I don't believe these clouds in the UK read the original Sunday Times articel its flimsy, not proven yet.

by mairead mckeown - justice not terror coalition/pax christi Tue Mar 21, 2006 16:52 mairead1mckeown at yahoo dot co dot uk 19 Beechlawn Avenue BT17 9NL 90611380

The death toll is heartbreaking, the injuries are horrendous , there was no place really for any type of action which might lighten the atmosphere at the Belfast event and it was a tribute to all those who participated that they acted accordingly. Mark 's report has left out one small but significant contribution, the reading of an email from a Dominican nun living in Iraq and reporting on day-to-day events (April 2005) in the area where she lives. Even for someone who lived in Belfast throughout the "Troubles" it was harrowing to hear. My thanks to those who gave me the opportunity to join them in this moving tribute to all the dead of this acursed war

by Mark C Tue Mar 21, 2006 14:40

Seems to be a litle bit more 'direct action' than the anarchists in Dublin walking to Grafton Street and sitting in the park.

Mark.