Derry no events posted in last week
Interested in maladministration. Estd. 2005
 RTEs Sarah McInerney ? Fianna Fail supporter? Anthony
Joe Duffy is dishonest and untrustworthy Anthony
Robert Watt complaint: Time for decision by SIPO Anthony
RTE in breach of its own editorial principles Anthony
Waiting for SIPO Anthony Public Inquiry >>
A Blog About Human Rights
UN human rights chief calls for priority action ahead of climate summit Sat Oct 30, 2021 17:18 | Human Rights
5 Year Anniversary Of Kem Ley?s Death Sun Jul 11, 2021 12:34 | Human Rights
Poor Living Conditions for Migrants in Southern Italy Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:14 | Human Rights
Right to Water Mon Aug 03, 2020 19:13 | Human Rights
Human Rights Fri Mar 20, 2020 16:33 | Human Rights Human Rights in Ireland >>
News Round-Up Wed Apr 24, 2024 00:49 | Richard Eldred
A summary of the most interesting stories in the past 24 hours that challenge the prevailing orthodoxy about the ?climate emergency?, public health ?crises? and the supposed moral defects of Western civilisation.
The post News Round-Up appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Massive Climbdown From WHO as Latest Draft of IHR Amendments Drops Almost All Offending Aspects Tue Apr 23, 2024 19:30 | Will Jones
The just-released draft of the International Health Regulations amendments from the WHO Working Group shows a massive climbdown in almost all areas of concern, according to UsForThem.
The post Massive Climbdown From WHO as Latest Draft of IHR Amendments Drops Almost All Offending Aspects appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
We?re Hiring Tue Apr 23, 2024 17:30 | Will Jones
The Daily Sceptic is currently looking for a new Associate Editor to take the lead in running and hosting the new Weekly Round-Up podcast, as well as writing for the site. Details here.
The post We’re Hiring appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
Were You Sacked for Wrongthink? Tell Me Your Story Tue Apr 23, 2024 15:21 | C.J. Strachan
Were you sacked for wrongthink? As research suggests hundreds of thousands may have suffered this fate, C.J. Strachan wants to hear your story so the scandal is not forgotten.
The post Were You Sacked for Wrongthink? Tell Me Your Story appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.
There?s Nothing ?Scientific? About Climate Models Tue Apr 23, 2024 13:00 | Paul Sutton
On BBC Politics Chris Packham claimed "something called science" is evidence that the recent Dubai flooding was caused by climate change. But there's nothing scientific about the models that 'prove' that, says Paul Sutton.
The post There’s Nothing “Scientific” About Climate Models appeared first on The Daily Sceptic. Lockdown Skeptics >>
Voltaire, international edition
Iran's hypersonic missiles generate deterrence through terror, says Scott Ritter... Mon Apr 22, 2024 10:37 | en
When the West confuses Law and Politics Sat Apr 20, 2024 09:09 | en
The cost of war, by Manlio Dinucci Wed Apr 17, 2024 04:12 | en
Angela Merkel and François Hollande's crime against peace, by Thierry Meyssan Tue Apr 16, 2024 06:58 | en
Protest against the bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, by Amir Saeid ... Sat Apr 13, 2024 06:09 | en Voltaire Network >>
|
Search words: raytheon
Derry; PSNI attempt intimidation of peaceful raytheon vigil, children videotaped
 derry |
anti-war / imperialism |
news report
 Sunday August 13, 2006 17:28 by Shane OCurry - WSM
Carnival atmosphere shattered by aggressive & intimidating policing
The peaceful and carnival atmosphere at yesterday evenings (saturday 12 aug)FEICs monthly vigil in front of raytheon was shattered when 2 landrovers full of riot gear clad PSNI de-bussed and began filming and corralling protesters. It began shortly after 5pm as the usual FEIC monthly vigils normally do, except this time with more than 20 people standing in beside the permanently dug 'grave' in front of raytheon, which bears crosses with the words 'Fallujah 2004', 'Gaza', 'Lebanon 2006', 'Bagdad 2003'.
Soon, however, with the widespread anger over the most recent spate of Israeli war crimes and the British and Irish governments ongoing cowardice in failing to stand up to the US and the Israelis, as well as the disproportionate police and judicial response to the recent disarming of Raytheons computers, the numbers had swelled to well over 50.
It was a peace loving carnival atmosphere, a celebration of popular democracy, and the majority of people's voice being at last heard over the din of war and political double-speak. There were about 10 small children there, some as young as 2. There were civil rights veterans, university academics, artists, journalists, unemployed people, schoolteachers, pensioners, activists, computer engineers, civil servants, careworkers, mothers, fathers, grandparents. There were clowns, face painters and balloons. The children were playing with each other, running between the legs of the grown-ups, showing off their balloon-headgear.
Suddenly 2 landrovers belonging to the controversial TSGs (Tactical Support Groups - formerly the District Mobile Support Units - still under the command of the politically charged & notorious Special Branch) drove up and stopped. One of them had a roof-mounted video camera filming the crowd. Boiler-suited riot cops de-bussed from these, and two of them began filming and photographing the crowd, including the children.
When they were challenged by members of the crowd, the police became hostile, threatening to arrest people for 'obstructing police'. More boiler suited thugs de-bussed and began harrassing and corralling mambers of the crowd back onto the footpath. Someone who photographed the police with his mobile phone was threatened with arrest and the police made as if to take the phone from him. The atmosphere was shattered. Celebration gave way to fear and anger.
The parents of the smallest children made their way to their cars to leave, but not before speaking their mind to the senior officer who had just arrived, one Chief Superintendent J Kane. The question was asked under what legislation the PSNI were filming a peaceful gathering, including children, wihout their parents permission. The rest of the crowd too were uncowed and the harrassing officers were asked why they were so interested in filming children, if they were paedophiles. It was said to the PSNI that the political nature of the RUC/PSNI hadnt 'really gone away, you know'. The cops were told that their video tape would be requested under the Freedom of Information Act and thet the whole operation would be reported to the Police Ombudsman.
Eventually C Supt J Kane apologised and offered to let representatives of the vigil come to Strand Road Barracks to view the video tapes and photographs and ensure that they were wiped. The majority of the PSNI left and the small presence left made itself more discreet.
The crowd then elected to turn the monthly vigil into a weekly one, beginning next Saturday at 5.
Photographs to come.
|
printable version
Digg this
del.icio.us
Furl
Reddit
Technorati
Facebook
Gab
Twitter
View Comments Titles Only
save preference
Comments (10 of 10)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10That is ridiculous, the police have no right to seize someones property for taking photographs. I'm glad to hear that persons phone was not confiscated, but had it been, and had you sued, you would have won.
That is your private property, and you are absolutely allowed to photograph the police. If they are allowed to photograph you in that instance, then you obvoiusly have the right to photograph them back. Otherwise they are also doing something illegal right?
I hate to hear about this belief in the police force that they can tell people when and where to take photographs. Photography is NOT illegal. In any instance, no matter what the police say to you.
The PSNI in Derry, like the gardaí at Shannon, are apparently too preoccupied with their own political prejudices to do their jobs properly. Instead of investigating the criminal gangs who have conspired to murder thousands in the Middle East, they go around harrassing decent, peace-loving people who are demanding justice. A recurring theme is the attempted robbery of mobile phones, cameras, banners and other items of private property.
It's good to know that there are solid citizens around to put a stop to the anti-social and anti-democratic behaviour of the police.
Best,
Coilín.
The heavy police presence was predictable after what happened there last Wednesday.
Makes me question the parential ability of anyone who would take their children to somewhere that had the potential to turn into a trouble flash-point, which in this case it very clearly had.
But there again some people feel the need to subject their children to this kind of danger as they can then use it to score brownie points and play the poor victim.
Pathetic!
So your white kidz are more significant than the brown ones under the rubble that Raytheon has unleashed on Lebanon, is that the story
Check out the magazine section of Tuesday's Guardian for the story of one Lebanese mother and her 3 kids buried alive by Israeli bombs. Just say your a "decent racist parent", drop the high moral tone and get back to shopping.
Well done to all who attended the demo/carnival/vigil. Fair play for standing yer ground to the cops, and refusing to accept intimidation.Thats the way to do it!
Good that children attended, a real education and also a sign that this protest is for their future. In early days at Shannon protests there was much time wasted at organisational meetings about bringing children on the demos, and would it be "safe" for them. It took patience and skill to get the point accross that the Gardai and FBO, and the Irish army were the perpetrators of violence not the protestors who were there to try and prevent violence,
What has John Hume to say about his friends in Raytheon these days?
"Go home, you've made your point!
Statin' the Obvious
You are very quick to brand people as racist, especially when you don't even know my ethnic background. What facts do you base your conclusions that I am a racist on?
Its sad that you have to resort to this kind of tactic in order undermine another persons point of view. You must be very insecure and a tad narrow minded to resort to doing so. Unfortunately its attitudes like this that have prolonged the conflict in Ireland for so long; not to mention in other places around the world; as it prevents people from talking and resolving their differences.
As for me personally I feel that what is going on in Lebanon is a disgrace and that the Israeli government should be pulled up on war crimes. I have no problem with the on-going protests against the Raytheons in this world as I feel they are very necessary to educate the people in what goes on and to sway the politicians into changing our society for the better. What I do have a problem with; professionally as well as personally as I am a social worker and working with kids is my thing; is people subjecting their kids to harmful or potentially dangerous situations. That makes me a racist?
A child’s mind is a very fragile thing. We have worked for so long with kids who were affected by the troubles to tried to undo the damage that has been done. What can seem fairly irrelevant to an adult can have a lasting and negative affect on a child. The last thing a child needs to see is their parents involved with a scuffle with the police and then dragged away kicking and screaming into a police car and leaving them on their own to be taken by people such as myself to be cared for. You have no idea of the terror they feel or the things that run through their little minds. and it stays there.
This is nothing short of child cruelty and any parent who would subject their child to this kind of thing or put them in a position to do so is completely irresponsible and needs to stop and think about what is best for their child instead of putting their own concerns first. A parents first responsibility is to their child and secondly to the world around them. Yes the two coincide but you can make this world a better place for your kids and make sure they are nurtured in the right way at the same time.
But there again I am only a racist as Statin' the Obvious informs me so what do I know?
"Won't somebody please think of the children"
Get your facts right -if anyone put kids in danger it was the RUC/PSNI scum turning up mod-handed to intimidate a peaceful protest. If you really are a social worker you're the type that gives the profession a bad name. Using a false argument of cruelty to children against parents for bringing them to a protest is twisted and make it perfectly obvious where your real sympathies lie despite your sneaky attempt to impugn the protestors.
You're in the wrong profession- get a job with the o'reilly press where your lickspittle distortions will be well rewarded.
Oh dear Caobhin. A very defensive response to my last comment. I must have pricked a nerve there.
>Get your facts right -if anyone put kids in danger it was the RUC/PSNI scum turning up mod-handed
>to intimidate a peaceful protest.
And what did you really expect to happen Caobhin? Did you think the Salvation Army band would attend instead to soothe you with hymns and cups of tea?
>If you really are a social worker you're the type that gives the profession a bad name.
And why is that? Because I disagree with parents who take children into potential flash points and put them at risk. Put your views to the NSPCC and Save The Children. When they disagree with you will you condemn them as well? Still if keeping children out of harms way makes me bad at my job then I hope I am never good at it.
>Using a false argument of cruelty to children against parents for bringing them to a protest is twisted
No its not. Using them as a way of scoring points over the opposition is. Putting children at risk of seeing their parents in conflict and being arrested has a very negative and adverse affect on them, so IS a form of child cruelty.
>and make it perfectly obvious where your real sympathies lie
Yes. With the children.
>despite your sneaky attempt to impugn the protestors.
Well let me sneakily say that I support anyone who protests against war, oppression, racism, homophobic prejudice, and many other things as long as it remains peaceful and people are not put at risk.
>You're in the wrong profession- get a job with the o'reilly press where your lickspittle distortions
>will be well rewarded.
Really; do they pay well?
Lol! What a venomous and nasty statement. But water of a ducks back dear. I assure you I have been subjected to much, much worse in 18 years of social work in Belfast, Magherafelt and Derry. Seen it all; heard it all.
Dress it up how you like Caobhin. But the fact remains that after the events of the first Raytheon protest it is inevitable that any future protests will incur a heavy police presence. This inturn is enough to spark of trouble, fighting and arrests. Now if you think this is a suitable environment in which to have children then you definitely need a few lessons in proper parenting.
Y.
The Derry Anti War Coalition (DAWC)
have created an on line petition : Support Derry Anti War Protesters (The Raytheon 9) at http://www.petitiononline.com/dawc/petition.html.