Report: RNU Anti-internment picket Naas(12/12/09)

kildare | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Sunday December 13, 2009 13:59 by Republican Network for Unity Dublin - Republican Network for Unituy rnudublin at gmail dot com

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Report: RNU Anti-internment picket, Naas(12/12/09)

Yesterday(12/12/09) 12 RNU activists from Dublin and Kildare, held a picket in at Naas Town Hall, Co Kildare to highlight internment that is currently being unjustly implemented by the British government to quell republicanism in the six occupied counties,
As the picket was beginning, RNU members were approached by three very antagonistic uniformed Gardai, who asked what we were doing and had we permission to do it, they then proceeded to ask for ID from those present while taking names and addresses, when no reply was given regarding ID being held by those attending the picket, the Gardai rather aggressively asked why they were being given no answer, they were informed legally protesters only have to provide a name and address and that's all the interaction they would be getting, the Guards then half heatedly and sheepishly persisted in asking what the picket was about, they were given a brief explanation before they returned to their patrol car.

The picket was a successful one, many of those passing the picket asked what we were highlighting, and RNU activists gladly obliged by explaining that internment was alive and well within the six counties, numerous motorists also gave supportive beeps as they drove past, all the while two special branch members driving past at a snails pace in a hatchback patrol car gave RNU activists intense stares and took pictures, other special branch Gardai observed the picket from afar.

Happy with the outcome of the picket, as RNU members were wraping it up, amazingly the Gardai felt it appropriate to fly a helicopter at low level over the finished picket, the helicopter also followed RNU members as they made their way back to their cars,
If one thing was made clear during the picket, it was that the Gardai are prepared to got to any lengths to intimidate republicans and show hostility to demonstrations highlighting politically motivated kidnappings of fellow Irishmen on their own island by British occupiers, the waste of such police resources such as a helicopter to observe concerned individuals having a dignified protest over a just cause is a disgrace, considering the criminality, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour that are rife in nearby working class areas such as Tallaght and Clondalkin, surely such Gardai manpower would be better served to help these communities.

Despite the ridiculous display from Gardai on the day, RNU Dublin and Kildare were not deterred, and are now more determined to carry out activities and demonstrations into the New Year, we would ask all republicans and concerned individuals to continue to highlight internment and British repression in the occupied six counties,

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Le gach beannacht,
Rrepublican Network for Unity Dublin and Kildare