The Public Order Act, passed in 1994 and subsequently one of the more draconian and controversial pieces of Irish legislation, has come back into the public eye with the passing of amendments related to "trespassing" in the dying days of the Dáil. Activists have certainly been aware of this Act as it stands, as it's one of the most effective weapons of the Gardai when confronted with any demonstration. Even when it was originally passed, politicians argued about the wording for weeks and the President (Mary Robinson) summoned the Council of State to consider if it was even constitutional. The new offences have the potential, if used in a certain way, to further curtail civil liberties and the right to protest. They are directed towards members of the Traveller community - who have called a protest on May 2nd

On Monday, two members of the Irish Peace Alliance - Venus and Natasha - climbed a tree in the grounds of the Israeli Embassy, raised the Palestinian flag, and demanded to speak to the Israeli ambassador. Both are friends of Irish aid workers Caoimhe Butterly and Mary Kelly who are under siege in Ramallah and Bethlehem. Caoimhe is in Arafat's building where they are now confined to three rooms.

In a statement, Venus and Natasha accuse the Israeli government of ignoring both the Geneva Convention and the Oslo Accord that protects the lives of the innocent in Palestine. They want an assurance from the ambassador that the lives of their friends and all the other international observers are safe and that no further harm will come to them. They also want an explanation for the shooting of the aidworkers, international journalists, observers, and innocent Palestinian civilians.

Update Saturday: Venus finally came down from the tree after six days - she is still very worried about her friends.

Update 10.00am Friday: More Garda harassment in the early hours of this morning. An Post has delivered letters to the tree... full report and latest photos.

Update 1.00pm Wednesday: Two women are still up the trees - Natasha had to go but she has been replaced by Tracey. Venus has now been up the tree for two days and nights... full report.

Update 11.00pm Tuesday: Venus and Natasha are now in seperate trees. Large groups of friends and supporters have been arriving all evening with chat and equipment, including a letter of support from the Palestinian Consul General. Venus and Natasha need people to visit them through the night (directions here).
Photos from Tuesday evening

Audio on RTE: Mary Kelly gives her account of the Israeli offensive against the Palestinians (RealAudio 28k)

Compilation of reports on Palestine situation
Comprehensive selection of IMC coverage on UK IMC

IMC Palestine
IMC Israel

The continuing dangers of Britain's nuclear folly, Sellafield, were brought home to Dubliners on a sunny Saturday afternoon by a 'Nuclear Meltdown Drill' organised by Globalise Resistance. The scenario was simple - imagine that a major nuclear accident has happened, and that it's time to put the much-discussed emergency plan into effect. The event started outside the Central Bank, where the model of Sellafield started to self-destruct, followed by an evacuation through Grafton Street, the heat of the city's shopping district, followed by a mass 'die-in' on the street and a protest outside the Dáil (parliament).

The event, which had been in planning for over a month, was covered by a large group of Indymedia reporters, who produced a selection of images, audio, and video.

In one sentence: should a suicidal pregnant woman be prevented from obtaining an abortion in Ireland? is the question being put to the Irish people on March 6th. The question "should abortion be available in Ireland?" is not being asked in this, the fifth referendum on the subject in 20 years. Some pro-life groups have called for a no vote (Mother and Child), some for a yes vote (Pro Life Campaign), while most pro-choice groups have condemned the referendum and called for a no-vote. (Irish Family Planning Association, Alliance for a No Vote)

Pro-choice group Alliance for a No Vote (ANV) claim the referendum will criminalise the thousands of Irish women who travel to Britain each year for an abortion. At a recent ANV meeting (report) speakers denounced the referendum for its abuse of women's rights, and its failure to address the 'more money, more choice' issue. Photos, Video.

On Saturday (F16) around 250 people rallied for choice in Dublin.

Picture Credit: Workers Solidarity Movement (see their report and photos of the X case march)

The Students Union of the National College of Art and Design presents a series of five free public talks and screenings focusing on various aspects of Art, New Technology, Politics and Activism.

All talks/screenings are free and open to members of the public.

The talks and screenings will take place on Thursday evenings beginning at 6.30pm in the main Lecture Theatre in NCAD, Thomas Street, Dublin.

The line-up is as follows:

Thursday Feb 21st
Conor McGarrigle on Net Art, Surveillance and his 'Spook' Project.

Thursday Feb 28th
Ken Fero presents a rare irish screening of Injustice, a controversial documentary on deaths in Police custody in the UK.

Thursday Mar 7th
Greg Palast on GW Bush, Enron, Argentina and his new book - The Best Democracy Money can Buy.

Thursday Mar 14th
Fiona Raby on the fusion of information space and urban territory.

Thursday Mar 21st
Reclaim the Streets (London) on changing the world with cunning direct action, crowd empowerment, fun, humour and raving.

For further information or to arrange Interviews in advance with any of the Speakers contact Annette at the NCAD Students Union at 01-6711553. Email: ncadsu@hotmail.com or ecrudden@hotmail.com