parents with kids meeting point

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday February 11, 2003 05:22 by ollie - Katalyzer

Parents with kids meet at the Parnell st west and Parnell st north junction of mountjoy Square on the 15th, at 1.30 Pm, for the anti-war demo.

Myself, my partner and a few other parents and kids are meeting up b4 the anti-war march. We decided on this particular corner (Parnell st west and north junction) of Mountjoy square - it's no distance to the Garden of Rememberence.

Then, we thought, why not invite, in a fully open manner, other parents with kids?

Who are we? We're a small group of 'non-affialiated' (politically) parents with kids ,and we're against the war. Nothing more! But anyone/everyone with kids/pregnant, including 'affiliated' (ie SWP, Green Party ,various single issue groups) are invited.

We just think that this war will obviously effect kids ,number one, so making a specific kid-based protest/message is important.

Also, people are sometimes wary of bringing their kids to demos. Usually, they are being overly cautious, but, as those with kids know, that's what being a parent is all about! In fact, it could be considered written in stone! So creating a very visible, safe, family-friendly space full of kids, parents, balloons,footballs, banners, decorations, supra-fluffy add-ons like extra cotton wool, water, nappies, face paints, company, good vibes, more spare nappies... would be great. But, most importantly, a visible presence of the 'future of Ireland', our children, would send out a positive message more so than if we were interspersed amongst the crowd. This could also lead to childminding/chreche etc type facilities ,if 'we' thought we needed them for demos in the future, - who knows?

Naturally, some of you would rather march with your affiliated groups, kids with you, and that too is fine. But with such a big demo, and with so many various groups, its easy to get swamped, as it were. And there is some sort of safety, I think, in a group of parents with kids being surrounded by other parents with kids. And, naturally, kids like being around other kids.

So, if you're into it, come along. Don't expect anything organised - just a group of parents and their kids meeting on the Parnell st west and parnell st north junction of Mountjoy square, at 1.30, heading down to the Garden of Rememberence for 2, and then whatever happpens, happens.

So come, bring kid-friendly stuff if you can, and c u at 1.30!

Finally, tell other people on your bus, in your car, or just anyone you see over the next few days, if you can.

I'm not promising anything, but I think it's a good idea.

Finally, if the IAWM (Irish Anti War movement), or whoever is officially organising this march, have sth specific organised for kids, which the above clashes with, please reply to this.