MAKE MUSIC NOT WAR

national | miscellaneous | news report Saturday February 15, 2003 14:39 by Paul Cummins chewy at redbrick dot dcu dot ie

BUSKING FOR BUSH ON GRAFTON ST.

Global Resistance organised a busking event to promote the protest in Dublin on Sat 15th Feb/

A fun evening was had singing along to the multiple guitars, bongoes and singers that gathered outside BT on Grafton st. last night. Organised by the local Global Resistance it was really a suitable event for the (Valentines) day lots of fun and sentiments of love and peace. It gathered a nice crowd as people went home and to the pubs who appreciated the friendly message and talented musicians and the crowd occassionaly joined in full voice with the singing of classic protest songs such as "Give Peace a Chance, Get up Stand up" and a thrown together song with the chorus "We know you Bush, your father was a killer too. No blood for oil, We don't want your bloody war... A positive message was portrayed that whatever grouping you are from peace and progress is worth singing for. An Iraqi man spoke of briefly of his belief that people were suffering in Iraq but it was ultimatley a internal issue not to be interfered other sates no matter how powerful. A group of mostly women called the "Voice Project" sang a specialy composed song and a impressive African number, dancing in fairie costumes with the "rent a drunks" adding to the fun atmosphere. Many people just rushed by, tourists and others impressed by the show took photos and leaflets about the march the next day we're handed out. Photographers from the Examiner and Independent were there I think so look out for pictures and reports in those rags. The only visible police presence was a one drive by for this unannounced busking on one of the main streets of Dublin.

for photos visit http://www.redbrick.dcu.ie/~chewy/temp/