GREENS & LABOUR DISTANCE THEMSLEVES FROM MAR 1

Friday February 28, 2003 14:21

by BD

GREENS & LABOUR DISTANCE THEMSLEVES FROM MAR 1

From:ireland.com
Friday, 28th February, 2003

The Green Party and the Labour Party have advised members not to attend tomorrow's anti-war protest at Shannon Airport over concerns the rally may turn violent.

Earlier this week, a little-known group - Grassroots Network Against War (GNAW) - posted a statement on its website calling for "direct action" at the march, which is protesting at US planes refuelling there as part of the build-up to war in Iraq.

Other anti-war movements, such as the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM), have planned peaceful protests in Shannon also on Saturday.

The chairman of the IAWM, Mr Richard Boyd-Barrett, said the group expected several thousand protesters to join a march from Shannon town to the terminal building. "It is going to be a peaceful march. Grassroots Network Against War are an independent group separate from us".

Mr Boyd Barrett said the proposed breach of security was detracting from the real issues of the protest.

The GNAW statement said the group intended to pull down the perimeter fence at the airport and occupy a grass verge.

"We will not attempt to occupy the runway or to reach any planes, the purpose of this action is to demonstrate that the state can not secure the "warport" against the anger of the people," the statement added.

It also said those taking part in the direct action may face "arrest or violence from the police".

A Green Party spokesman said it was advising its members to attend its annual convention instead of the protest, but said any members attending should do so "peacefully and in a family friendly manner".

A Labour Party spokesman said there was concern that tomorrow's protest had the potential to turn violent because of "some elements attending" and advised members not to attend.