Gathering says 'not in our name Bertie' at Spire of light;

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday March 05, 2003 18:24 by kahootz

In related news, 70 Irish lawyers say Irish Government is acting illegally

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An illegal package was posted in the General Post Office on O'Connell street today. Addressed to the head of the Iraqi Red Crescent, it contains three packets of medicine. Like the war machines passing through Shannon, it is on its way to Iraq.

Across the road, under a blue sky and the shadow of the spire of light, a circle formed for an Ash Wednesday anti-war vigil.

Some had come after court appearances and jail time for their acts of non-violent resistance to the Irish governments complicity in acts of terrorism against the Iraqi people. Others were tourists and Irish citizens passing who were drawn to the circle to say that blood should not be spilt in their name. The blood may be on your hands Bertie, but it is not on ours.

In an act of symbolic defiance, Ciaron O'Reilly burnt his high court injunction served on him recently by Air Rianta. US and Nestle dollars also formed the tiny fire pyre. The black ashes were then used by people on their foreheads. Not in our name, we said.

In related news, the normally silent Irish legal profession has spoken loudly. More than 70 Irish lawyers today signed a public statement opposing the planned US/British war on Iraq.

Describing the Irish Government's support for the war as "criminal", the group said the Irish Government's support for the US war preparations breaches the principles of both domestic and international law and, by providing facilities at Shannon Airport to the US military, the Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats coalition is guilty of serious criminal conduct.

*Resistance is fertile folks*