Belfast schools demonstrate against war

by Tunnel vision Fri Mar 07, 2003 13:46

Called by but most schools not oraganised by YAW.

by Dan Buckley - SAW and SWP Thu Mar 06, 2003 20:47

This is what i printed yesterday up on indymedia, as you can see there are no sour grapes. Also, here is the press release that the SAW sent out.
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good work from all involved
by Dan Buckley - SAW and SWP Wed, Mar 5 2003, 7:31pm
phone: 07762363147 [email protected]

The truth is most of the organising of this was done neither by SAW or YAW. It was done by pissed of school students who took their own initiative and used the resources of both groups. For this both groups should be congratulated, but more so those unconnected individuals. Today there will have been rallies that we haven’t heard of and may never hear of.
I have been receiving reports from around the north, in one school a SAW activists organised a teach-in of 150 and at another school a rally of 250 was held, I have also heard unconfirmed reports that schools in west Belfast marched down to city hall for a rally. I’ve also heard that some schools were blocked, i.e. that of Abbey (I think that’s what it is called) down in Newry and also of teachers locking students in school in one or two schools in Belfast.
The SAW is now organising for a massive walkout across the north on Day X. As before school students are more than welcome to download any resources and print them of to use in their schools.
We are also saying to schools to get in touch with us and help us help them. If you know any school students in the north or the south or anywhere tell them about our web page and say its open to all, mainly because it is.

Dan Buckley
www.geocities.com/schools_against_war/

-----------------------------
THOUSANDS WALKOUT AGAINST WAR
Embargo, for immediate release

School students from across Northern Ireland have walked out against any war on Iraq.

Dan Buckley one of the organisers for the Schools Against War group said, “We have getting phone calls and emails from schools telling us about walkouts in place we didn’t even know existed. Today’s walkouts are just the tip of the iceberg as to what we can do in stopping this war.”

“In west Belfast hundreds school students walked out of various schools under the banner of Schools Against the War. This movement is the largest of its sort that Northern Ireland has ever seen”.

Mr Buckley commented on the media stir about any conflict between pupils and staff by saying, “We are aware that a lot of schools did not have the chance to walk out today because of the threat of sanctions put on pupils by senior staff, but we are appealing to our teachers to join in the next walkout when the bombing starts.”

“We will be organising petitions to go to the education department to put a stop to this bullying of anti-war activists in schools across Northern Ireland.”

“In our eyes this is only the beginning. Plans are already afoot to organise a mass rally in the city centre under the banner of Schools Against the War with feeder marches coming in from every section of Belfast and students in Bangor and elsewhere are planning the same.”

“Our message is simple, this war is not in our name!!!”

by Another Anonymous SWPer Thu Mar 06, 2003 19:44

More sour grapes from anonymous members of the SWP. Face it lads, a huge event happened. It was called for and organised by Youth Against War an organisation which you have nothing to do with. It involved thousands of ordinary students taking strike action across the country.

SSAW helped out in the one area (Belfast) in which they exist and for that they are due some congratulations, the predictably sectarian whining of anonymous members of their parent organisation aside.

Cue back to anonymous SWPers claiming "it was us really... and anyway it wasn't a big deal if it wasn't".

by Waiting for Day X Thu Mar 06, 2003 19:31

Although all the media said only hundreds my figures are taken from all those schools that walked out or were locked in I did not count fantasy schools. To be honest 3000 is in itself a bit of a stretch as the figure was closer to 2500. For example when the mass anti secterian rally took place last year the trade union movement and everyone else including the left said their was 30,000 the SP on their own said 100,000. These are the type of wild estimations that the SP in N.Ireland are renowned for.Most people divide what they say by three and then take a few more of. My figures come from the phone arounds and the facts. Despite this it was a brilliant achievment and as the heading on the report on the rallies in N.Ireland largest selling newspaper the Belfast Telegraph stated 'Walkouts 'The Tip of the iceberg' said the youth group {SSAW}- and so it will be as already hundreds of lecturers, teachers and education workers are now signed up to support them. Some of the other figures and some of the schools 'lead' by YAW is pure fantasy but It is no worry to me what you want to tell your members { for example Newry 1000, the Irish news states 100 the reality for those there 300 etc etc} yet this figure is a good achievement - Interesting though how this also fits in with the divide by three and take a few off . The SP as usual can say how many millions they want but people just ignore the fantasy and stick to the facts. Credit given were credit due both to the YAW and SSAW but no point in lying to the class by the usual mulipication of 3 and a bit.

by Aidan - IMC Editorial Thu Mar 06, 2003 17:21

Northern Ireland Schools Protest Against War
by J Dornan - Youth Against War Thu, Mar 6 2003, 1:42am
Youth Against War Press Release
Reports from schools demos.

Youth Against the War

Press Release: 5.3.03

Up to 10,000
school students in
Northern Ireland
take action against the war.

1000 march in Newry

Students in some schools locked in

Newry students threatened with suspension

An estimated 10,000 school students across Northern Ireland today took part in some form of protest action in opposition to the war in Iraq. In most cases the action took the form of lunchtime protests in school grounds or outside the gates of schools. In Newry, Omagh and Coleraine marches and rallies were held. In Derry, where well over 1000 took part in protests, students from some schools marched to the Guildhall Square.

The walkouts and protests were organised by Youth Against the War. Youth Against the War spokesperson, Daniel Waldron, said: "We were overwhelmed by the support in all areas. No-one can now question the opposition of school students to this unjust war for oil. The determination of students to take action was also clearly shown.

"The only unfortunate aspect of the day was the response of some schools who tried to intimidate students and physically prevent them from taking part. Students were threatened with suspension and expulsion.

"Youth Against the War is now compiling information on the threats and the physical methods that were used to try to stop students from taking part. For example, in Dominican College in North Belfast students were threatened with suspension. When they tried to walk out some teachers physically attempted to block them. In the end 300 took part in a protest at the gates but several hundred others were turned back.

"In Orangefield in East Belfast, 200 students who tried to leave were chased around the playing fields by teachers but eventually got out. In Abbey Grammar School in Newry, the senior staff blocked the gates with two cars and physically prevented 200 people from walking out. Six pupils who forced their way out by climbing a fence have been threatened with suspension.

"In St Mary’s in West Belfast more than half of those who wanted to come out were locked in the school. They eventually got out by running out the back and taking a mile long detour to reach the front gates.

"There were also cases where school gates were locked and students could not get out. In Grosvenor High School in East Belfast the students were locked in. A Youth Against the War activist in the school led a protest of 200 pupils to the gates, protesting both against the war and the fact that the school was denying them the right to protest.

"Schools have no legal right to lock school gates. It means that in the event of a fire, accident, or serious illness emergency services have no access to the schools. We will be contacting the schools about this and also will defend any student who is suspended as a result. We will also be contacting the teacher’s unions asking them to instruct their members to refuse to lock up schools or try to physically imprison students in the schools in the event of future protests.
"We are now setting up Youth Against the War groups in every school. We want school students to prepare for an even bigger protest on Day X, the first full school day after the war begins."

End

Youth Against the War Central Spokesperson

David Semple, Our Lady & St. Patricks, Knock: 07745207693
or contact Gary Mulcahy on 90232962

add your comments

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COMMENTS
No point in going over old ground
by Solidarity with the truth Thu, Mar 6 2003, 9:47am

It is interesting to see when YAW press statement mention nothing of the support SSAW gave them. In belfast the 'majority' of schoolstudents were organised by SSAW and its supporters.Although SSAW were organising more so for day X they did contact there members to ask them to show solidarity, In total at a maximum 3000 around N.Ireland took part. It is not good to make wild estimates as the figure don,t add up. In west belfast four schools organised by SSAW brought over 500 schoolstudents out. In South belfast SSAW brought several hundred more out with hundreds more around the city. {I can go into the various schools and some inaccuricies of other claims but there is no point as it was just good to see the schoolstudents out}It was also good to see many pupils taking there own initative.Although the YAW called the protest people including the media were aware of the support given by SSAW especially in Belfast. . It is important to let people know the reality rather than leaving out some important facts.Just one point though {and it is honest advice} it would be better getting a school student to do the interviews rather than a fourty year old man as some scholl students did rise that issue . Many organisations in the schools workplaces and communities are now organising for mass action on day X

Blah blah
by Cornelius Thu, Mar 6 2003, 10:35am

The fact that SSAW supported this action is not an important fact.The important fact is that 10000 students marched and the above article tells me that.The important fact is action against the war and not who does what and why.

Hardly tactful
by Ray Thu, Mar 6 2003, 11:07am

Sentences like "The walkouts and protests were organised by Youth Against the War." give the impression there was only one organisation involved, and no action independent of organisations. Both of which have been contradicted by reports on indymedia.
I agree, the important thing is that the protests happened, and it would be great if the SP and SWP groups (I can't remember which is which) would put aside their differences and work together on this. The first step in that process is restraining yourself from claiming every victory for your own group.

begining of list of global participation in global students strike against War day of action 5/3/03
by iosaf=ipsiphi= o as if Thu, Mar 6 2003, 11:10am
address: barcelona

gurbh maith agaibh go leír!

if you dont go to school have a good reason.
learn something else!
yesterday I saw a spontaneous sit down street occupation by two hundred students in BCN. These kids are learning.
gold stars all round!

related link: barcelona.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=34543&group=webcast

ALL BEING PREPARED
by ANTI WAR MOVEMENT Thu, Mar 6 2003, 1:55pm

DAY X.

School students against the war with teachers and education workers and lectures are organising and co-ordinating to walk out from the Education sector. They will do so though with other workplaces and local anti war groups along with various other political parties, campaign groups, womens groups, minority groups solidarity campaigns and others around the north many for mass non voilent direction.

Come on...!
by Chris Henry - Socialist Youth Thu, Mar 6 2003, 2:28pm
address: www.homestead.com/colerainesy/main.html [email protected]

Come on...!
by Chris Henry - Socialist Youth Thu, Mar 6 2003, 2:33pm
address: www.homestead.com/colerainesy/main.html [email protected]

With all due respect to any SSAW members, but this was a press release. Do you honestly mean to say that if SSAW organised an event and we held solidarity with it, we would be mentioned as a part of it? I'm not critising you, but I think it's important that we don't have double standards here. YAW organised the rallies and walkouts, fair enough, they have the right to say so. When SSAW organise action and set out a press release, then they have the right to say they were responsible. Surely that's enough for everyone?

So you lie through your teeth in your press releases.
by pat c Thu, Mar 6 2003, 3:06pm

Correction
by Slip of the tounge maybe Thu, Mar 6 2003, 3:20pm

You called the protests but most of them were not organised by you

StMarys
by xConorx Thu, Mar 6 2003, 4:19pm
address: Belfast [email protected]

"In St Mary’s in West Belfast more than half of those who wanted to come out were locked in the school. They eventually got out by running out the back and taking a mile long detour to reach the front gates."

Yoooo!!!! That's my old school! Nice one - glad to see they are still kicking up a fuss. Keep it up.

by Yet another anonymous SWPer Thu Mar 06, 2003 16:59

Amusing stuff from the usual anonymous SWPer. SSAW did some stuff too! Why didn't you mention the fact that we helped in Belfast! At least this gobshite has retreated a bit from the lies of his anonymous party colleague that SSAW in fact organised most of the events.

This was an event called for by Youth Against War, organised for by YAW and the vast bulk of the walkouts took place in areas where SSAW doesn't exist (ie everywhere bar Belfast). In Belfast, SSAW activists did help to build for the walkouts and that's very welcome.

The funniest thing about the claims above is that while trying to get his grubby paws on some credit our anonymous SWP friend simultaneously massively downplays the numbers involved. In other words if it was good we want the credit but if we can't have the credit it wasn't very good!There were over a thousand on strike in Newry and similar numbers in Omagh. Not even the most one-eyed (green eyed?) SWPer could seriously claim that less than a thousand took part between all of the other places where there were walkouts. The thing which makes this all the funnier is the SWP's inability to count usually operates in the other direction!

by ANTI WAR MOVEMENT Thu Mar 06, 2003 14:56

DAY X.

School students against the war with teachers and education workers and lectures are organising and co-ordinating to walk out from the Education sector. They will do so though with other workplaces and local anti war groups along with various other political parties, campaign groups, womens groups, minority groups solidarity campaigns and others around the north many for mass non voilent dire action .

by Cornelius Thu Mar 06, 2003 13:16

No it wasn't,it was us,no it was our group,no it was our part,no it was our movement,blah blah etc blah blah blah.Fuck off.It was the students who deserve credit.

by Solidarity with the truth Thu Mar 06, 2003 10:49

It is interesting to see when YAW press statement mention nothing of the support SSAW gave them. In belfast the 'majority' of schoolstudents were organised by SSAW and its supporters.Although SSAW were organising more so for day X they did contact there members to ask them to show solidarity, In total at a maximum 3000 around N.Ireland took part. It is not good to make wild estimates as the figure don,t add up. In west belfast four schools organised by SSAW brought over 500 schoolstudents out. In South belfast SSAW brought several hundred more out with hundreds more around the city. {I can go into the various schools and some inaccuricies of other claims but there is no point as it was just good to see the schoolstudents out}It was also good to see many pupils taking there own initative.Although the YAW called the protest people including the media were aware of the support given by SSAW especially in Belfast. . It is important to let people know the reality rather than leaving out some important facts.Just one point though {and it is honest advice} it would be better getting a school student to do the interviews rather than a fourty year old man as some school students did rise that issue . Many organisations in the schools workplaces and communities are now organising for mass action on day X

by Seanin Thu Mar 06, 2003 01:56

Yuo can talk schoolkids into doing anything, anyway it's gets them out of class.

by xConorx Wed Mar 05, 2003 23:06 Belfast

Hope my old school was involved....

by Danny - Youth Against War Wed Mar 05, 2003 21:33 02890 232962 (North) / 0876684616 (South)

The most important thing which school students can be doing now is to organise absolutely enormous strikes for Day X, the day when the war begins.

Youth Against the War is already organising for that day. If you are interested in getting your school or college or whatever involved get in touch.

by Carewhead Wed Mar 05, 2003 21:30

Des make sure that Ron gets home safely and ask him did I win the money from the draw.

btw I'll check that information out for you tomorrow.

by Des Wed Mar 05, 2003 21:22

Nice one re the demo Gary, to think that I knew you when you were a humble member of the rank and file in another part of the island. Ron was very impressed as well!!!!

by Che Wed Mar 05, 2003 21:09

Its good to see students of all ages taking the anti war cause so seriously and indymedia being used by campaigners on all parts of the island, keep up the good work!!!

by Ray McInerney Wed Mar 05, 2003 20:47

Brilliant!