Derry: More Protest at Reports of Bush visit

by awaiting summons Mon Apr 07, 2003 10:46

is anyone going to add to the night pix?

and the "hands across the divide" statues (ie "the tappers" as it is known here in doire)... are we getting any pix up?

by geurnica Mon Apr 07, 2003 11:54

Wait a minute, are they covering up the 'bush not welcome' sign?

by Mags Mon Apr 07, 2003 13:02

I think it is the 'Bush not Welcome' that is being covered. The wall itself should not be covered, but it was wrong to deface it with the 'Bush Not Welcome'. Not because the slogan is unworthy, but it should not be on a historical monument to the struggle of the people of Derry. All monuments are not targets, respect should be shown. On this basis anyone could go up and scrawl any slogan they like on the wall.

But other than the above being the reason for the covering I can't see any other. Was it defintiely SF that covered it, can anyone in Derry say?

by An outraged citizen Mon Apr 07, 2003 13:22

Free-derry corner was covered in a black shroud by FEIC - Foyle Ethical Investment Coalition - and members of the Derry Anti-War coalition in protest at the presence of Bush and Blair 'talking peace' while people are dying as a result of their action in Iraq. It is mourning this massacre of innocent life at a site that has seen its fair share of loss and violence. This is not a sectarian issue, but one of the loss of civil rights.

by An outraged citizen Mon Apr 07, 2003 13:29

The black shroud will cover Free Derry Wall for 48 hours to underline the widespread sense of foreboding for the integrity of our own ‘peace process’ in the wake of the support local politicians have given to the presence of President George Bush. There can be no ‘Free Derry’ if our peace process is merely an exchange of imperial masters and guarantors – from London to Washington.

by Irony is dead Mon Apr 07, 2003 14:41

Mags the wall is a symbol of protest against imperialism. Rather than being seen as an untouchable icon - it is fitting that once again activists have seen the link and made it a living thing of protest.
The fact that SF are to welcome the 2 imperial masters of war also parallel the use of the wall. I've seen many a speech by McGuinness, Adams and co in front of the wall about the struggle against imperialism. Now their actions are defacing what the wall stands for.

by O´as-if Mon Apr 07, 2003 14:53

it ought not be covered.
The forces of the Right are changing the language of Peace, of Democracy of struggle.
are we to be complicit in that as well?

by iosaf frothing at the mouth Mon Apr 07, 2003 16:11

Derry has given Ireland so much genius, of so many different traditions, the city more than any other has summed up pithly and horrifically our shared and divided history.
Even today politicisation of Derry's people has continued as they have moved from the areas where once they were contained in mutual antagonism.

For today I was going to publish a perhaps offensive but maybe funny "guide to invading the North of Ireland".
I was going to describe the best options for a full scale land invasion of the "fortified province" with the humble resources of 5000 tractors (lent by the Farmers association) a hijacked RAF helicopter which was to be diverted by a falsealarm to rescue a sinking skiff off the coast of Killybegs and thanks to the SWMies about two hundred thousand screaming kids.
The initial phase of my planned land invasion would have seen by about 13h00 today the final push of our tractors and IMC activists through the Foyle valley area.
Derry you see is crucial.
And its name is ours.
We made it so through our history.
and that wall is ours.

War turns to Peace turns to jokes turns to bitter memories and aside from the hypocrisy that many grassroot activists and politically aware accuse the leadership of Sinn Fein, there is the truth that SF aren't the only party supported by those who use the name "derry" any more.

Nor were they always. Of the great wit given by Derry to our history are included Nell and Eamonn and they were never SF.

And so one of the symbols of Ireland, of "·our struggle·" against Imperialism has been altered for all to see, and not by SF, no. For it is no longer "·their wall·", and nor is the process that will allow Ireland's people and future generations to shape our role in Peace settlements in the world.

They have chosen (despite whatever their grass root supporters may argue) to become the party of Irish America.

Ireland from Derry to Rosslare is a European country.

The right the parties of militarism, conservatism, globalised capitalism and WAR, many amongst them "reconstructed fascist parties" have in the last weeks spoken as one by manipulating the word "Liberty".

And they are not alone in manipulating language.
froth froth froth chomping away in enraged aghast what have ye done to our wall?????????????

Do you think Bush says
"Derry or London....."

by kate Mon Apr 07, 2003 18:02

No one should think that the covering of the Free Derry wall in mourning is meant as anything other than a strong and powerful signal to all who witness it that those who fought and died for Civil Rights in our land would support. We are all diminished by this obscene assault on another people who are denied their Rights and slaughtered by those who did the same on our streets.

by froth froth Mon Apr 07, 2003 18:36

you cover to not cause offence.
that is standard protocol.

Mourning can be shown effectively by draping the mural.

Covering the mural has communicated a completely different meaning.
This is one of the most photographed political sites in Ireland, and today it is covered.

The person who sprayed it chose not to use any offensive words, and represented I am sure a cross community message.

by rightonincanada Thu Apr 10, 2003 21:00

Ah, the ingratitude of the Irish. When they are not collaborating with genocidal maniacs and gassing up German U-boats, they are biting the hand that feeds them. Are you not aware of the way of life America has provided for so many millions of Irish? Stop your constant whining,stop acting like spoiled children and understand that the rest of the world does not care about what you have to say or your culture. You Irish are certainly full of self-aggrandisement.

by Steve D Tue Apr 29, 2003 00:51

Dear rightonincanada: your spelling and grammar are unusually good for someone so apparently incapable of reflection. When the league tables for self-aggrandisement and self-promotion are finally totted up I think we can all agree it's USA #1. Since you care so little about what we think..........why are you here?