all-Ireland protests

by ??? Fri May 30, 2003 14:12

Up to 20 members of Ógra Shinn Fein staged a sit-in protest at the main Belfast electoral office in Church Lane in Belfast City Centre last week. As the group forced their way into the building, they were confronted by a staff member, who warned them that he would call in the PSNI police.

Undeterred, the activists took over the entrance hall of the building, where they staged their peaceful protest. When the PSNI did come on the scene, the protesters told them they would continue the protest but that they would not hinder anyone with business in the electoral office.

The protesters left after 45 minutes.

by Sean Fri May 30, 2003 09:21

Anyone able to right up a report on yesterdays day of action?

by Sean Fri May 30, 2003 09:05

There´s a bookshop in the Cultúrlann that specialises in Book, tapes, in general anything that may be of interest to someone with an interest in Irish.

The Bookshop is called Ceathrú Poilí (Kah-ru Polly).

Cultúrlann MacAdam/Ó Fiaich

216 Falls Road
Belfast
County Antrim
BT12 6AH
[t] 028 9023 9303
[t] 028 9023 9304
[e] [email protected]

by Michael McGroarty Fri May 30, 2003 03:15 mcgroarty.1 at netzero dot net

Yes, it is absurd to critcize the IRA without a minimal acknowledement of the terrorism of the British Empire. The same goes with the PLO, however flawed, with respect to Israel. I'm an American of Irish descent. I'd like to learn Irish Gaelic. Does anyone recommend a site to purchase tapes. I don't want to take an online course. And advice?

by MG Thu May 29, 2003 13:14

Could you possibly explain how the IRA could return to the "armalite/ballot box" strategy when the British Government has cancelled the election?

If you can't write something intelligent, don't write anything at all...

by Mike Thu May 29, 2003 12:58 stepbystepfarm at shaysnet dot com

But it's irrelevant whether the arms had been put verifiably beyond use because new ones could be obtained. But let me ask you something, and be honest with yourself in how you answer. WHY do you see what is happening as THEIR choice to use weapons to settle things rather than the ballot? Exactly who here is making the choice that ballots will not be used? Who has decided that their interests are better served, that their side more likely of victory, if it's decided by force of arms?

Now I personally do NOT think the only (or best) alternative to struggle when the ballot is denied is "guns" -- there ARE other methods possible. But the issue at hand isn't MY preferred tactics but the moral justification of somebody who DOES choose to pick up the gun. In other words, what precisely can I say to them. Certainly NOT "you should instead fight by the ballot rather than the bullet".

BTW --- As an "outsider" I did not put this here as specific to the situation in Ireland. It's a GENERAL moral issue in social conflict when one side or the other decides that "democratic" means will not be available.

by o as if Thu May 29, 2003 11:13

the problem with elections is that they give unwarranted legitamacy to the beurocratic institutions of the modern state, what exactly this has to do with the aims of inclusion and participation of the people by the agencies that rule them I have no idea, @ least when you are not allowed to vote, you find something else meaningful to do with your time, and your posters...

by Justin Moran - Sinn Fein Thu May 29, 2003 11:01 maigh_nuad at yahoo dot com

Sinn Féin activists in Dublin were leafleting commuters at train stations and in the city centre. A protest is currently taking place outside Leinster House.

Pickets are also being staged in Dublin along major thoroughfares and in Navan, Drogheda, Dundalk, Longford, Mullingar, Kinnegad, New Ross, Kilkenny city, Naas, Carlow, Enniscorthy, Wicklow and Bray.

Protests were also planned in Cork city, Clonakilty, Mallow, Waterford, Tralee, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Westport, Ballina, Charlestown, Castlebar and Sligo.

by Pat Ryan Thu May 29, 2003 10:39

Given the old twin strategy of "the ballot box in one hand and the armalite in the other" does the cancellation of elections mean Sinn Féin is going back to its favourite strategy, especially since you haven't put your guns verifiably beyond use?

by Sean Thu May 29, 2003 10:15

Ar an drochuair níl mé in ann bheith libh inniu chun tacaíocht fhisiciúil a thabhairt daoibh nó tá mé thar sáile.

Mholfainn go mór do éinne a gcreideann gur chóir an daonlathas a chosaint in Éirinn dul agus tacaíocht a thabhairt do na h-agóidí atá a reachtáil ar fud na tíre, fiú muna bhfuil tú i do bhall d'aon pháirtí.

Tá súil agam go n-éiríonn go mór libh!

En solidaridad con los Irlandeses quienes defienden la libertad y la democracia.

Euskal Herria.