RSF to hold demonstration against Loyalist march

by SAOIRSE Thu Feb 23, 2006 21:51

From this month's edition of SAOIRSE:

Oppose Loyalist March

SAOIRSE calls on all true Republicans to oppose the loyalist march due to take place through the centre of Dublin on Saturday, February 25.
This call is made for three reasons:

1) One body sponsoring the march, FAIR (Families Acting for Innocent Relatives) claims for loyalists a near monopoly on suffering in Ireland since the mid-1960s. This is not in accordance with the facts.
In the struggle for the national liberation of Ireland over the past several decades, over 1,000 members of the British Occupation Forces were killed. Further, more than 1,000 innocent and uninvolved nationalists were deliberately done to death by loyalist death squads working in collusion with the British forces.
The Sunday Business Post of September 4, 2005 gave the following statistics: “Of the 698 Protestants (sic) killed during violence in the North, 340 died at the hands of loyalists. Since the first ceasefires in 1994, the vast majority of Protestant (sic) victims have been killed by loyalists in internecine feuds.”
It would appear then that FAIR should be marching on the UDA and UVF headquarters in Belfast rather than through the centre of Dublin to Leinster House. In their progress through O’Connell Street, they will pass by Sackville Place (by the side of Clery’s department store) where two CIE busmen were killed by loyalist no-warning bombs in December 1972. Will FAIR pause at that spot and pay respects?
To highlight the fact that there is no hierarchy in suffering, Republican Sinn Féin’s President, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh will, before the loyalist march moves off, lay a wreath at the end of Talbot Street – opposite Connolly station – at the memorial to the 33 innocent victims, both Catholic and Protestant, killed by loyalist bombs in Dublin and Monaghan on May 17, 1974. This will be done with respect and dignity.
Listed on page three in this issue are the names of another 13 victims killed by loyalists south of the Border from Donegal to Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. British forces colluded in these deaths also, and refused 30 years later to cooperate in inquiries into the tragedies.
In the 26 Counties, the Department of Justice “lost” the files relating to these victims of imperialism and Garda Headquarters “mislaid” their files also. It seems the lives of citizens counted for very little.

2) The second reason for opposing the march is that Republicans stand in solidarity with the beleaguered nationalists of the Garvaghy Road, Ardoyne, Dunloy and other such areas that have had triumphalist loyalist marches imposed on them forcefully year after year. They are made witnesses of their own humiliation.
The 26-County Administration, by collaborating with this loyalist march, has effectively turned its back on all those, north and south, who have suffered at the hands of British-backed death squads down the decades.
The question which has not been asked in this debate is whether nationalist parades, of whatever kind, or even Civil Rights marches would be allowed through the centre of Portadown or down Belfast’s Royal Avenue? The British forces would certainly block them.
When the British government finally leaves Ireland and loyalist marches will no longer be a question of supremacy of Unionists over Nationalists, then all interests will be welcome and free to parade wherever they choose.
Reference has been made to the Orange section of the Irish National Tricolour. This applies to the Irish Protestant population, in general, not all of whom are coat-trailing Orangemen.
When he brought the Irish Tricolour from Paris and presented it as a symbol of inclusivity to the Irish people on April 15, 1848, Thomas Francis Meagher said:
“The White in the centre signifies a lasting truce between the Orange and the Green, and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood.
“If this flag is destined to fan the flames of war, let England behold once more, upon that white centre, the Red Hand that struck her down from the hills of Ulster.”
Before the loyalist march on February 25, Republican Sinn Féin will assemble at the Parnell monument at the top of O’Connell Street beneath a banner which bears the immortal words of Wolfe Tone, the Father of Irish Republicanism:
“Unite Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter” … “To Break the Connection with England.”
The pamphlet “An Address to the People of Ireland” which “makes special appeal to the people of the Unionist persuasion” will be distributed. The text includes an appeal “to everybody to consider again our ÉIRE NUA programme for a four-province federal Ireland, with optimum devolution of powers down to community level”.
ÉIRE NUA concludes: “These proposals are not definitive; they can and inevitably will be modified. Sinn Féin Poblachtach would in fact welcome constructive criticism of these proposals.”

3) The third reason to oppose this loyalist march is clear. For some time now the 26-County State Establishment has sought to bring the Queen of England on an official state visit to Dublin.
Remember this crowned head claims to be “Queen of Northern Ireland” as well as of “Great Britain”. Such a personage making such a claim has not been seen in Dublin for 95 years – since 1911.
The proposed loyalist march is very definitely part of a softening-up process for an Official Visit to Dublin by an English Queen claiming part of Ireland. The like has not been seen since Partition in 1921.
And now, on the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising, the siren voices tell Republicans to ignore this loyalist march. If we do, they will return with even greater insistence and tell us to ignore the state Visit of the Queen of England.
In other words, to stay away, make no protest, and accept finally that the Six Occupied Counties belong to England. Is that what you want?
NEVER.

by B Thu Feb 23, 2006 22:27

Have to say I'm not usually a supporter of RSF. But the above post makes clear and concise points as to why this Parade should be stopped. It those not represent the Protestant people and the Leader of The Dublin/Wicklow Orange order has said he finds it embarresing. I'm not alligined to any group but I will be there on Saturday. What other groups are protestng and what are the expected numbers..

by splitting hairs. Thu Feb 23, 2006 23:09

display a link to "england" or to "scotland"? are they saying "england" owns the six counties? or scotland? or anglo-saxon global capitalist interests?

by nitty gritty Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:31

what do they mean? is that lead as in "leader of a rump faction of micro-nationalists who rejected constitutional involvement, parliamentary elections in both states on the island, and takers every opportunity to post on indymedia ireland"?
or does it mean he will lace a bunch of flowers with heavy metal?
I suppose there'l be pictures. If he looks challenged by the weight of said flowers then we many presume its the metal. If he's looking self-important, I'll presume its the abstentionist rump. Odd to see the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings used in such a way, and worse reduced to their religious affiliation in life. I wonder have their surviving relations been asked how they feel about this "leader / lead" bunch of flowers.

by Socialist Republican Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:38

Others will be gathering at the GPO at 11.30 am. The Loyalist march only kicks off at 12 noon.

by chopsticks & curry chips Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:45

as we all know rsf want a 4 province federation with parliament in each province and a asymetrical federal relationship between all. Under such an arrangement it would seem very odd if the orange order didn't get to march in the capital of the province where they are mostly found, and at least once a century didn't get a chance to march in the city where they were founded - Dublin.
It would also be a state where rsf didn't just attempt to manipulate terrorism and the feelings of victims of terror on one side of the border e.g. Dublin and Monaghan because that would be in an ironic way a recognition of partition.

But my point as a nigerian migrant to Ireland (educated at an anglican school though of muslim background, is that someday Ireland's tricolour really ought not have the green white and orange symbolising peace between the two traditions of nationalism and unionism but rather should look just like the flag of my own country. Green White and Green. Heck! you could all the way and copy Libya or Saudi Arabia and just have one big green flag!

I hope my suggestions are taken on board. I really want to be integrated and learn your ways and customs and jokes and hope my children grow up with your globally admired virtues of forgiveness, tolerance and colour parties.

a proposed flag for the asymetrical united republic of celtic nations without states or religious minorities

by Sharon Fri Feb 24, 2006 16:29

"what do they mean? is that lead as in "leader of a rump faction of micro-nationalists who rejected constitutional involvement, parliamentary elections in both states on the island, and takers every opportunity to post on indymedia ireland"?
or does it mean he will lace a bunch of flowers with heavy metal?
I suppose there'l be pictures. If he looks challenged by the weight of said flowers then we many presume its the metal. If he's looking self-important, I'll presume its the abstentionist rump. Odd to see the victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings used in such a way, and worse reduced to their religious affiliation in life. I wonder have their surviving relations been asked how they feel about this "leader / lead" bunch of flowers."

Ooops ... !

Sharon .

by Limerick1919 Sat Feb 25, 2006 14:01 limerick1919 at gmail dot com

It is 1.00Saturday I can not be in Dublin- I log onto indymedia for updates, instead there is nothing

Interesting
and disappointing

by mad mike Sat Feb 25, 2006 14:19

Suprise suprise, the FAIR chappies are still on the bus and the chuckies are rioting in O'Connell street (how he'd approve - NOT), the CIRA have issued two bomb warnings, the riot police are getting stoned.

by redjade Sat Feb 25, 2006 14:24

chopsticks & curry chips said: '...someday Ireland's tricolour really ought not have the green white and orange symbolising peace between the two traditions of nationalism and unionism but rather should look just like the flag of my own country'

Ha! funny I've often thought the same while sitting in RAR meetings :-)

But why stop there? Why not ask the Orangeys to display solidarity with asylum seekers in Ireland (North and South) from Cote d'Ivoire? After all, Orange comes first in some parts of Africa too.

———
I still say, 'Joke 'em - if they can't take a fuck'
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/73452#comment131660

the flag of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast for yous English Speakers!)

by Peter Sat Feb 25, 2006 14:26

Can you update us more on this? Its not on any news as of yet....

by dunk Sat Feb 25, 2006 14:29

Protestors pelt gardai as 'Love Ulster' march begins
13:16 Protestors at the Love Ulster Parade threw missiles at gardaí and attempted to remove safety barriers on Dublin's O'Connell Street this afternoon. Gardaí in riot gear were deployed amid a hail of glasses, wood and other implements. Participants in the parade were kept away from the route as gardai worked to restore order.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2006/0225/ind...48258

by Peter Sat Feb 25, 2006 14:33

Is there any update on these?

by Ciaran Sat Feb 25, 2006 15:25

thinking of heading into city to check it out. worth my while?

by Cara Sat Feb 25, 2006 15:45

No it has been called off, and the love ulster folk are on their buses back uo the road!

by ordinary dubliner Sat Feb 25, 2006 19:51

is a term for a tactic developed by ETA where young kids are sent out to the street to burn cars & banks by old soldiers who talk about laying wreaths. And ordinary people are terrorised.
Ordinary people don't leave their homes, ordinary people don't have shops the next day, ordinary people wonder who the fuck sent our young people from apoliticisation out to ruck

If you take the fascists out of both nationalism and unionism and you find peace. Until that day you will continue to live in terror. & not one on either side can say that today people were not terrorised.
& not one on either side can say the victims "catholic and protestant" of the Dublin bombings and their families have seen their suffering and terror acknowledged. Instead the terrorist on both sides want to continue fighting with new kids on your block. Time to ask -
"does this help us and our movements and our protests and our organisation and our networking and our relationship to the state?"

in memory of the victims of the dublin bombings? "no hierarchy to terror"?

by phil Sat Feb 25, 2006 22:24

Do you really think RSF are able to muster 500 kids out into the streets of Dublin? RSF held a peaceful protest.. The blame lay with the politicians who gave this rightly controversial and unwanted parade their go ahead.

those rioting would ve been there even if RSF didnt exist! it was loveulster and the state's buffoonery which brought those kids out onto the streets, not RSF.

by De Burca U - Citizen of the Irish Republic Sat Feb 25, 2006 23:19

Today's riot in Dublin will have long lasting repercussions: The Irish People will start to wake up to the fact that there are a small minority of people in our midst who are dead set against their opponents having free speech and will use violence and intimidation to enforce their will on us. I would advise RSF and IRSP to hide their money and finances because many people will be coming after them with civil suits for damages because of what they have inflicited on us today. I beleive the city centre traders are at this moment taking legal advice as are the Garda Representative Body. Goodbye and good luck.
ps. having the word Socialist in your nomenclature doesn't make you a Socialist (see: NSDAP [Nazis to those of you who don't know...]) How's this for a juxtaposition:
IRISH NATIONAL liberation army irish republican SOCIALIST PARTY .....it all makes sense in the end

by McDowell Fancier Sat Feb 25, 2006 23:32

Today's riot in Dublin will have long lasting repercussions I hope so. One good thing that might come out of it is the resignation of McDowell. If he's not able to provide proper containment of a small crowd and make plans well in advance (and I believe that he's very capable of it and chose not to) then he's not much use. Call for McDowell's resignation now. (Hopefully the traders will be able to sue the government for not providing them with proper protection).

by Ag Crith le hEagla Sun Feb 26, 2006 00:51

De Burca are you a defender of a nation of shopkeepers or a nation of citizens? You call youself a citizen so I was just curious. Like the Mohammed cartoon protests (of which i'm surprised have not been drawn into any arguments yet) there are 'limits' to freedom of speech as a 'derogatory human right'. It is not absolute in any western state including Ireland. Shopkeepers rights will therefore probably not prevent protests in the future, thankfully. Nor for that matter the GRA. We live in a democracy in case you didn't realise and the freedom to shop (while an important freedom no doubt) does not derogate a citizen's right to protest against a blatantly sectarian group of marchers who seek to discriminated and provoke. You say:

The Irish People will start to wake up to the fact that there are a small minority of people in our midst who are dead set against their opponents having free speech and will use violence and intimidation to enforce their will on us

What about the Orange Order who have been and are still "dead set" against autonomy and independence for nationalist and Catholics in the north. What about the violence and intimidation the OO have inflicted on residents in Catholic neighbourhoods over the decades for which they have never apologised? What about the OO who try to 'enforce their will on us' according to Catholic neighbourhoods in Garvaghy. We have a right to protest against intolerance. This march should 'never' have been allowed. Both for the 'rights' of others and for the rights of Dubliners not to have to witness large scale chaos on our streets.

To draw an analogy, Mary McAleese and this government have decried 'our nation's' disgust at the publishing of Mohammed cartoons (where did they get that info from anyway) and yet will allow sectarian and insensitive political propaganda to parade with welcome arms in our capital. Fair play to the RSF (who I don't support politically) for having the guts to stand up for the sensitivities of the nationalist community in the north, the 'other victims' on the Nationalist side, Irish citizens who were victims of the Dublin bombins, and decent law-abiding citizens in this part of the island.

Shopkeepers unite and throw off your chains....! The Gardai will protect you.

by Larry Sun Feb 26, 2006 00:55

Hopefully the traders will also sue the contractors who have been taking an excessively long time to lay a few paving stones in O'Connell Street, and who left their stuff all over the place. I'm surprised most of their equipment was not stolen months ago. It was absolutely obvious that their building materials would be used when (not if) disorder began.
And yes, McDowell MUST go. He is the main person with responsibility for public order. It was sticking out a mile that there would be disorder if the Loyalists marched through Dublin. If the government were thinking clearly they would never have given him the post of minister of justice. Or minister of anything else for that matter.

by De Burca U - Irish Citizen Sun Feb 26, 2006 01:24

Ref the comments by Ag Crith le hEagla:
To all those who truly wish for a United Ireland (and that includes me) there is only one way it will come about: We must stop pushing and demanding that Unionists surrender - that only strengthens them! It's simple human psychology: if you try to force someone to do something against their will they will dig in and get more and more intransigent.
You cannot make a member of the opposite sex marry you by demanding or threatening - no one in the world, from whatever culture, tries that tactic - you must be friendly and woo them....maybe even play hard to get!
So, all you vocal and verbal and forceful United Irelanders, or Ultra Nationalists look in the mirror and see who is the main force keeping a United Ireland from happening. Just relax, smile, have more sex, stop putting on silly uniforms, have more holidays, and a United Ireland will surely happen pretty soon (but you would have to give up your passion for political activism and militarism - can you handle the peace?)

by Barry Sun Feb 26, 2006 01:42

" Suprise suprise, the FAIR chappies are still on the bus and the chuckies are rioting in O'Connell street (how he'd approve - NOT), the CIRA have issued two bomb warnings, the riot police are getting stoned. "

Obviously the riot police thought it was the Loveparade and chilled out beforehand .

by Dr.Nightdub Sun Feb 26, 2006 02:47

Personally, I don't see much point in calling for McDowell's head on a pointy stick, there's plenty more wannabe Gauleiters more than willing to take on his job. However, I would like to see him and the Garda Commissioner be made sweep up O'Connell St with toothbrushes for their idiocy today.

Push potential rioters back towards the biggest ammo dump ever seen in urban disorder in Dublin? Bright move. We definitely need more cops on the beat in O'Connell St - just think, on Friday night, one of them might've spotted all the builders' materials lying about and thought "Uh oh, danger Will Robinson".

What were they gonna do today, batter a route clear for the march all the way up to Leinster House? FFS, these are the same cops who are unable to keep Bohs and Rovers fans apart. They may's well have put up signs in O'Connell St saying "Riot materials here! All stock must go! Please form an orderly queue, there's plenty for everyone".

As for "a risen people"? Gimme a break. Unless the anti-globalisation movement has suddenly decided that it's cool to wear Nike , Adidas and iffy Burberry products after all, it was simply a big crowd of youf who have plenty of valid reasons not to admire An Garda Siochana having a pop back. Probably the most fun they've had on a Saturday afternooon in years, but I doubt if it'll signal any great raising of general consciousness. RSF may pick up a few new foot-soldiers and that'll be the height of it.

Give it a week and the whole thing will start sliding gently into history, unless McDowell uses the opportunity to declare martial law or something. Unfortunately, all today has done is play into the hands of the bad guys, they could have a field day with this.

by Ag Crith le hEagla Sun Feb 26, 2006 15:34

Reply to De Burca

Have More Sex.

According to the birth statistics up North maybe the Orange Order could persuade their own communities to endulge a bit more (reminds me of that very good Monty Python sketch on the Protestant v. Catholic sexual practices!). Would that be a way for them to chill out? I don't think the "Love Parade" was trying to get that message across somehow! However the Orange Order are good at breeding intolerance when they want to.

I don't know what the answer is. The Belfast Agreement is about the sexiest thing we have to sort the whole 'affair' out. And the Gardai definitely need more protection....! Alternatively turn the whole of northern Ireland into a monastery.

by max Mon Feb 27, 2006 07:49

the only sensible person on this thread!