The trip announced at the last minute left Irish anti-war activists scrambling to organise, nevertheless two days of protests occurred across the province. In Derry the famous “you are now entering free Derry” mural was covered in protest at Bush's presence. A large demo called for on Monday night was attended by protestors from across the UK and Ireland. The summit and demo were held under the shadow of bomb threats, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. A massive PSNI, Military, and secret service operation threw a security cordon of a three mile “sterile zone” around Hillsborough and Stormount Castles. Despite this, a small group of anti war demonstrators made it to within 100 ft of the castle.

Audio and Video from protest on 7th (1) (2)

On Tuesday, a large demonstration of civil disobedience took place in Belfast city centre. Heavily policed by one of the toughest forces in Western Europe, the protest blocked traffic for over an hour, before being broken up with accusations of unnecessary use of force by the PSNI.

Photos (1) (2)

As for the summit, the terms for the administration of post-war Iraq were discussed. Sinn Fein, who play an active role in the Irish anti-war movement, defended their decision to take part in separate talks about the future of the Irish peace process, but came under heavy criticism from other republicans for doing so. Meanwhile, strong doubts were raised about whether this US administration had any real interest in our peace process, suggesting that this was all just suitable window dressing for Blair and Bush’s “Peace Summit”.

The IAWM Dail blockade last night was the occasion for the first direct confrontation between protestors and Gardai in the capital since the start of the second Gulf War. The Public Order Unit moved in in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Using non violent resistance, some protestors blockaded the front entrance to Dail Eireann in protest at our government's involvement in the war on Iraq. Ugly scenes at the demo included the hospitalisation of two protestors. The protest finished when the Public Order Unit retreated, after negotiations with IAWM leaders and left-wing TDs. Fr Iggy Donovan, a long-standing peace activist, condemned the protestors' behaviour on RTE Radio 1, while the Minister for Justice defended the police tactics. Images of Socialist TD Joe Higgins being manhandled by Gardaí were transmitted on RTE.

Meanwhile former Army Commander Edward Horgan today started his high court appeal against the government's continued policy of allowing the US military to use Irish facilities. The challenge argues that this policy is a breach of the Irish constitution, and is being followed closely by mainstream media.

Video from the Protest 1, 2, 3 / Audio 1 / Pictures 1, 2

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Whilst doing their bit for the global antiwar movement, the Irish West Papua campaigns are stepping up a gear for justice in forgotten West Papua. West Papua, rich in resources like Iraq, has been the victim of colonial greed for decades. First occupied by the Dutch, it was then invaded by the Indonesians in 60s as the UN watched on. Western consumerism's material demand has encouraged global mining giants such as BP and Freeport McMoran to exploit the country's resources, causing widespread human rights and environmental abuses. The U.S has also renewed funding to the Indonesian military despite the horrors of East Timor.

A recent Dail debate saw the Greens spokesperson for foreign affairs, John Gormley challenge the government's position on the discredited UN Act of Free Choice, which legitimised Indonesia's invasion. Up to 300,000 (approx 20%) have since died. The Minister, Mr Cowan claimed that there is no significant international support for reviewing the act.

However Irish activists intend to step up their pressure on the government and will continue to expose the human rights, corporate, environmental and cultural abuses in West Papua. This weekend will see Papuan tribesman Sem Karoba lead the One Big Tribe festival in Maynooth which seeks to raise awareness and encourage action for Papuan and global justice.

Also in attendance will be The Hothouse Flowers, Sampari Papuan dancers and speakers from the Catholic Worker movement and other activist groups.

One Big Tribe festival
West Papua Support Group
West Papua Action
Friends of People Close to Nature
New Internationalist - West Papua edition

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With anti-war activists deploying a wide range of tactics ( 1 ) ( 2 ), talk of March 17th as the latest deadline for Iraqi disarmament has seen calls for a St. Patrick's Day protest ( 2 ).

Ranging from suggestions of Leprechauns for Peace and cursing the shamrock, to wearing black on Patrick's Day, the idea has some official sanction in Ireland after Dublin City Council voted to fly white flags for peace along the Liffey over the Festival weekend.

In an attempt to influence American public opinion in advance of the March 17th deadline, a diverse group of Irish peace activists has issued a call for people around the world to wear or display white during St. Patrick's Day activities as a symbol of peace. The St. Patrick's Day Peace Group is also calling for the Irish peace process to be be used as a model for conflict resolution in the Iraqi crisis.

Celebrated in the United States since 1737, St. Patrick's Day has a profile extending well beyond the 40 million politically powerful Irish Americans and has long been used for political purposes.

Lá 'le Pádraig, lá i leith síochán

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