While Fianna Fail were facing growing pressure over the Bin-Tax in Dublin another facet of their misrule and abuse of the public trust was being exposed at their Ard Fheis in Killarney: approximately 30 protestors reminded the delegates that the craven abuse of our neutrality in the service of an illegal war is not an issue that is going to be forgotten.

The activists surrounded the Gleneagle Hotel so that it was impossible to pass through any of the three exits without being faced with a vocal and immediate challenge. Attempts were made by the Gardai to intimidate these representatives of the huge public opposition to prostituting Ireland to the US war machine. The protestors remained steadfast in maintaining their right to protest despite the arrest of one of their number.

The relatively low numbers for this demonstration have led some to question what is going on with the Irish anti-war community, with activists in general and with the population at large.

(photo: Eoin Rice is arrested for walking on the grass in Killarney)

View previous anti-war features More Photos from Killarney: 1 2 3 4
Watch a video of the demonstration (c. 50Mb Quicktime format)

FROM THE NEWSWIRE:

"In the light of today’s decision to jail ten Anti Bin Tax campaigners, the Fingal Anti Bin Tax Campaign calls for Saturday’s Dublin Council of Trade Unions Anti Bin Tax - Anti Jailings demonstration (Assemble 12 noon Parnell Square and march to Mountyjoy Jail) to be made into a massive show of opposition. We call on the trade union movement to pull out all the stops to ensure this is the case. We call on ordinary people the length and breadth of the country to travel up to join this protest.

To jail ordinary residents for a peaceful protest on their own streets while millionaire crooks and tax evading T.D.’s go free shows the massive double standard in the legal system in this country.

The ten jailings, mothers and grandmothers among them, represents the most significant attack on the right to protest seen in this country in a generation. In particular, they represent an attack on the right of working class people to protest- farmers, middle class professionals and other sections of society would never to treated in this way.

Saturday’s protest will be an anti- Government protest. This Government made the laws, this Government promoted the bin tax; they will suffer very real consequences as a result of the jailings today."

Initial Reactions from groups involved in the campaign
Opinion: Acts of Resistance and The Bin-Tax
Dublin Council of Trade Unions: Motion and Details of Saturday March

Yesterday (October 6th) at least 3 cases were heard arising out of the the 'Reclaim The Streets' demonstration of May 6th 2002...

Amazingly the people on trial were protestors, not Gardaí. Most people would probably be shocked to know that over a dozen protestors are still being pursued for public order offences on the day. These people, most of whom were beaten up by the police, have been forced to show up in court up to 10 times each over the last year and a half. Each time their case gets deferred for a few months, meaning more disruption, days off work and general hassle.

Considering the fact that, when questioned by the Garda Complaints Board inquiry, not a single policeman was able to remember the identity of a single officer present, we should ask how the hell they can continue these prosecutions which are all based on Garda testimony? The reason can only be a spiteful desire to harrass the people whom they had already assaulted.

Indymedia feature on May 6th
Reclaim The Streets Dublin

A meeting between several activists from several different local campaigns and political groups has called for a protest on Thursday evening at the Grangegorman depot, starting at 5 pm, during the city-centre commercial collection runs. This has since been endorsed by the steering committee. Campaign chairman, Dermot Connolly, announced it to an enthusiastic reception at the rally outside the Dail on Tuesday evening.

The government knows that opposition to the tax is so strong that they can't take on all areas at once. So they've started non-collection only in areas where the campaign is weak, slicing up the city like salami.

The campaign has responded by mounting solidarity blockades in areas where bins are still being collected. In the last 10 days there have been up to 20 blockades in areas such as Cabra, Stoneybatter, East Wall, Finglas, the Liberties, Crumlin, Ringsend and Harold's Cross.



Oct 31st Dail Bin-Tax Protest Photos and Report
While the Bins pile up in Fingal
South Finglas Blockade: Weds Oct 1st
Blockades Continue: Fingal and Knocklyon: Tue 30th Sept
Blockades Continue: High Court Prevaricates: Mon 29th Sept
The Campaign enters week four: Detailed Roundup of News: Sat 27th Sept

Mick O'Reilly and ATGWU strongly criticise Begg and ICTU on Bin Charges Stance
Reports from Dundrum/Ballybrack Meetings: 25th Sept
Discussion of Trade Unions and Bin Tax Campaign
Stoneybatter Solidarity Blockade Report: 25th Sept
Comprehensive series of reports on High Court proceedings: Weds 24 Sept

GARDAI HAVE arrested a further 12 anti-bin tax campaigners in Fingal. Three were arrested in Clonsilla and a further nine - including a husband and wife - were arrested in the Huntstown area. Two of those arrested appeared before the high court this afternoon, the rest are due to appear tomorrow. This is the latest Council manoeuvre against the Anti-Bin Tax Campaign. This follows the 5,000 strong solidarity demonstration outside Mountjoy Prison last night (Mon 22nd Sept), where Joe Higgins and Clare Daly are detained.

Recent Articles:
Mountjoy Rally Photos and Reports
Early Reports on Arrests
Bin Tax and Reclaim the Streets Protesters link up
Greens: Supporting the 'Bin Tax'?
Previous feature including Timeline of Events