Free Water Charges Protestor Stephen Bennett

dublin | bin tax / household tax / water tax | press release Tuesday June 23, 2015 23:39 by 1 of Indymedia

Solidarity Times - Free the Media, Be the Media

The Solidarity Times facebook page is reported today that Water charges protestor Stephen Bennett is being sent to prison. Here is their report.

The Water charges protester Stephen Bennett will be in jail for one month tomorrow. He was not convicted of anything, instead the courts attempted to impose 'protest ban' bail conditions which he has continued to refuse to accept. All sections of the water charges movements should be demanding Stephens immediate and unconditional release.

"To my Friends, Comrades and to the Irish Water movement. I send this message of solidarity from my cell in Cloverhill prison, where I have been since May 20th.

The Irish state prevents me from my right to protest. While the high court has granted me restrictive bail, it would be at the cost of surrendering my Fundamental, Political and Civil rights. I can not accept this as it would kill my revolutionary spirit, so I am forced to stay here in prison until I can appeal the bail, or until my hearing at the Criminal Court of Justice on the 22nd of July in Dublin City.

I also want to say loud and clear without hesitation that our struggle is morale, ethical and just and that our form of protest, non-violent Direct action is successful at preventing the Meter installations and drawing wider public attention and to our protest raising the profile of our opinions in the national debate, that has helped build our movement today.

I would encourage you all to continue to build on what has been achieved so far, people and communities standing shoulder to shoulder against the bullies and building a non-violent leaderless resistance movement that is capable of defeating not just the water charges, but winning any issue we choose to fight.

It is of absolute importance that this Movement stays in control of the people and is unaffiliated with any political party or to be used by cynically those who only want to gain your vote in the election.
We need a Movement that will fight not just this government but
any future government, all politicians should fear people.

Power to the People!"