Belfast anti war rally speakers confirmed

national | miscellaneous | news report

Sunday February 09, 2003 16:30

by Davy Carlin W/Belfast SWP

The coalition calls for a mass demo

This historic anti war march and rally in Belfast has now agreed and confirmed its speakers

On feb 15th Belfast could see the largest such anti war demo that Belfast has ever seen. Backed by the ICTU {Northern Committee}, numerous trade unions, trades union councils and political organisations. It has also been supported by scores of community, womens, ethnic minority and youth groups and much more all across the North. It is one of the {if not the} largest ever such coalition seen against such war in the North.

The speakers now agreed and confirmed for this historic march are as follows:

A joint statement to be read out on behalf of the churches.

SPEAKERS:

1 Peter Bunting {ICTU]
2 Mairead Maguire
3 School Students Against War SSAW {newly formed cross community anti war group}
4 Jamal Iweida { Islamic Centre}
5 Eamonn McCann

Loads of activity is still on going. On Monday in South Belfast Monica McWilliams {Womens Coalition], School Students Against The War {SSAW}, ICTU and some one from the Muslim community are to host a meeting. Tonight in West Belfast there is an anti war fund raiser. In North Belfast there is both a meeting and fundraiser, in East a meeting is being arranged. SSAW have organised a banner making day and poster runs and stalls are being arranged every day this week. This and much more. I hope people can get active and help out.

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Comments (10 of 10)

Don't publish comments as articles

by Ray - IMC

Tue Feb 11, 2003 12:09

To he who speaks for the masses
by There is always one Tue, Feb 11 2003, 9:51am
Mickey launches the anti war movement

'Good to see mickey mouse groups like SWP doing anti war activites in belfast'. SWP with a few others launched the belfast anti war movement then when they had a broad platform of trade unions, community and political organisations with the march looking several hundred big they then decided to broaden it even further to bring ICTU on board and to establish a coalition which could see the biggest anti war rally in befast's history. If no mickey mouse SWP then no anti war movement then no anti war coalition just a few people doing a few individual things as usual.By the way what are you doing about the war?

what is SF doing in Belfast ?

by aunty waugh

Tue Feb 11, 2003 00:22

Ok it is good that mickey mouse groups such as the swp and the sp are organising anti war activities in Belfast. But what are groups with a mass membership such as Sinn Fein doing there?

Pat c - a comradely reply to comradely question

Mon Feb 10, 2003 19:12

Pat, actions are planned and although we have a broad coalition the bulk of the ground work is falling onto a number of groups and organisations who are tying their best to co-ordinate many actions. The immediate priority has been to build a broad coalition and a mass rally from where we can build larger forces so to have more impact and hopefully sucesses on whatever actions we decide. The issue of the barracks I am glad you understand the political sensitivities but that issue will be raised amongst the debate as we have had many calls to have actions at many other places including the one raised. All of which will and is being discussed, debated and will be prioritised in coming times by those activists involved. Once again I would urge others to get active and help out as the more people we have on the ground the more we can do. I hope this answers your query Pat c

Sean

by pat c

Mon Feb 10, 2003 16:35

I think you are going a bit over the top here. I agree that the Blair/Ahern meeting should be picketed & I'd be surprised if the IAWM or SWP passed up on this opportunity.

On the question of picketing British Army bases, I relise that there are sensitivities. Because of where they live, it could be dangerous for some people to be seen to protest at such bases.

However that is not an excuse for totally avoiding any discussion of the issue. It has been raised on numerous occasions on Indy without any response from SWP, SP or IAWM.

Some people raise it to score points but it is a legitimate topic. As an Anti War activist, I wish to raise it in a comradely manner.

Comment posted as article

by Ray

Mon Feb 10, 2003 15:35

Answer to Mark SWP reformists
by sean smyth - none Mon, Feb 10 2003, 1:23pm
Blair to visit Northern Ireland this week.
Mark “SWP” Blair and Ahearn will be at Hillsborough Castle on the 13th. now you know the date and the venue will the Anti-War movement, SWP be holding any protests are is to radical for the reformers in the SWP. And why wont you hold any protest at British army bases, if the ICTU are supporting the Anti-War movement why don’t they call on trade unionists to boycott army bases Talk is cheap were is the action to back it up. The SWP have sold out and are trying to become acceptable to the trade unions, you can now take the RED FLAG down for you have brought on it nothing but shame, It will never belong to reformists

Why do the SWP & SP ignore questions about picketing British Military Bases

by Eh?

Mon Feb 10, 2003 13:59

in the North?

Mark / SWP

by Magneto

Mon Feb 10, 2003 11:16

Any plans for demos at RIR or other British Forces bases?

Blair

by Mark Hewitt - SWP

Sun Feb 09, 2003 22:00

What are the details, Sean?

blair in belfast

by sean smyth - colombian trade unionists solidarity campaign

Sun Feb 09, 2003 20:00

Bushes puppet Blair will be in Belfast this week, any plans to hold protests.
When Bush attacks IRAQ all students should led the way and go on strike the day after they attack, remember Paris “students led the way” No blood for oil.

RIR

Sun Feb 09, 2003 17:22

Davy

The RIR will be involved in any war, as part of the spearhead Brit Airborne Brigade.

Any plans to picket their HQ?

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Belfast anti war rally speakers confirmed

Comments (10 of 10)