Richard Boyd Barrett says Mar1 will 'fizzle out' on RTE Morning Ireland

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday February 28, 2003 09:34 by path in exile - NO ORGANISATION - NON ALIGNED rhizomix at dublin dot com the BLANCH M50 exit - spiritual homeland of the oppressed

Richard Boyd Barrett interviewed on RTE's Morning Ireland about 45 mins ago.

Richard Boyd Barrett spoke about the March 1st Shannon Protest on RTE's Morning Ireland today. The interview was in response to "raised concerns" that the "threat of violence" would overshadow the anti war movement's message.

Boyd Barrett claimed not to speak for the Grassroots Network Against War, but did predict that only a "small number of people would get even close to the fence, and it will fizzle out fairly quickly".

When asked whether he approved of the direct action protest or not, Boyd Barrett refused to either support or condemn it, saying that he felt the way to further the anti war movement was to get larger numbers to protest in future demonstrations.

Boyd Barrett also said that it was not anyone's place in the antiwar movement to condemn any other part of the antiwar movement, yet then went on to describe GNAW as a "very small, badly organised group."

The RTE presenter claimed the antiwar movement was in "disarray", quoting the Peace And Neutrality Alliance, as well as two unsourced remarks on an unnamed "website".

Boyd Barrett also said that the proposed action of tearing down the fence paled into insignificance when compared with the violence of war. The Government had failed to listen to the people's protest on February 15th and was continuing to allow the airport as a refuelling base.