Demonstrators challenge anonymous smear campaign against right to protest

dublin | summit mobilisations | press release

Friday March 26, 2004 15:19

by Dublin Grassroots Nework

One of the main groups organising protests against Dublin's EU summit in May has criticised an anonymous smear campaign aimed at undermining the right to protest. In a statement issued today, Dublin Grassroots said "For the past few weeks the national media has been drip-fed with anonymous allegations claiming that protestors are only interested in violence and destruction."

"These allegations are particularly bizarre given that the record of the last five years shows that violence at European protests has mostly come from the police, with one demonstrator shot dead and hundreds hospitalised, often due to injuries received after arrest.

This is also true in Ireland, where the last major 'riot' was carried out by police on Dame Street at a Reclaim the Streets party."

The statement notes that media reports consistently include the same mistakes, such as false allegations of links with the Kurdish PKK.

This suggests a single source aiming to raise fears and tensions and undermine the right to protest.

"The right to protest is a fundamental part of democracy, with roots deep in European history. It is particularly strange that the defenders of the EU consistently attack 'foreign protestors', as though other EU citizens and residents had no right to protest against EU meetings in Ireland."

A Dublin Grassroots spokesperson said, "We are disturbed by the anonymous nature of these allegations and wonder why their authors are afraid to stand up in public to defend their points of view. All of our meetings are held in public and announced on the Internet, and we have a range of spokespeople available to talk to the media and other interested bodies. We challenge those making these allegations either to put their name to them in public debate or to retract."

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Comments (18 of 18)

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opium,masses,social control, advertising revenue......

by Conor - SAucd

Fri Mar 26, 2004 15:48

Typical lazy bullshit writing by the sun/star/moon.

never mind the media. we have our own.

nice statement by the gn. a quick glance through history books should give us all reason enough to stay out any make it the best may day ever!

let worried "bertie", the 3 rd rate hacks, and our unrepresentative unions have their say in their horrible dirt rags.

the 1st rate hacks in the partisan broadsheets are the ones who deserve least respect. abdicating any social responiosbility under the guise of impartiality, their editors are the real enemy.

The Spectacle of Enlargement

by F

Fri Mar 26, 2004 16:21

The facade of the Fortress
An Audio-Visual come-on farce

I am not involved in this 'smear' campaign

by journalist

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:00

086 3426630

But I am currently researching your organisations, your ideologies, and your plans for Mayday.

There is another thread about 'corporate menace journalists' where this debate has been going on.

I have been in contact with, or contacted by, representatives of your organisations. However, I would like to hear from any people that might have something interesting to say. I would appreciate it if all callers were genuine, as they have been so far.

I am genuinely interested in independent, unbiased research that is neither naive, nor agenda-driven.

thanks

"journalist"

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:06

why not get out there and do some research, instead of sitting at home reading indymedia and asking for callers. go to meetings, read some books.

try something unique.

also: there is no such thing as "unbiased" coverage.

there is no man on the street.

and you will recieve payment for this research

by naivïté

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:07

to further the agenda of mortgage
and pensions funds
and biotech
and banking
and clothing
and food
and water?

How dare you come here now, and suggest you have no agenda. To our internet, to our places, thinking the same as yours.

for oyez oyez or naivite

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:16

You are one and the same person. This is not 'your place'. This is an independent website. I will not be drawn into an exchange of insults. If you want to say something to me, say it, my number is here.

by Ois

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:17

There is no man of the Street.

Ha.

That's my quote of the week. It's funny cos it's true.

for conor

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:18

Reading the internet is just a part of this research. I do read books, leaflets etc on the ideology. I don't prejudge you.... don't prejudge me

children, children

by cryptofascist

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:42

...simmer down and stop savaging the poor journalist. what has s/he done wrong? exhibited an emotional maturity reaching beyond your thirteen years? give the journo a buzz if you have anything to say, otherwise, give the rest of us a break, please.

journalist

by pc

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:47

why don't you look inaward at your own lot

to serve us in two ways by doing unbiased work on our idealogies and
why don't you rasie a ruckess in the nuj etc to see that both tabloid and so called "serious" journalist do there job better?would like to hear your thoughts on this

its like the cops, each individual swears there clean but they turn a blind eye to the colleagues screwing people left right and centre

for pc

Fri Mar 26, 2004 17:56

You make some good points, and I am not saying that they aren't valid. But please understand that I don't intend debating that on the web, It would just descend into a slagging match. I am not out to cause a ruckuss anywhere, I am not involved in anarchism, so I don't intend on serving anyone.

But you are right........ my research must look at both the behaviour of the media as well as the behaviour of anarchists. There are outlets in the mainstream press for this type of story if they are done correctly

ok fair point

Fri Mar 26, 2004 18:31

serve yourself and your proffesion by
highlighting the issue in your associations...

the lazy media is one of the main reason alternatives views don't get a fiar hearing....

as for the slagging don't take it personally
this is the web you know

getting ratty are we?

"

for conor
by journalist Friday, Mar 26 2004, 4:18pm

Reading the internet is just a part of this research. I do read books, leaflets etc on the ideology. I don't prejudge you.... don't prejudge me

"

i evaluated, i diddnt judge. anyhow, you expect the avant garde to ring you on your 086 number with opinions better formulated in books, better expressed in person, at the meetings, on the demos, in the blocades.

Journalist

by R Isible

Fri Mar 26, 2004 18:54

You have now made the same request for information on two threads. We have a policy against posting across threads. Please read the guidelines on how to use this community site (see link below). You are now spamming and derailing threads for your own personal benefit and either are ignorant of our guidelines (that is you haven't made any effort to research this site and how it operates) or else are selfishly ignoring those guidelines because you want "a story".

Please cut it out and please don't bother to reply on this thread any further. The purpose of the "comments" section below each story is for people to _add_ information about the newswire item.

R Isible

Fri Mar 26, 2004 19:38

Point taken. I will post my reply on the thread you gave me a link to

Headlines are an excuse for pre-emptive policing

by Uncle Bulgaria's Irish Cousin

Fri Mar 26, 2004 22:08

like this:
http://www.urban75.org/mayday01/001.html

I'd bet my bottom dollar the ultimate source of these cover stories in Star, Mirror and IoS is MIcko McD and the aim is to stop the protests before they begin by first isolating those who protest without permits and cutting down their numbers and second by creating a moral panic which will legitamize pre-emptive policing.

Protest Organisers need to really quickly make this ideologically driven and reckless (and expensive) scaremongering a public issue and make their case in the big media or this tactic is going to work. Press Releases on Indymedia and e-mailed to journos will not do the trick. More is required.

to uncle bulgaria

Fri Mar 26, 2004 22:15

Fair point.

How do you propose that the issue be brought into the 'big media'? (genuine question)

by fishing for luckies ?

Sat Mar 27, 2004 01:29

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Demonstrators challenge anonymous smear campaign against right to protest

Comments (18 of 18)