Derry; PSNI attempt intimidation of peaceful Raytheon vigil, children videotaped

by Hilary Quinn Sun Aug 13, 2006 18:51

That is ridiculous, the police have no right to seize someones property for taking photographs. I'm glad to hear that persons phone was not confiscated, but had it been, and had you sued, you would have won.
That is your private property, and you are absolutely allowed to photograph the police. If they are allowed to photograph you in that instance, then you obvoiusly have the right to photograph them back. Otherwise they are also doing something illegal right?
I hate to hear about this belief in the police force that they can tell people when and where to take photographs. Photography is NOT illegal. In any instance, no matter what the police say to you.

by Coilín Sun Aug 13, 2006 23:40

The PSNI in Derry, like the gardaí at Shannon, are apparently too preoccupied with their own political prejudices to do their jobs properly. Instead of investigating the criminal gangs who have conspired to murder thousands in the Middle East, they go around harrassing decent, peace-loving people who are demanding justice. A recurring theme is the attempted robbery of mobile phones, cameras, banners and other items of private property.

It's good to know that there are solid citizens around to put a stop to the anti-social and anti-democratic behaviour of the police.

Best,
Coilín.

by A decent parent Tue Aug 15, 2006 23:50

The heavy police presence was predictable after what happened there last Wednesday.
Makes me question the parential ability of anyone who would take their children to somewhere that had the potential to turn into a trouble flash-point, which in this case it very clearly had.
But there again some people feel the need to subject their children to this kind of danger as they can then use it to score brownie points and play the poor victim.
Pathetic!

by Statin' the Obvious. Wed Aug 16, 2006 08:33

So your white kidz are more significant than the brown ones under the rubble that Raytheon has unleashed on Lebanon, is that the story

Check out the magazine section of Tuesday's Guardian for the story of one Lebanese mother and her 3 kids buried alive by Israeli bombs. Just say your a "decent racist parent", drop the high moral tone and get back to shopping.

by Mary Kelly Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:35

Well done to all who attended the demo/carnival/vigil. Fair play for standing yer ground to the cops, and refusing to accept intimidation.Thats the way to do it!

Good that children attended, a real education and also a sign that this protest is for their future. In early days at Shannon protests there was much time wasted at organisational meetings about bringing children on the demos, and would it be "safe" for them. It took patience and skill to get the point accross that the Gardai and FBO, and the Irish army were the perpetrators of violence not the protestors who were there to try and prevent violence,

What has John Hume to say about his friends in Raytheon these days?

by John Hume Wed Aug 16, 2006 11:39

"Go home, you've made your point!

by Concerned Parent Wed Aug 16, 2006 15:15

Statin' the Obvious
You are very quick to brand people as racist, especially when you don't even know my ethnic background. What facts do you base your conclusions that I am a racist on?

Its sad that you have to resort to this kind of tactic in order undermine another persons point of view. You must be very insecure and a tad narrow minded to resort to doing so. Unfortunately its attitudes like this that have prolonged the conflict in Ireland for so long; not to mention in other places around the world; as it prevents people from talking and resolving their differences.

As for me personally I feel that what is going on in Lebanon is a disgrace and that the Israeli government should be pulled up on war crimes. I have no problem with the on-going protests against the Raytheons in this world as I feel they are very necessary to educate the people in what goes on and to sway the politicians into changing our society for the better. What I do have a problem with; professionally as well as personally as I am a social worker and working with kids is my thing; is people subjecting their kids to harmful or potentially dangerous situations. That makes me a racist?

A child’s mind is a very fragile thing. We have worked for so long with kids who were affected by the troubles to tried to undo the damage that has been done. What can seem fairly irrelevant to an adult can have a lasting and negative affect on a child. The last thing a child needs to see is their parents involved with a scuffle with the police and then dragged away kicking and screaming into a police car and leaving them on their own to be taken by people such as myself to be cared for. You have no idea of the terror they feel or the things that run through their little minds. and it stays there.

This is nothing short of child cruelty and any parent who would subject their child to this kind of thing or put them in a position to do so is completely irresponsible and needs to stop and think about what is best for their child instead of putting their own concerns first. A parents first responsibility is to their child and secondly to the world around them. Yes the two coincide but you can make this world a better place for your kids and make sure they are nurtured in the right way at the same time.

But there again I am only a racist as Statin' the Obvious informs me so what do I know?

by Caobhin Wed Aug 16, 2006 16:13

"Won't somebody please think of the children"

Get your facts right -if anyone put kids in danger it was the RUC/PSNI scum turning up mod-handed to intimidate a peaceful protest. If you really are a social worker you're the type that gives the profession a bad name. Using a false argument of cruelty to children against parents for bringing them to a protest is twisted and make it perfectly obvious where your real sympathies lie despite your sneaky attempt to impugn the protestors.

You're in the wrong profession- get a job with the o'reilly press where your lickspittle distortions will be well rewarded.

by Concerned parent (Yvonne) Fri Aug 18, 2006 13:19

Oh dear Caobhin. A very defensive response to my last comment. I must have pricked a nerve there.

>Get your facts right -if anyone put kids in danger it was the RUC/PSNI scum turning up mod-handed
>to intimidate a peaceful protest.
And what did you really expect to happen Caobhin? Did you think the Salvation Army band would attend instead to soothe you with hymns and cups of tea?

>If you really are a social worker you're the type that gives the profession a bad name.
And why is that? Because I disagree with parents who take children into potential flash points and put them at risk. Put your views to the NSPCC and Save The Children. When they disagree with you will you condemn them as well? Still if keeping children out of harms way makes me bad at my job then I hope I am never good at it.

>Using a false argument of cruelty to children against parents for bringing them to a protest is twisted
No its not. Using them as a way of scoring points over the opposition is. Putting children at risk of seeing their parents in conflict and being arrested has a very negative and adverse affect on them, so IS a form of child cruelty.

>and make it perfectly obvious where your real sympathies lie
Yes. With the children.

>despite your sneaky attempt to impugn the protestors.
Well let me sneakily say that I support anyone who protests against war, oppression, racism, homophobic prejudice, and many other things as long as it remains peaceful and people are not put at risk.

>You're in the wrong profession- get a job with the o'reilly press where your lickspittle distortions
>will be well rewarded.
Really; do they pay well?
Lol! What a venomous and nasty statement. But water of a ducks back dear. I assure you I have been subjected to much, much worse in 18 years of social work in Belfast, Magherafelt and Derry. Seen it all; heard it all.

Dress it up how you like Caobhin. But the fact remains that after the events of the first Raytheon protest it is inevitable that any future protests will incur a heavy police presence. This inturn is enough to spark of trouble, fighting and arrests. Now if you think this is a suitable environment in which to have children then you definitely need a few lessons in proper parenting.

Y.

by virgil tibbs - derry anti war coalition Sun Aug 27, 2006 13:14

The Derry Anti War Coalition (DAWC)
have created an on line petition : Support Derry Anti War Protesters (The Raytheon 9) at http://www.petitiononline.com/dawc/petition.html.