Demo in support of anti-war activists

by Ois Wed May 09, 2007 20:23

Good to see.

by Who Wed May 09, 2007 22:06

Are these anti-war protestors or just a bunch of disenfranchised Republicans? All their placards seem to be slagging off the cops rather than actually protesting against war.

by NMI Wed May 09, 2007 23:04

What happened in court?

by Gan ainm - Anarchist Black Cross Belfast Thu May 10, 2007 00:08

I dont think anybody present considered themselves disenfranchised, there certainly were (principled) republicans present though.
The anti war demo had been the day before, we were attacked, harassed and arrested by the cops twice that day and at two seperate locations.
Again today they seemed intent on provoking us both inside and outside the court.
The PSNI displayed their true colours within minutes of the so called 'new dawn' in defense of bourgeoise nationalist politicians and Blair the war criminal. They have set their sights on the left and were up for it.

by Ciarán Ó Brolcháin Thu May 10, 2007 00:16

Éirígí has a piece that covers much of what happened today: http://www.eirigi.org/latest/latest090507_1.html

There were members of BAWM and AWI present today alongisde anarchists, Trots, and republicans too. There were also several members of Éirígí who had come up to support their comrades. The picket lasted well over an hour but friends and comrades of the two accused stayed until the hearing was completed and they were eventually released on bail.

As regards the placards, maybe the person with the marker was just a "disenfranchised" republican. But everyone present both at yesterday's protests and today's demonstration had every right to be angry at the cops and their behaviour.

by Deirdre Clancy - AWI (personal capacity) Thu May 10, 2007 22:59

Glad to see the anti-war spirit's still alive in Belfast.

by Coilín Fri May 11, 2007 11:08

If this is just a figure of speech, that's fine. But I think it's worth making a distinction between our inalienable right to protest against tyranny and the putative "right to be angry".

This distinction can be presented as a pair of questions:
1. Can we protest effectively without being angry?
2. Can we be angry without making any effective protest?

I have seen both. In fact, I've tried both myself at great length, and I would say that anger is a big burn-out factor for myself and everybody I work with. Also, I reckon it presents a risk to the peacefulness of a peaceful demonstration.

Glad to hear of the protests in any case.

Beirigí bua agus beannacht,
Coilín.

by Tom - ISN - Personal capacity Fri May 11, 2007 11:49

an ISN comrade on the picket. Well done to all. Judging by the PSNI behaviour the leopard hasn't changed its spots.