Garda Harassement of Anti-War vigil in Dublin

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Wednesday May 07, 2008 15:16 by Robbie Sinnott robbiesin at gmail dot com

Don't shoot the messanger, record the cops

Garda says that lots of people find anti-war banners offensive, and is looking for the least excuse to have them removed. Whatever about his illegitemate and unprofessional power-hungry bullying, this garda must have turned off his critical faculties regarding the offensive nature of illegal invasions and one million Iraqi dead. It seems the Irish state police would rather banish factual posters in a temporary vigil, than investigate what's on CIA and US Army flights going through Shannon Airport.

2008.5.5: RJS: I’d accompanied Ciaron O’Reilly to the GPO in the afternoon for an hours vigilling against the war on Iraq. The idea is to present or to keep the issue in the public sphere/space/arena. Ciaron had a single postless sign saying ‘2003-2008: 1 million US troops through Shannon, 1 million Iraqis dead’. We were expecting others, and the first of these to arrive was Colm O’Roddy, who had bought his own signs, which were along the same lines – i.e., No to War, US military out of Shannon etc.

I was standing with Colm O’Roddy at the GPO at about 5:30 pm, talking in Irish, when a young garda comes up to us and says. ‘A lot of people find that kinda thing offensive you know’. At first we thought he was being conversation and passing comment on the illegal war, but we were astonished when he clarified the situation from his point of view. ‘I just need one complaint from anyone, and you’re out of here. If I can get you to take that stuff down [nothing was up], I will’.

We just nod politely and smiled, and he walks to the corner of O’Connell Street and Abbey Street (GPO side), without bothering Ciaron O’Reilly. I think it’s best to say nothing, but am not prepared to give in if he asks us to remove the signs. I’m wondering what legal right have the gardaí to move people on at a whim; I know they’re receiving increasing powers in this regard under ASBO and anti-alcohol legislation. I’m thinking I’d like to make a complaint to him about himself and get him to move himself on.

If he does have legal right, I’m thinkin’ I’m prepared to be arrested rather than give in. I’m shocked that he doesn’t think that US violation of our neutrality or illegal invasion (imperialism) is offensive, but thinks a lot of people would find the very relaying of this news offensive.

Offense, in garda-speak, has traditionally meant a transgression of the law. If now, all that is needed is for someone, anyone to /think/ that something is offensive, then thought-crime is being actively targeted by the police on the streets.

What of the tradition of peaceful dissidence at the GPO?

What of the idea of freedom of exprfession and democracy?

Does anyone know about hideable, affordable cameras to record such power-abusive bullying.

To conclude, Máirtín from Béal Féirste and his partner Andrea from Bogotá joined us later, and handed out pamphlets to passers-by. There was no more hinderance from the gardaí. Perhaps we had some safety in numbers. It's possible that the young guard thought we two were easier to intimidate because I had a blind-man's stick, and Colm isn't in the full flush of youth.Gan crínnacht, gan crógacht, gan chiall ar bith ach grá na gcumhacht.