Dublin Palestine activists keep up the pressure on NYE and NYD

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday January 01, 2009 19:48

by Kev - IPSC (pers cap)

info at ipsc dot ie

Candlelit Vigil and Solidarity Rally

Over the course of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Palestine activists in Dublin held more protests against the Israeli brutality in Gaza. At the time of writing, over 410 Gazans have been killed and about 2,000 injured.

Vigil

NYE - Afternoon: Activists from the IAWM, PRI and IPSC blitzed O'Connell Street with leaflets about the upcoming demonstration on Saturday. Large signs were erected beside the spire to inform passers-by in traffic about the demo, and several members of the PRI hired those pedal-transport things and went up and down O'Connell Street with flags chanting "Free Gaza! Free Palestine! Stop Killing Our Children!"

NYE - Evening: Apparently there was another demo at the Israeli Embassy, but I wasn't there so can't report back unfortunately. Perhaps someone who was can tell us about it?

NYE - Night: Around 40 people gathered at the Spire in O'Connell Street to ring in the New Year in solidarity with Gaza at a candle-lit vigil. They stayed from 11pm to 12.15pm. Thanks to everyone who came along and gave up their usual celebrations to stand in the cold and show their support.

NYD: A large rally attended by about 200 people was held at the GPO, and saw speeches from (among others, who to be honest I just can't recall) - celebrities Stephen Rea, Christy Moore, Duncan Stewart and Robert Ballagh and Richard Boyd-Barret (SWP/IAWM), Dr. Bassam Nassar (Palestinian Community), Ann Speed (SIPTU), Des Bonass (UNITE) and Diarmuid Breathnach (Irish Basque Committees).

(Once again apologies for the quality of the night-time pictures, my camera is useless).

Don't forget the Dublin Demo on Saturday 3rd Jan: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90361