At half past two on a crisp, sunny Saturday, over 140 people, of all ages, gathered at St Stephen’s Green front arch – exceeding all expectations – to attend the a Feminist Walking Tour marking International Women's Day.

Organisers with red screen-printed t-shirts (the image showing a high heel shoe and a boot – ready for walking!) mingled with the eager crowd, chatting, handing out information booklets, distributing green and purple suffragette ribbons and stickers to organise people into the two tours. There were activity sheets for the kids (and the big kids) and free lollipops for all!

The tour was organised by Choice Ireland and RAG, who came together to share their expertise and enthusiasm to promote a strong feminist message. “We didn’t want a protest march,” says one tour organiser, “but the walking tour was a fun way to get women out on the streets and celebrating feminism”.

Related Links: Choice Ireland — RAG

From the Newswire: An original first-hand report of a solidarity vigil that took place on Saturday 1st in Drimnagh to commemorate the deaths of two Polish men who were attacked and killed the previous Saturday.

It has been noted that this is just one of the most recent and most tragic examples of anti-Polish racism. Other commentators have pointed out such aggression is often directed towards anyone who is different and that it's not just nationality or difference in race that motivates such violence. All agree that such aggression should not be tolerated.

Related Links: Event Notice for the Vigil — Attacks on Polish in Finglas (Oct ’06)

How not to do it: man in hat pulls
princess to floor in breach of etiquette

An Indymedia contributor has kindly presented a guide for proper behaviour during the visit of a middle aged British woman this weekend. Selection below:

How to address the Royal Person:
The Princess Royal should be addressed simply as "Your Royal Highness" initially, and "Ma'am" as the conversation progresses.

Curtsy/Bow
Gentlemen should acknowledge the Royal presence with a bow, ladies with a curtsy.

Men: lower the shoulders and tip the head forward with just a little more than a nod of the head; start with eye contact, then lower the gaze to the floor.

Women: the right foot is placed behind the left heel, and the knees bent. Lower the gaze.

........
1. There is no requirement for hats to be worn, though it is entirely acceptable to do so. Hats are not normally worn at functions after 6:30 p.m.

Use the comments to add your own tips

Seomra Spraoi is a large and vibrant social centre, just off Capel St in Dublin. It is used by small campaign and informal groups for meetings, workshops and is also a place where arts, crafts and children's activities take place.

For a community of people engaged in seeking positive social change, it is a point of contact, a source of resources and information and a base for skills and knowledge sharing. Recently, the gardai have succeeded in having the place temporarily shut down, presenting the collective that runs the centre with a complex legal and bureaucratic situation. Maybe you can be of some assistance.

Related Links: Give Us Some Space - first Seomra Spraoi event in Dec 2004
We got us some space - feature to mark launch of Mary's Abbey space
Seomra Spraoi blog (includes Paypal Donate button)
Totally Dublin article — Seomra Spraoi on MySpace

More Like Bursting With Unrest

With only three shopping weeks left in the Christmas shopping season, the Pavilions shopping centre in Swords, Co. Dublin experienced its first bout of ‘Workers Action’ today with Argos employees, who are members of the Trade Union Mandate, abandoning their tills and making for the picket line.

Talks, which lasted until late last night, were held between Mandate and Argos management at the National Implementation Body, ended without agreement being reached resulting in today’s action.

The Retail giant which has 680 stores dotted around the UK and Ireland, last year announced profits which exceeded €8.1 billion, profits are also up 50% for the first half of this year. Yet they are unwilling to increase their workers wages by 10%. With most workers earning €9.00 an hour a 10% increase would raise their hourly rates to €9.90.

• Start of Interview with Mandate Shop Steward 0.99 Mb
• Interview with Mandate Shop Steward 4.22 Mb

Related Links: Mandate Trade Union | Support the workers against the bullying bosses at Dublin Bus | Attack on Trade Unionists on the rise world wide | Cultural Workers Take on Galway Property Tycoon | Strike At Dunnes Stores Cork |Postman Pat says ‘stuff your pay cut”| Our Workers' Issue Archive