Press Release- Gardai arming themselves for May Day- we ask where is threat of violence?

Press Release from Another Europe is Possible, organisers of protest on May Day –the carniv

Another Europe is Possible the alliance which is organising a march and carnival in Dublin starting at 12 noon at the Central Bank, Dame St on May Day is calling on the government and the gardai to halt the security build up for May 1st. It is creating unnecessary tension and hype and is an attempt by this deeply unpopular government to intimidate ordinary people from exercising their democratic right to protest.

Another Europe is Possible the alliance which is organising a march and carnival in Dublin starting at 12 noon at the Central Bank, Dame St on May Day is calling on the government and the gardai to halt the security build up for May 1st. It is creating unnecessary tension and hype and is an attempt by this deeply unpopular government to intimidate ordinary people from exercising their democratic right to protest.

Rory Hearne, convenor , AEIP, said “all protests planned for May Day are peaceful. We have extensive contacts with European anti-capitalists and the claim by the Gardai that up to 15,000 demonstrators are coming from outside Ireland is just not true. We will be marching at 12 noon on May 1st to oppose war and corporate greed and holding a carnival at the Phoenix park entrance to celebrate mulitculturalism. Susan George a renowned activist in the World Social Forums will be speaking. We are asking the question- does this protest sound like the ingredients for a riot?

“The huge garda build up is completely unnecessary and a waste of tax payers money. We call on the government to put the resources they are planning to spend on May Day into more socially useful and necessary areas like schools and hospitals. The threat of violent protests is a myth that the government is trying to perpetuate in order to intimidate people from getting involved with peaceful legitimate protests” ENDS

Another Europe is Possible is organising a CARNIVAL FOR A BETTER WORLD- Speakers (including Susan George and others), street theatre & music starting 12 noon Dame Street May 1st. Carnival of Diversity begins at Phoenix Park- Irish and World Music, Kingsativa, Soukous Allstars, Afrikico, Gospel Choir, Jinx Lennon, Happy City Samba School, Subtitles & many more....plus very special guest!

Another Europe is Possible is a broad alliance that involves Mick O Reilly (ATGWU), Patricia McKenna (Green Party MEP), Pat Cahill (ASTI), Barry Nevin (SIPTU Aviation Branch), Irish Anti-War Movement, Residents against Racism, NGO Peace Alliance, Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Campaign against the Bin Tax, Community Workers, Sinn Féin, Socialist Workers Party, Workers Party, Socialist Party