Mayday organisers reject GRA allegations
dublin |
summit mobilisations |
press release 
Wednesday April 21, 2004 15:20
by Dublin Grassroots Network
The Dublin Grassroots Network, who are organising a
weekend of events this May Day to highlight "Fortress
Europe", have sharply criticised recent statements
from Garda Representative Association (GRA) general
secretary, PJ Stone, as heightening tensions and
criminalising the right to protest.
Spokesperson Laurence Cox said, "In the light of Garda
violence at May Day 2002, the use of armed gardai at
this year's protests, already confirmed by
authorities, can only be regarded as the height of
irresponsibility. For PJ Stone to encourage his
members to treat protestors as a threat similarly
raises fears on all sides and raises the risk of a
similar loss of control, with potentially tragic
results."
Gardai have already confirmed that they will attempt
to prevent large groups of protestors gathering,
despite European and constitutional obligations to
protect freedom of assembly and expression. Recent
weeks have seen increased calls to restrict freedom of
movement for demonstrators from other EU countries.
Irish activist Jo Moffatt, who was injured by Italian
police during protests at Genoa, has strongly rejected
allegations that protestors were "responsible for
riots" in Genoa at the G8 summit in 2001. He said
yesterday, "In Genoa, police used baton-charges,
armoured cars and tear-gas to attack a quarter of a
million peaceful protestors. One demonstrator was shot
and killed, while hundreds were subsequently injured
in police custody."
The Italian legal system opened 9 separate inquiries
into the events, 8 of which focussed on police
misconduct.
For more information, including Mayday event plans,
see:
http://www.struggle.ws/eufortress
Comments (6 of 6)
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stone is quoted in tues's irish times as saying that most of the people who were in genoa are coming to dublin.
that would be a quarter of a million.
he says the people coming have "violent intent" but gives no evidence to back either assertion.
the article mentions that protests in genoa led to one death but doesn't mention that carlo giuliani, 20, was shot in the head by the police or that police brutality at the genoa g8 summit and politician's urging of it, is still being investigated.
he says that he doesn't want to see another mayday 2002 where the gardai were "scapegoated".
didn't he see primetime?
he also justifies the hype & arming to the teeth of the security forces, despite the likelihood of them raising tension by saying that they're necessary to protect guards from injury.
who is protecting the crowd?
what measures are being taken to ensure low-key , level-headed policing .
mayday events will be peaceful.
why are gardai gearing up for a battle?
in whose interests?
and this one too:
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=64458
for more information.
Already the cogs of the state P.R. machine are turning. Recent scaremongering by the bourgeoise press about the approaching 'hoards of violent, black clad anarchists' as well as the state response in sending heavily armed foot soldiers are all the initial steps by the state to legitimise any possible brutal actions taken by the police during the may day weekend. Dublin city centre has already witnessed the tactics employed by the gardai against peaceful demonstraters. The question must be asked. What is the role of the gardai in irish society. Are they there to protect the civilian population? Will they be there to ensure the smooth running of the may day celebrations and peaceful protests planned by Irish civilians as well as thousands of visiting tourists? The answer is obvious. In the context of the irish capitalist state, the police forces primary function is to protect private property and those people of private property, the ruling class. When any form of collective dissent against the status quo, such as the may day actions take place, the state send a strong message to the populous in the form of armoured and armed police men.
If the order is sent from above, then the men, wimmin and children involved in street theatre, demonstrations and festivities will bear the brunt of state brutality.
This leads to the conclusive question. If the state police are not there to protect its public then is it time for the people to organize their own defense on the day?
Media hysteria and garda allegations are raising tensions around the May Day weekend. If possible we need tensions to be lowered.
All the groups organising May Day protests have consistently called for peaceful protest.
MAY DAY MAY DAY ant gardai about?
healine in northside ppl west
residents fear navan road may be undefended?
mentions a meeting with navan road residents? [anybody at this]
Cllr Brendan Carr (LAB) [thanks a bunch man ) said "both he and residents were reliably informed by a Garda representative that if there is real trouble at the Phoenix Park then the Gardai will move to protect EU dignitaires, even if this means leaving local residents fending for themselves?
nots how the house/roads will be blocked off all day..., then repeats roysten expert opinion
of course on inside pages it picks up a press relesase negating the hype... but of course it doesn't reflect that in its banner headline ....
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