National Anti-War Demo: Garden of Remembrance, Dublin, 2:30 PM


Saturday April 27th. Assemble at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell St., Dublin 1 at 2.30 pm.

Last November politicians claimed that the fall of Kabul marked the end of the war in Afghanistan and the first victory in the wider 'war on terror'.

But four months on the US military continues to bomb Afghanistan. None of the principal objectives of those who supported the war have actually been realised. Osama Bin Laden remains at large and recent events would suggest that the Al Quaeda network remains largely in tact.

The war in Afghanistan has been portrayed as advancing the causes of peace and democracy. The actual consequences of this brutal military campaign have in fact been the opposite:

  • More civilians have died in Afghanistan than lost their lives in the horrific attacks on September the 11th last year.
  • Western states have used the crisis to erode the civil liberties of their citizens. The USA and UK have seized the opportunity to introduce draconian legislation. In Ireland a steward and an entirely peaceful antiwar demonstration outside the American embassy was arrested and convicted under the repressive public order act.
  • The war in Afghanistan has exacerbated existing conflicts elsewhere. The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has explicitly invoked the rhetoric of the 'war on terror to step up attacks on the Palestinian people.

  • The attacks on September 11th have, predictably, been used to inflate the already obscenely bloated military budget of the US. In 2003 the American government will spend $379 billion on arming itself. That figure is about five times more than all western states spend each year on aid to the underdeveloped world.

    From the beginning George W. Bush has stated that the campaign in Afghanistan would be merely the first installment in the so-called 'war on terror'. The US and its allies are now targeting Iraq. The war will be portrayed as a noble crusade to liberate the people of Iraq. Bet the US made clear that if Saddam is deposed he will simply be replaced with another despot who is willing to do their bidding. The US cares nothing for the people of Iraq - in the last decade more than one million people have lost their lives due to UN sanctions on Iraq.

    Bertie Ahern has now given Bush unqualified support for the 'war on terror' and any US attacks on Iraq. We need to demonstrate that he does not speak in the name of people living in Ireland.

    If you are concerned about the warmongering of Bush and Blair please come to the national anti-war demonstration on Saturday April 27th. Assemble at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell St., Dublin 1 at 2.30 pm.

    Join the Irish Anti-War Movement. Membership €5 unwaged, €10 waged.
    Bank of Ireland
    34 College Green,
    Dublin 2.
    Sort code:90-07-89
    Acc no: 39640902

    Start Date: 2002-04-27 01:00:00-04

    End Date: 2002-04-27 12:59:59-04

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    Created By: Sys Admin

    Comments

    Info from Derry

    Just to let you know that the Derry Anti-War Coalition is running a bus to the April 27 protest in Dublin. You might want to include this in the next antiwar news. The bus leaves Derry at 10am from Foyle St bus depot, returning that night. Cost £10 (£ concession). Phone 02871 286278 for tickets or further info. Best regards, Colm

    Created By: colm bryce

    And from Cork

    There is also a bus going from Cork to the march, organised by the Cork Peace Alliance and the Cork Socialist Workers Party.

    Leaving at 9.30 from the library on the Grand Parade. Euro10 unwaged, Euro20 waged. PLEASE TRY AND COME!

    Contact: Michael 087-9212272
    michaeloconnell2001@yahoo.com

    Created By: Web Master

    It's late notice, but there are two buses coming from Belfast. There are a few seats left. You can book a ticket by phoning Tom 07900353816 or you can be at City Hall @ 11am on the morning of the demo where there MIGHT be seats left. Tickets cost 8 Pounds return

    Created By: Barbara Muldoon