Bush to Draw Protests in Ireland Over Iraq

[Spazito]

DUBLIN (Reuters) - President Bush (news - web sites)'s trip to Ireland for an EU-U.S. summit will draw thousands of protesters who oppose the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq (news - web sites) in a country where U.S. presidents are traditionally feted.



Ireland is deploying more than 6,000 police and troops to protect Bush and European Union (news - web sites) leaders at the summit in one of the biggest security operations Ireland has staged.


Bush's lightning trip has sparked anger in Ireland where a disparate group of political parties, pacifists, trade unions, artists and religious leaders have come together for a series of demonstrations this week, culminating in a march near the summit venue at secluded Dromoland Castle on Ireland's western seaboard on Saturday.


"We expect large numbers to attend the anti-Bush protests in County Clare," said Fintan Lane, the convenor of Anti-War Ireland, an alliance of protest groups. "We want him to return home with a clear understanding of the depth of Irish opposition to his warmongering."


more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=nm/bush_ireland_protests_dc

[chelsea0011]

1. Another trip, another 100,000 in the streets protesting

And the media will get all the happy-face President pics.

[veggiemama]

2. Dubya-style security comes to Ireland . . .

<snip>



Several American presidents have visited Ireland before.

But this time it is special.

Very special.

On Friday, President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, along with an entourage of hundreds of advisers and service staff, will descend on Shannon Airport in the far west of Ireland. They’ll be staying for less than two days.

But for the past three months Irish security services have been in a heady spin of anticipation for the biggest operation they have ever undertaken.

Presidents Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton have all set foot on the “auld sod.” But none of them had been at war at the time of their arrival. This presidential visit is altogether different, and one that has divided people in Ireland.

John F. Kennedy was one of our own made good. So good, in fact, that 40 years ago no Irish home was complete without a double portrait of JFK and the pope. Ronald Reagan, who died two weeks ago, was a famous movie star who liked his golf. And Bill Clinton, well, everyone adored the all-too-human, smooth-talkin’ charmer who “fixed” the peace-deal in Northern Ireland and who infamously did not have sex with that woman.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://national.snitch.com/2004/06/22/bush

It's sooo over the top!

I'll be protesting in Dublin on Friday night . . . any other DUers planning to be there?

[Supormom]

7. American Secret Service personnel will be allowed shoot to kill

:scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

[Moderator]

10. veggiemama

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
copyrighted news source.


Thank you.

DU Moderator

[veggiemama]

3. Spazito, if you are near Vancouver, there's a protest at the Irish

Embassy there. There are several solidarity vigils at Irish Embassies around the globe:

http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=65628

[Spazito]

4. Thanks for the info, veggiemama!

I am in B.C. but not near Vancouver, I have friends who are though and there are Canadian DUers from there as well so I will spread the news far and wide. Thanks again! We all need to do our part, big time!

[veggiemama]

5. No, thank you!

We're planning to give the Chimp a real ""Céad Míle Fuck Off" here in Eire. Just keep checking IndyMedia/Ireland for updates!

If anyone is in Dublin over the weekend, there's a vigil at the U.S. Embassy:

http://irishantiwar.org/calendar/item.tcl?calendar_id=993

And a march from Parnell Square:

http://www.swp.ie/html/antiwar2.htm#1

[bluedeminredstate]

6. What a change from the former POTUS!

I went to Ireland in 2000 and stayed at a lovely hotel in a little town on the southern coast (the night of the Democratic National Convention that the Big Dog spoke). I had to smoke outside, and after 9:00 the doors were locked so over a couple of days I made friends with the night concierge who was always there to let the late guests in the hotel.
One night we got talking more than usual (probably about the campaign and the convention )and he got very emotional about the US. He told me to go home and thank my people from one grateful Irish citizen for "taking in Ireland's brothers and sisters" in the massive wave of immigration. He said the US provided hope and and new beginning for people who had nothing. He spoke proudly about Kennedy, but saved his highest praise for President Clinton for all the work he had done in Northern Ireland. He spoke about Clinton in glowing terms and said that he was loved by many in Ireland. I had a Kennedy silver half dollar in my purse and I gave it to him. I thought he was going to weep, but I was about to beat him to it - I was never so proud to be an American, ever.
The fact that he made it a point to thank me for my country's generosity and that he asked me to convey that appreciation was very touching.
He made me feel proud to be an American and one reason was that we had a President to be proud of.
I'd be embarassed to see him today. I've gone from being proud to be American to being ashamed of the way my government is conducting itself in my name.

[Zerex71]

8. I just got back from Ireland

And everywhere you go there's posters and signs - "Stop Bush Now", "When Bush Comes To Shove", "Tell Action Man To Stay Home", etc. There were petitions being signed next to the G.P.O. (site of the famous 1916 uprising against English rule), which I naturally signed. I asked the guy behind the megaphone, "So where's the petition for me to keep him out of my country as well?" The organizers didn't want him coming to Ireland, and I said, "Well, he's already 'been' to two other countries, and you see how that went." There's going to be huge rallies (~10k people) coming up in the Dublin area as well. He is, as they say, not too well-liked in that part of the world.

Mike

[struggle4progress]

9. Greens urge for a peaceful protest against Bush

Green Party Leader Trevor Sargent TD is to attend the Stop Bush Campaign press conference tomorrow, organised by the Irish Anti-War Movement, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance and the NGO Peace Alliance. The press conference will take place at Buswell’s Hotel, Thursday 24 June at 11 am.

Speaking today in advance of the upcoming visit of President George W. Bush, Trevor Sargent TD said that, “If the President of the US is the powerful office in the world, then George W Bush is by his actions and attitudes the most dangerous man in the world.”

“I urge all law-abiding people who believe in justice and sustainability to come together in peace to protest loudly at the actions of the Bush administration. To protest loudly at actions such as the way George W. Bush is breaking international law by his invasion of Iraq, the way he is widely abusing human rights, and how decisions made by the current American administration are contributing greatly to the devastation of climate change.”

“An Comhaontas Glas, the Green Party in Ireland, in co-operation with our US colleagues and Greens worldwide, is determined not to see George W. Bush re-elected. His presidency has created more dangers for all people, including US citizens, worldwide. His lack of concern for climate change means that the heat waves which hit Europe last summer, killing at least 20,000 people and resulting in economic losses in excess of €8 billion, are going to get worse as time goes on unless the American people give Bush the Push,” concluded Deputy Sargent.

http://www.politics.ie/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5637



I hope it all goes great. Can't wait to see the coverage!