PPP... (1 Viewer)

[Cormy]

Well there you go Pete, see how easy it is to be drawn in? You read the RTE report and think what mosy other people in the country think -"what did they expect to happen?".

That's not what happened, don't have time to go into it now cos I gotta run, but I'm sure I or someone else will explain it more clearly later...

Protest again tonight at the Burlington at 5.30pm.

 

[pete]

well, when all coverage says the same thing, yeah, it's easy to be "drawn in".

Today I've read: The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, The Irish Examiner, The Star, The Irish Mirror, The Irish Sun, The Dungarvan People (don't ask). I've seen the reports on ireland.com and on the rte news website, and i've heard the report on Morning Ireland too. I've read what Garda Press Office had to say, what John Gormley had to say, and what the G.R. person had to say.

All describe the same events: protest was peaceful, protesters tried to force their way into the hotel, protesters threw paint and flour bombs at the cops, cops called for reinforcements and baton charged the protesters.

This to me does not describe a "crackdown" on the anti-capitalist movement in ireland. It desribes a standard (whatever your opinion on that may be) police response to a near-riot situation.


ps I don't like being patronised.

 

[Stephen]

Okay here is my personal account of what happened yesterday: (personal mind)

I arrived at around twenty past six or so and everybody was just standing around. There was a P.A. and a couple of speakers. All pretty tame. Then after the speakers had finished, suddenly everyone was moving in the car park. I was at the side so I don't know who started the movement or why.
Then people were trying to get into the hotel and a couple of paint balloons were thrown at the hotel. I'm not quite sure how this happened. But some people were in the lobby doors and suddenly they were beaten back by a garda with a walkie-talkie. This is when all the flour etc. was thrown.
There a couple of funny cops walking around with flour all over them and some "other" security.
So everyone was dispersed back abit but were still up near the doors. I then went to lock me bike. So as I was coming back in everything seem to have calmed people were sitting up the front and the gardai were just standing in front of them. I honestly though that the attempt had been made and everyone was just sitting round to eventually quietly retreat.
Then (again I was at the back so I don't know what provoked it) the gardai are baton charging. I really though the whole thing was about to finish up. You know the usual, Gardai stand off, they pull a couple of heads out and make a few arrests everyone goes "that's awful" and heads home.
So then it went a little crazy, people with camera's were targeted for arrest, with a couple of heads having to run as others stood in the way of the cops. There was this one garda when we were all eventually on the footpath outside with his baton still raised.
Then they just got cuntish, cos everyone was moving on and they were just agitating people by pushing and shouting to keep going.
One garda who I was trying to explain that his mere presence was not helping anything and we were moving on wouldn't even look at me and just kept pushing me on. One of his colleges eventually told him to go back.

It was crazy, it was a peaceful protest which the guards turned violent. Was anybody really doing anything that uncontrollable that they needed to baton charge?

Also the GR press release was written by an swp head so they are as bad for the sensationalizing things as the press.

 

[pete]

ha

and indeed

ha

 

[pete]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2001/1011/protests.html

 

[path]

Paint and Flour are the poor man's tear gas and pepper spray.. respeck.

regards

 

[Dan]

OK, theres a load of beating around the bush here. Everyone is talking a lot, but saying nothing. I'm not trying to confront anyone, (my war wounds are still healing - thanks,Cormy), I just want to ask a question. Everyone (including myself) has been talking about Nike, guevarra t-shirts, capitalism absorbing anti-capatilist culture, but I want to ask the question again that I think Pete asked in the beginning.

Could somebody who supports the demonstrations against the PPP summit tell me exactly why they believe they should do this? No reference to Chomsky, none of that, just EXACTLY why PPP should be stopped, no maybes or possiblies, definite reasons. I am open minded and want to know basically, because I am unaware of any reasons myself.

 

[path]

Anyone know what the fuck is going on with the arrested people? Have they been kept locked up until the 18th??

regards

 

[Pantone247]

Stephen (11 Oct, 2001 12:30 p.m.):

It was crazy, it was a peaceful protest which the guards turned violent. Was anybody really doing anything that uncontrollable that they needed to baton charge?

well there were (it appears) people throwing paint around the Burlington, ok fair enough it was a protest and thats fine. BUT if I went down and started throwing paint and flour around the place I'd proberbly recieve the attention of the Gardai to. (and rightly so) So you can't be that suprised by the polices reaction.

Think of the poor pot scrubber in the Burlington who has to clean that crap up!!

 

[pete]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2001/1011/1news/1news56_7a.ram

rte 1 o'clock news report

i only recognise two names from the list

 

[Stephen]

Pantone247 (11 Oct, 2001 02:36 p.m.):

Stephen (11 Oct, 2001 12:30 p.m.):

It was crazy, it was a peaceful protest which the guards turned violent. Was anybody really doing anything that uncontrollable that they needed to baton charge?

well there were (it appears) people throwing paint around the Burlington, ok fair enough it was a protest and that's fine. BUT if I went down and started throwing paint and flour around the place I'd probably receive the attention of the Gardai to. (and rightly so) So you can't be that surprised by the polices reaction.

Think of the poor pot scrubber in the Burlington who has to clean that crap up!!

I was talking about the fact all the throwing of crap had stopped and everyone was just sitting around.
The gardai could just have arrested people, but for some reason they felt it more effective to baton charge.

I still think it was completely unnecessary.

As for Dan's question this link is the best criticism of PPP I've heard so far: http://www.rte.ie/news/2001/1010/newsatone/news1pm3A.ram

And as for the people that were arrested and held over night they have all been released. And I'm sure some will be along later on the board to tell exactly what happened and what they were charged with.

 

[path]

pete (11 Oct, 2001 02:51 p.m.):
i only recognise two names from the list

I recognise a good few of them, lots of Genoa names, Conor McLoughlin wont be happy being lumped in with the SWP heads. Notice as well that Rory Hearne (senior enough bloke in SWP/GR) was the only one to speak in court, I think he fancies himself as a leader... I wonder how many more years he'll last before joining Labour...

regards

 

[pete]

there's a full page write up on Rory Hearne in the new edition of The Phoenix

 

[path]

pete (11 Oct, 2001 04:40 p.m.):
there's a full page write up on Rory Hearne in the new edition of The Phoenix

Oh yeah? What does it say? Is it on the internet?

regards

 

[pete]

it is now:

While Brian Cowen was busy in Washington last week, handing George W Bush a carte blanche to use Irish airports, Rory Hearne of Globalise Resistance, along with a plethora of organisations, took to the streets in an anti-war rally. Of course the meeja chose to ignore the demonstration, as well as a packed public meeting of 400 people held the same week. But Bertie and his Foreign Minister might be well advised to listen to their concerns before signing away reland's neutrality.

Hearne's anti-capitalist movement, Globalise Resistance (GR), along with a motley collection of organisations -ranging from the human rights lobbying agency, AFrI, to John de Courcy Ireland's CND, to Joe Higgins TD's Socialist Party -have come together in the peace alliance. For Globalise Resistance, the campaign is a logical progression from their protests against the G8 summit in Genoa last July. The 23-year-old Waterford lad was the chief co-ordinator of the delegation of 200 which travelled by bus and train to Genoa. And while ageing rock star and multi-millionaire, Bob Geldof, tried to write off the protesters as a shower of "football hooligans", GR consisted of an impressive bunch. They comprised members of the Socialist Workers Party (of which Hearne is also a member), the Green Party, Labour Youth, the Union of Students of Ireland (USI), the environmental student organisation, Gluaiseacht, as well as a significant number of trade union heads.

Hearne became involved in the anti-globalisation movement while still a student in Trinity. Through his studies in geography he became interested in Third World issues and was chairman of the One World society. He went on to join the student branch of the SWP. And with a first - class degree in geography under his belt, he successfully stood in last year's presidential elections of the TCD Students' Union. He contested against candidates Pat Dillon, a Fine Gaeler from the Philosophical Society, Beibhfn O'Connor of the Political Society, and a third candidate, Henry Shittuu. Dillon locked horns with Hearne during the campaign and the young Fine Gaeler and his band of followers used to chant .'go back to Russia" at the SWP candidate. However, the student electorate opted for Heame and he polled 2,000 first preference votes against Dillon's 1,100.

A roller-coaster ride of protests and occupations ensued in what was one of Trinity's most radical presidencies. Tapping into the growing anger among the student population over the paltry £54-a-week student grant and the accommodation crisis, Heame led students out to the barricades. The student president, however, wasn't alone in his efforts. TCD's Students' Union re-affiliated with the USI, following 10 years of disaffiliation, and together the two student bodies protested. And boy did they protest -and not just over the sham of Ireland's so-called free third-level education but also over national and global issues.

However, one person who didn't show up at the protests was Heame's fellow education officer and Ogra Fianna Failer, Averil Power, who refused to protest against her pals in Government. It's no secret that there was no Ive lost between Hearne and Power. Power , who has since been elected as this year's resident of TCD Students' Union, is best pals with Minister for State, Mary Hanafin. The minor minister taught Power in her old alma mater. Sion Hill, and recently appointed her to le advisory council of Dail na nOg .

Meanwhile, Hearne has moved on from student politics and has thrown himself into the anti-war campaign. Among the various issues raised at the public meeting last week was the draconian anti-terrorist legislation which the EU proposes to introduce in the aftermath of September II. According to the European Commission's "Framework Decision on combating terrorism", acts of terrorism are defined as "offences which are committed by an individual or group against one or more countries. .. with the aim of seriously altering or destroying the political, economic or social structures of those countries." As Andy Storey, AFrI's chairman, remarked at the meeting, the breadth of the definition could apply to anybody in the audience. Offences, however, such as the "unlawful seizure of or damage to state facilities and property" would seem to be specifically targeting demonstrations such as the Genoa protest. It will be recalled how incensed Tony Blair and the rest of the 08 leaders were at the naughty protesters in Genoa. Could it be they're now getting their own back and September II is being opportunistically used to clamp down on civil liberties?

The Gardai, however, are already on the protesters' case. While Hearne and the OR delegation were boarding the buses to go to Genoa outside the Custom House, the Boys in Blue made a friendly phone call to the bus operators, asking them whether they knew they were transporting "anti-American arms race protesters". An anti-war protester, Caoimhe Butterly, also told last week's public meeting how she was "arrested for praying" at Shannon Airport. Butterly, along with three other peaceful protesters, tried to stage a vigil against the refuelling of US aircraft at the airport. She and her peace-loving friends were equipped with such dangerous weapons as candles and a picture of Gandhi. The gardai told the hippie dippies they couldn't stage their protest in the airport and when Butterly questioned their reasoning, she was promptly arrested.

By the looks of things the anti-war campaign is only getting started, as Hearne's Globalise Resistance, along with all the other organisations, begin to galvanise into action. Bertie et al ended up with egg on their faces last June, as a result of ignoring the No to Nice Treaty campaign. If he's not careful it might just happen again, as he lets Ireland's neutrality go down the Swanee.

please excuse any OCR errors....

 

[pete]

From ireland.com

Garda denies it was 'out of control' at protest

The Garda has been accused of acting irresponsibly and attacking the civil liberties of demonstrators during an anti-globilisation protest at the Burlington Hotel where 14 people were arrested last night.
A Garda spokesperson said there were about 70-100 protesters of which 40 were militant. He said "the gardaí had used as much force as necessary" to quell the protests.

But at a joint press conference today Mr Joe Higgins of the Socialist Workers Party, called the rally a "peaceful and good-natured protest" and said it was "irresponsible of the gardaí to behave in the way they did".

The trouble started during a protest outside the Burlington Hotel where a three-day international conference on privatisation was being held.

According to witnesses, the rally was quiet for about an hour but then a number of demonstrators tried to enter the hotel. Gardaí and hotel staff blocked the entrance, and some protesters threw paint and flour bombs at the gardaí.

The protesters then moved into the car-park and staged a peaceful sit-down protest. About twenty minutes later Garda reinforcements arrived and started to baton-charge the protesters, the witness said.

Witnesses said people were hit repeatedly with walkie-talkies and batons and that at least three or four gardaí appeared "out of control".

Ms Trish Kinsella of Globalised Resistance reported seeing "people being hit with blood-dripping from their faces".

Mr Eoin McCormack of the Bus Driver’s Workers Action Group, at the rally with 15 other bus drivers, was protesting against public-private partnership. He said gardaí had no excuse for a "baton charge". "One person seemed to be arrested only because he had a camcorder," he said.

Fourteen people were arrested and taken to Pearse Street, Donnybrook and Irishtown Garda stations where they were charged with "public order offences".

 

[pete]

http://www.organarchy.com/indymedia/

 

[W.]

i was beaten,arrested ,held overnight in Donnybrook and went to court this morning .. Eoin from nerdlinger was too .. we're not allowed near the Burlington Hotel and we are ALL in court again next Thursday .. I urge you to come protest and show your support thanx

 

[damien]

here's my own 'eyewitness report' of yesterdays events:

arrived before 5.30pm to find maybe 100-125 people standing fairly aimlessly outside the burlington. there were loads of banners and a pa, and at this stage most people were milling about being socialist workers or trade unionists. then the speeches started, i remember TD joe higgens and rory hearne speaking, although there were others too. a lot more people started to show up during the speeches, mostly 'average' types who weren't affiliating themselves with any of the political groups present.

some guy tried to sell me the swp paper and i began questioning the mentality of the party pushing its own agenda at a demonstration that had very little to do with their basic politics. loads of people around me started giving me shit, complaining that i was being devisive. i won some of them over to my side with a well reasoned argument but the paper seller cornered me later and delivered a strong argument regarding the fact that the swp pretty much founded GR, and that without them there wouldn't have been much of a protest. this was, of course, true. i just don't like the fact that whereever you look in dublin these days, there always seems to be a socialist of some kind pushing their ideology on whoever can be goaded into listening.

in my mind, the speeches went on for a loooooooong time; they all spoke about things most people there were already aware of. people were standing about, there was nothing in the air and i, for one, was bored to tears.

then a certain person came along with the 'theatre' outfits they had organised for the day. these consisted of big boxes with $ signs spraypainted onto them. five people got dressed in the boxes, four of them had sappy masks on and in retrospect i'm glad they couldn't find one for me (hah!).
anyway after running about subverting capitalism for a few minutes it was decided that enough was enough, something had to happen or else everyone would have disbanded and the protest would have been little more than a waste of time.

the next part is fairly hazy: maybe 50 people ran into the car park of the hotel and began chanting/shouting. i was near the front and covered in a lifesized box so i didn't get to see what was happening further back. before i had a chance to consider what was about to happen, the crowd surged forward and all of a sudden i'm up against the burlington doors being pushed forward by the protesters and back by the cops. guys in suits then came out of the hotel (with walkie talkies) and helped the cops keep the doors shut.
flour and paint soared over my head and onto clothes and signs (there's still some on my bag, though they'd cleaned it off the burlington by 1pm today).

this guy thomas, who i recognised from manning many barron swp stands in college, was right in front of me, and out of nowhere there's a cop pounding him over the head with a walkie-talkie. he had blood running down the back of his neck.

this bit of rowdyness ended quite quickly, and people sat down in front of the hotel. there were some shouts and chants, but it was clear that the crowd had retreated substantially from where they had been previously.

then the reinforcements arrived. a group of people were standing/sitting/crouching beside me and all of a sudden there are batons being brought down on their heads. people are being punched, shoved and kicked indiscriminatly including ladies and younger kids. then everyone was forced outside the gates and the police began to stop taking any shit. anyone who asked a cop for their number (as some of them had wisely removed them from their uniforms before the beating began) was kicked or pushed to the ground. the aforementioned guys in suits were standing shoulder to shoulder with the pigs: it was unclear if they were hotel employees/residents or plain clothes officers. one thing's for sure; one of them was drunk off his ass, as a lady standing beside me was arguing with him about the smell off his breath.

then it started to get dark. the helicopter arrived and circled us. it was clear that the crowd was far more enraged after the police had enforced their law than at any other stage during the evening.
it was announced that there had been some arrests and those who had been arrested had been taken to pearce st, so some of the crowd decided to walk their for a protest outside. then things started to get nasty again. as people were walking away from the hotel (yes, as they were leaving), the police followed them, pushing those at the back (which led to people being flung onto the street and ground) and taunting them with insults.

i didn't see any violent retaliation although i've heard that some people began throwing sticks when the baton charge was in full force.

no more real action happened after this. we went to the station and shouted for a few hours but nothing really happened. cops smirked, we bored the shite out of them with our repetative chanting. the helicopter followed us down to pearce st, i may add.

this morning there were 10-20 protesters outside the court chanting and waiting to see what the buzz was. loads of journos were hanging around, too, from tv3, rte and utv news and many print media photographers.

i got to see that guy from rte getting his report on in real life. wow! he stands with his feet all strangely when he's doing it, too, and it looked like they had to reshoot it because his tie wasn't quite right the first time.

at about 12.40pm the first of the detained were released, 3 girls and 1 guy. the guy was thomas the student swp. he had scars all over his ears and neck, and supposedly the cops waited for an hour before calling him an ambulance the night before. none of the reports i read mentioned the fact that his injuries required him to be taken to hospital.
anyway, so he walks out of the court and onto the street, and a journalist steps up to interview him.

"so, thomas, can you tell us exactly what you were charged with?"

"yes, with batons".

and there the story ends.

maybe i've left somethings out there, i can't be sure.

if anyone is put off these anti-globalisation actions by the fact that most of the demonstrations are organised by "Hearne's anti-capitalist movement, Globalise Resistance", then you may be interested (as i was) in this:

http://grassrootsgathering.freeservers.com/

it seems to be a new group with similar aims to GR (in fact aims that go well beyond theirs), but it's completely independent of any political organisation and it's going to be run on decentralised, anti-authoritarian principles.

nice.

 

[pete]

Garda Complaints Board:
From the Citizens Information Database:

The Board deals with complaints of improper conduct by any member of the Force (other than the Commissioner), whether that conduct is of the sort that could result in the member being charged with a criminal offence (for example, assault or perjury) or would constitute a breach of discipline under the terms of the Complaints Act.

Conduct that would constitute a breach of discipline can be summarised as follows:

[unorder=square][#] discourtesy,

[#] neglect of duty - failing to do something which it is his/her duty to do,

[#] falsehood or prevarication - making or getting somebody else to make a statement or an entry in an official document which is, to his/her knowledge, false or misleading,

[#] abuse of authority oppressive conduct towards a member of the public, e.g. making an arrest without good or sufficient cause or using unnecessary violence towards anybody,

[#] corrupt or improper practice - accepting or soliciting bribes, using his/her position improperly to make a private gain,

[#] putting himself or herself under a financial obligation to anyone in such a way that he or she could be compromised in the performance of his or her duty,

[#] misuse of property or money in his/her custody belonging to a member of the public, being drunk on duty or in uniform, other discreditable conduct.

[/unorder]

Contact:
Garda Síochána Complaints Board
Block 1, South Floor
Irish Life Centre
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel:+353 1 8728666