Protest Against Visit by 'British Queen'

national | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Friday March 04, 2011 01:27 by éirígí PRO - éirígí

In response to intense media speculation that a state visit to the Twenty-Six Counties by the Commander-in-Chief of the British army Elizabeth Windsor is to occur soon, possibly in May, éirígí are stepping up their campaign of opposition to such a visit. The first protest will take place at 2pm on Saturday, March 12 outside of the British Embassy on Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

No British Withdrawal? No Royal Visits!

Announcing details of a protest at 2PM on Saturday March 12th outside the British Embassy on Merrion Road, Ballsbridge in Dublin, Cathaoirleach éirígí Brian Leeson said that the 'British Queen' is not welcome in Dublin and that any plans for her to be afforded a state visit will be vigorously opposed.

Leeson said: “As commander-in-chief of Britain’s armed forces, Windsor is the figurehead of those troops who currently occupy the Six Counties and who invaded and occupied Afghanistan and Iraq, slaughtering thousands of civilians in the process.”

“The last visit to Dublin by an English Monarch took place exactly 100 years ago. On that occasion socialist republicans such as James Connolly and Constance Markievicz were to the forefront in opposing that visit. The reasons for their opposition are as valid today as they were then and éirígí will lead the opposition to this proposed visit in exactly the same spirit.”

Leeson added: “This proposed visit is designed for one purpose – to normalise and legitimise the occupation of the Six Counties. But there is nothing normal about the continued presence of 5,000 occupying troops, hundreds of MI5 personnel and a 9,000 strong paramilitary police force engaged in widespread repression against the nationalist community and those who dare challenge British rule in Ireland.”

He concluded: “The protest is being held outside the British Embassy in order to send a clear and unequivocal message for those inside to send back to their political masters in Downing Street. That message is that until there is a complete British military and political withdrawal from our country then there cannot and will not be any 'normalisation' of British – Irish relations. As such, any British state visit will be vigorously opposed.”