Irish Sunday Independent article on Mayday in Dublin
Activist | 25.04.2004 16:08
THEY will be in Dublin on Saturday, blocking roads and costing taxpayers a fortune. The heads of 24 other European countries, as well as international media and visiting anarchists, are all strutting their stuff. And, just a few weeks later, George Bush comes to Ireland.
If you were planing to shop in Dublin on Saturday, you might like to think again. Some of those hoping to give Bush the push in June regard next weekend as practice. The highlight of their Saturday will be a "noisy protest", using pots, pans, bells and whistles to make themselves heard by the heads of state and government who meet in Farmleigh.
Security forces will also be out in strength. Who could forget how gardai ran amok on May Day 2002? Most protestors are expected to be peaceful, not least in order to encourage a big turnout when Bush comes. But the Government fears an outrage by international terrorists, as well as the occasional violent protester.
Enlarged traffic jams start Friday night, at 9.15pm, with a 'Stars of the Sea' firework display on Sandymount strand. "Be prepared to gasp," say officials, perhaps because the tide will be out and that new sewerage plant at the Pigeon House still has problems.
All Saturday, delegates from the other 24 countries of the enlarged EU will clog our roads and distract gardai from essential duties such as hassling buskers or policing bus lanes. And the southside Dart is back specially for the day, to persuade visitors that Dublin has a fully functioning modern transport system. All Saturday afternoon, heads of state will gather at Farmleigh and enjoy Irish hospitality, compliments of the taxpayer from whom they will be expensively fenced off.
Then, it's over to the Aras at 5.30pm for the 'Official Enlargement Ceremony' which lasts just half an hour. The Irish army, 500 schoolchildren, President McAleese and a jolly choir will bless this happy event with their presence. Then they return to Farmleigh for dinner. Meanwhile, 'Dublin Grassroots' activists will be busy blocking even more streets. They have issued an international invitation to disenchanted foreigners to come to Dublin for a "day of action" on Saturday.
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1170715
Security forces will also be out in strength. Who could forget how gardai ran amok on May Day 2002? Most protestors are expected to be peaceful, not least in order to encourage a big turnout when Bush comes. But the Government fears an outrage by international terrorists, as well as the occasional violent protester.
Enlarged traffic jams start Friday night, at 9.15pm, with a 'Stars of the Sea' firework display on Sandymount strand. "Be prepared to gasp," say officials, perhaps because the tide will be out and that new sewerage plant at the Pigeon House still has problems.
All Saturday, delegates from the other 24 countries of the enlarged EU will clog our roads and distract gardai from essential duties such as hassling buskers or policing bus lanes. And the southside Dart is back specially for the day, to persuade visitors that Dublin has a fully functioning modern transport system. All Saturday afternoon, heads of state will gather at Farmleigh and enjoy Irish hospitality, compliments of the taxpayer from whom they will be expensively fenced off.
Then, it's over to the Aras at 5.30pm for the 'Official Enlargement Ceremony' which lasts just half an hour. The Irish army, 500 schoolchildren, President McAleese and a jolly choir will bless this happy event with their presence. Then they return to Farmleigh for dinner. Meanwhile, 'Dublin Grassroots' activists will be busy blocking even more streets. They have issued an international invitation to disenchanted foreigners to come to Dublin for a "day of action" on Saturday.
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1170715
Activist
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