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Successful Anti-Royal Visit Protest in Dublin

13/03/11

Up to seventy people yesterday [March 12] braved the bitter cold to join a protest in Dublin against the planned state visit by the British Head of State, Elizabeth Windsor, which is due to take place in May. The éirígí-organised demonstration took place outside of the British Embassy on Merrion Road in Dublin 4.

Protesters held a variety of colourful placards, banners and flags which variously read ‘Fund Communities, Not Royal Visits!’, ‘No British Withdrawal? No Royal Visits!’ and ‘Britain Out of Ireland’.

The very large Garda presence betrayed the Twenty-Six County state’s nervousness about the potential for widespread public opposition to the Windsor visit. In addition to at least four special branch cars and jeeps a large number of uniformed Garda were positioned outside of the Embassy gates. And if this were not sufficient another two van loads of public order unit [riot squad] Gardaí were on standby nearby.

Just after three o’clock, Cathaoirleach éirígí Brian Leeson addressed the crowd before dozens of black ribbons were distributed to the protesters. These ribbons were then tied to the fence of the embassy in memory of those who have died at the hands of Britain’s murder squads in Ireland and overseas. A minute’s silence for those victims was then observed.

Speaking after the protest Leeson said, “The turnout today shows that there is significant opposition to the idea of Elizabeth Windsor visiting Dublin in ten weeks time. Republicans across the city and country need to build on today, to ensure that Windsor is met by hundreds and hopefully thousands of protesters when she arrives in Dublin.

“For our part we in éirígí are going to step up our campaign of opposition to the visit over the coming weeks. I would ask anyone who is opposed to the Windsor visit to get in touch with us as soon as possible. We need to build the campaign now and not wait until the so-called British queen is actually on our doorsteps.”

If you would like to help éirígí’s campaign against the British royal visit please email stopthevisit@gmail.com or phone 086 236 72 98.

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