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Demonstration at British Embassy – Dublin

25/02/10

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson has called on all those concerned about the human rights abuses being committed by the PSNI to gather outside the British embassy in Dublin on Saturday [February 27].

éirígí has called the demonstration as part of its Different Name, Same Aim campaign, which has been rolled out in several parts of the country in recent weeks.

Leeson said: “The PSNI has gone into overdrive with the use of its repressive tactics in recent times. Last year alone, 28,420 people in the Six Counties were stopped & searched by the PSNI under repressive legislation. Despite the fact that this legislation was declared unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights in January this year, the PSNI has continued using it; harassing political activists, community workers, sports people and even school children on a daily basis.

“Meanwhile, the force continues to use plastic bullets, CS gas and Tasers on a regular basis, while remaining routinely armed with pistols and assault rifles and working hand-in-glove with the British army and MI5.

“These are not the actions of a depoliticised, civic police service, they are the ways of a sectarian paramilitary force – they are the ways of the RUC.

“This why is éirígí is appealing for all those who interested in the human rights of Irish citizens to join our protest outside the British embassy in Dublin. The British government needs to realise that citizens in the Twenty-Six Counties will not stand idly by while their compatriots in the North are being abused and harassed.”

Leeson continued: “It is also important to recognise that the PSNI will not be fundamentally altered by the devolution of limited policing & justice powers to the Stormont administration, if it ever happens.

“The British government has prepared for this eventuality by stating that, in matters relating to what it calls ‘national security, the PSNI will not be accountable to a Six County justice minister, it will be accountable to the British secretary of state.

“The British government is retaining its control over the PSNI, ensuring it will continue to be the frontline of the occupation. Republicans, socialists and democrats must oppose this force – protest at the British embassy at 2pm on Saturday.”

éirígí’s Different Name, Same Aim demonstration will take place at the British embassy, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 on Saturday, February 27 at 2pm.

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