British Armed Forces Day to be Opposed

26/06/09

éirígí activists were stopped and harassed by the PSNI whilst unfurling banners opposing Britain’s ‘Armed Forces Day’ today. Commuters into Belfast this morning were privy to the scenes. As two activists prepared to unfurl the banner overlooking the Westlink, the PSNI arrived and attempted to question the activists, citing Section 21 Criminal Justice Act and Section 44 Prevention of Terrorism Act - as and when their mood changed.

The banners, which the PSNI failed to obtain from the activists, and read ‘Oppose Armed Forces Day’ were instead placed elsewhere throughout the city in full view of morning traffic.

The armed forces flag, which is representative of the British occupation of the Six Counties and the hundreds of victims of the British military, is to be flown at Belfast city hall for 24 hours tomorrow – Saturday 27 June. éirígí are calling on all republicans to join in protest tomorrow morning at 10am to oppose this attempt at normalising Britain’s continued occupation of Ireland.

éirígí spokesperson Breandán Mac Cionnaith said, “British armed forces in Ireland have colluded with unionist death squads and are directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Irish men, women, and children. 5,000 British troops remain garrisoned in military bases across the Six Counties, while the British government continues to use oppressive legislation to persecute those who oppose British rule in Ireland.”

Breandán continued, “éirígí will continue to oppose all attempts to normalise the occupation of Ireland and glorify the role of the British army here and elsewhere. We are calling on all republicans to join us tomorrow at 10am at Belfast city hall.

“As the proponents of the British occupation celebrate their army and trample on the graves of their victims, we must send a message of resistance. Irish republicans will never be pacified, and we will never accept the British army in our country in any form. Bígí Linn!”