Join Dublin Protest Against British Royal Visits
Just two days after Brian Cowen confirmed that the Dublin government will host an official visit by the British head of state to the Twenty-Six Counties, Éirígí has announced the first elements of its campaign of opposition to such a visit.
On Monday, July, 5 Éirígí activist Councillor Louise Minihan will put a motion to Dublin City Council opposing a visit by Elizabeth Windsor. The full text of the motion reads,
“That this council notes with deep concern the proposal for a state visit to the Twenty Six Counties by the British head of state. Such a visit would be entirely inappropriate whilst the British state continues to implement imperialist policies and commit human rights abuses across the world, most notably in Afghanistan, Iraq and here in Ireland. This council calls on the Dublin government to abandon its plans to invite the British head of state to Ireland and on behalf of the proud citizens of this city we declare that Elizabeth Windsor is not welcome in Dublin.”
As Dublin city councillors debate the motion inside of City Hall protesters will gather outside to remind their elected representatives that Elizabeth Windsor is not welcome in Dublin, or any part of Ireland.
The first protest to be called since Cowen confirmed that he is to extend an invite to the commander-in-chief of Britain’s armed forces will assemble at 7pm on Monday, July 5, at City Hall on Dublin’s Dame Street. It is expected to last for at least one and a half hours.
Speaking in advance of the protest Cathaoirleach Éirígí Brian Leeson said, “For the first time in many years we in the Twenty-Six Counties now have a very real and tangible opportunity to challenge the normalisation of the British occupation of our country.
“We in the Twenty-Six Counties have a moral obligation to demonstrate solidarity with our fellow citizens who are forced to live under British occupation in the Six Counties. One way that we can demonstrate that solidarity is by opposing the proposed visit of Elizabeth Windsor.
“Those who support that occupation hope that a visit by Windsor to the Twenty-Six Counties will be defined by images of adoring, union-jack waving crowds. Those of us who oppose the occupation must ensure that any visit will be defined by images of anger, protest and resistance.”
Brian continued, “Éirígí are giving people in Dublin two concrete ways to oppose this visit. The first thing they can do is contact their elected councillors and lobby them to support the motion that Louise Minihan has submitted.
“The second thing they can do is join the protest outside of City Hall and make it clear that there will be no welcome for Elizabeth Windsor in Dublin. I would encourage everyone who is opposed to this visit to join this protest and the wider campaign to force Cowen to abandon his dreams of hosting British royal visits to Ireland.”