Belfast Citizens Scupper Brit Recruitment Attempts
Éirígí activists yesterday (Monday) joined with the anti-war movement in Belfast city centre to protest against the presence of a British army recruitment post on Irish soil.
The British soldiers in full uniform were staging a recruitment campaign at Shaftsbury Square in the city when diligent passers by reported their presence to Éirígí activists who quickly liased with the anti-war movement and arranged to stage an impromptu protest at the scene.
A group of 20 activists took part complete with “No Welcome for the British War Machine” placards, which forced the mercenary killers to shut up shop and eventually alight the scene.
However, the British army representatives made several death threats to protestors and those taking photographs before they left.
Under pressure and unable to purvey their propaganda to passers-by, the Brits soon called the RUC–PSNI who arrived to make a feeble attempt to move the protestors on and unsuccessfully demand the personal details of those present.
Realising that the protestors were going nowhere until the occupation forces called off their propaganda stunt, the recruitment centre on wheels was folded down and escorted through traffic by the RUC–PSNI, to the obvious satisfaction of a number of concerned pedestrians.
It was reported by members of the public signing petitions and expressing support for the protest that other ‘recruitment centres’ had been located throughout the city centre, which anti-war activists and republicans in Belfast will continue to disrupt on sight.
Éirígí spokesperson Daithí Mac an Mháistír commended the quick thinking of the activists involved and expressed concern at the threats conveyed by the British soldiers.
“If even one less person was recruited to the British war machine as a result of today’s protest and the sound activism of those involved, then one less hired gun will be on the streets of Iraq, Afghanistan, Ireland or any of the other nations in which that war machine imposes itself.
“The death threats that were made against a number of the protestors by the British soldiers present are a reminder of the sinister role Britain’s forces continue to play in Irish affairs. Given the history of British direction of the activities of the unionist death squads, I would advise all activists who are publicly challenging the British presence in Ireland to remain vigilant and conscious of their personal security.
“Regardless of the spin emanating from the local establishment and the British government, there remains at least 5,000 armed British soldiers and 9,000 armed RUC–PSNI officers within the Six Counties who, as yesterday’s events have shown, operate in harmony to protect British state interests.
“Yesterday, they were interested in recruiting Irish citizens for murder in the Middle East. Tomorrow, they may be interested in breaking strikes or forcing through sectarian marches. The role of the British state in Ireland evidently remains unchanged.
Daithí concluded:
“Éirígí are encouraging Irish citizens to begin the debate afresh about the role of the British state in Ireland and the essential task of ending the occupation and achieving national sovereignty. We ask that people support in whatever way they can the Éirígí campaign for a British withdrawal, as well as opposing any stunts by the British war machine in our cities and towns.
“The action of 20 activists yesterday forced a British army recruitment post to shut down. This was a small victory, but it shows that the actions of concerned citizens can make a difference. The key is to build a concerned nation which will challenge the British imperialist presence and put an end to its malign activities for good.
“Bígí linn.”