Protesters gather for peace marches
Thousands of anti-war protesters were gathering for peace marches in towns and cities across Ireland today.
Rallies have been planned for all major urban, including Waterford, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Sligo, with organisers expecting more than 5,000 people to march through Dublin.
Richard Boyd Barrett, organiser of the Irish Anti-War Movement, said people were outraged that the Dáil voted this week in favour of continuing to allow US military planes to refuel at Shannon airport.
“I think there is a very high level of anger,” Mr Boyd Barrett said. “Despite all the protests Bush and Blair have carried on defying the will of the majority of people in the world.
“Our own Government has tried to hoodwink the public into thinking it is not part of the war on Iraq.
“But by allowing the US to use Shannon, it is assisting the war and is part of the coalition of the willing.”
Amongst those expected to attend the Dublin march are Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent and SIPTU president Des Geraghty.
The demonstration was set to begin on Dame Street and finish at Leinster House, with rallies at each end.
The Congress of Trade Unions has backed today’s rally, as has a group representing the main Muslim organisations in Ireland.
