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We are pleased with the response this new format has gotten over the last year, a response that allowed us to quickly double our print run to 6,000 copies. A few dozen people have come forward in that year and started to help us distribute this paper, allowing it to reach people that it otherwise wouldn't.
Among the towns where it is given out are Athenry, Belfast, Castledermot, Cork, Drogheda, Derry, Dublin, Fermoy, Galway, Kilcock, Kilkenny, Lurgan, Manorhamilton, Maynooth, Naas, Oughterard, Sligo, Roscommon town and Thurles. Others have written articles for us and a few have joined us.
We have been trying to keep you informed of all the various struggles that we are involved in from the local ant-bin tax campaign in our areas, the anti-globalisation movement, and now we are busy playing an active part in opposing this new war.
On a number of demonstrations that we have participated on we have noticed that the Gardai/Police have had a radical shift in the way that they handle demonstrations. At a Critical Mass (protest for decent conditions for Cyclists in Dublin) they proceeded to arrest 5 people and impound a number of bikes.
At an anti-privatisation demonstration at the Burlington hotel in November - the Guards became incensed after an attempt to get into the hotel which was hosting a conference on international privatisation - they baton charged the crowd and arrested 15 people. The cops were particularly anxious to clear the area of anyone with cameras or video equipment prior to smashing into the peaceful protesters.
Then the following Saturday two people were arrested on an anti-war demo outside the US embassy for daring to try and organise a march up to the British embassy. Whatever their reason - and we suspect they have one - this is a nasty development. It appears that in the current climate the cops feel like they should be relying on their old methods of violence and intimidation to silence any voices of opposition. Their bully boy tactics will not drive us from the streets and will not deter us from protesting.
While the propaganda spews from all the TV sets about the 'War for freedom and against terrorism' - the very freedoms that we are supposed to enjoy such as protesting peacefully are under attack.
Get involved in bringing about a solution to the current hypocritical system. Find our more about Anarchism - and get involved in the fight for real freedom.
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Workers Solidarity Movement |
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