Dublin City Council officials ban anti-war poster

dublin | anti-war / imperialism | news report Thursday June 12, 2008 16:00 by Sara - IAWM

for Belfast anti-Bush demo

Dublin City Council officials have refused permission to the irish anti war movement to erect posters advertising a protest against the visit of George Bush to Belfast, due to take place this Monday June 16th.
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The poster advertises the Belfast protest, which will take place at Belfast City Hall at 12.30pm on Monday June 16th and the details of buses that will travel from Dublin to the protest

In response to an email from the IAWM notifying the council of its intention to erect posters, the council replied with an email which stated

"Permission will not be granted to the erection of these posters as it is felt that it may be perceived offensive by members of the public"

The Irish Anti-War Movement regards this decision a completely unacceptable act of political censorship and intend to defy the Council ban and erect the poster anyway. The IAWM say that if there is any attempt to fine their organisation for erecting the poster they will refuse to pay the fine.

The IAWM will hold a street protest tomorrow, Friday June 13, at 12 midday at the GPO, where participants will have gags on their mouths to symbolise the attack on free speech by DCC. The IAWM will also hold a protest street meetings and public defiance of the poster ban on Saturday June 14th at 12am and 3pm at the GPO

This ban has to be seen in the wider context of several attempts by the Council since the huge anti-war protests in 2003 to ban posters advertising political meetings and demonstrations.

It is becoming increasingly clear that at very high levels in officialdom and government there is an agenda to suppress any political activity or protest that questions US foreign policy

The Irish Anti-War Movement has said it will not allow the government or authorities to silence anti-war protest in this country and will defy this ban regardless of the consequences and appeal to the public and all those who care about free speech to support them