New Anti-Royal Visit Petition Launched

by S C Wed Mar 09, 2011 22:40

I'm not a royalist - and I wouldnt give a damn about the Queen, except for the fact that my taxes fund her jaunts (and everything else that she does). Thats my problem. Thats (one facet of) what people should be protesting about.

by John - English refugees in Ireland Wed Mar 09, 2011 21:45

As an englishman living in Ireland for nearly 20 years I wish to add my voice against the queen's visit to this country. As figurehead of the british nation it is grossly inappropriate for her to be welcomed here without a corresponding apology and compensation for the damage caused in this country over hundreds of years by the nation she represents.
Perhaps, to make it all real a financial figure could be placed on the resources extracted from Ireland by England over the last 800 years. Taken into account should include, food stuffs, timber, minerals, land and human lives including those forced to fight in england's wars or labour on her roads, factories etc. Added to this would be the collective and ongoing psychological and emotional damage caused by the occupation and resistance to it over all that time. This all needs to be put right.
Pretending that all this never happened and everything is ok now is insanely abusive.

by Richard Wed Mar 09, 2011 16:33

I am not a royalist, but I think the key to bringing about a united Ireland may lie in identity-compromise. That would mean accepting that we are an English speaking people and also, joining the Commonwealth.

There will probably never be a United Ireland otherwise. Instead, partition and tribalism will just go on and on.

by Pepe Wed Mar 09, 2011 15:07

As long as six counties in Ireland remain under British occupation, no visit from a UK head of state should be seen as "normal".

Secondly, don't forget that this "harmless old lady" as some nostalgic people call her here, cost us, Irish taxpayers, an awful lot of money: she was getting over 600,000 pounds a year in EU agricultural subsidies since she is a big landowner. And that money is coming from all of our pockets.

Leaving aside the particular history of the country (that gives plenty of good reasons to protest) it is an absolute shame that in the 21st century there is still aristocracy in Europe (supposedly the "advanced", "democratic" and "progressive" world). Parasites who live above the law of the ordinary citizens and leeches who rejoice in luxury just by an accident of birth, without any real merit. And that money, thanks to the EU is coming from us all, from all of our taxes, so the monarchy in England, or Belgium, or Holland, or Spain is our problem to.

Thumbs up for Éirigí for puting this together.

by Sharon. - Individual. Wed Mar 09, 2011 15:00

Hi I.B. Der !
I think you are wrong re it being "...the first public protest called since the visit was announced.." ( the protest I refer to took place on Saturday February 26th last - see 'Related Link' below) : indeed, such a protest is being held today (Wed 9th March 2011) outside Leinster House , but you're right re the large numbers needed.

However - large numbers or not , her 'visit' will be marked by protest(s) , as it should be.
Thanks,
Sharon.

NOT WELCOME while her jurisdictional claim remains in place.

by I.B Der - None Wed Mar 09, 2011 01:32

The eirigi organised protest this coming saturday is the first public protest called since the visit was announced to the best of my knowledge.

I have been at several protests prior to this also organised by eirigi in advance of any real announcement.The turn out was respectable but obviously not numerous enough to send a clear message that Britains Royals were not welcome here.That all has to change now.This is really going to happen if we do not get out in vast numbers toclearly show this visit should not happen.

For senior Irish Cabinet members to state that this visit is an element of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement is enrageing.Surely now all those calling themselves Republicans will view this treaty as the surrender it was.This visit is a victory tour of the British monarchy.A parade through a conquered land and people.

This must be opposed in vast numbers at every available opportunity.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:17

Brixton or Toxteth are foreign countries to Her Hyenas.
Its not a nationalist issue for me. I went global in the sixties, and spent several years in Britain when this country economically deported me(now I'm just under economic house arrest). Its the wealth of the planet extracted by everything from genocidal wars and arms trading(Prince Andy keeps tripping over his BAe shares)back to the Opium Warfare(now they have it refined to Heroin and Coke, de reel ting,Wars).
Its still the stupid economy, Cambridge.
If she wants to pay her own security bills she can come and go as she pleases as far as I'm concerned. You English are the chief losers from her squatting on the accumulated bood-money of centuries(well, maybe not the Oxbridge and Camford set). She's probably, as the song says, a very nice girl. But then, Adolf was kind to animals.

I'm thinking of setting up a stall to sell Corgi-burgers. If nothing else it will annoy the Gormleys. I'd say he's most disappointed to be missing the limelight for this (again) HISTORIC MOMENT. It should be a laugh. And I hope we are mature enough to attack it with some sense of the ridiculousness of the bread-kissing circus it is for those so inclined. The Irish have been so long under Rome they will worship anything in a frock, even if its female and british. The pompous righteousness of our media, with their corgi-like innocence, is hilarious already. I would'nt go so far as to park one of her racehorses' heads on her pillow. I, too, like Swift, have no quarrel with the equines. Like the corgis, they can't help who feeds them. Bit like the media, there. If Sir Anto says jump, ask how high. And Madam will just lurv Ma'am. As for RTE, sure they're more British than the BBC ever was(see under section 31).

by mairtin Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:06

A friendly visit from the head of state of a friendly state which shares a land border with this state. Regardless of what anybody thinks of monarchy, it is the desired government by this neighbouring state. How can a protest achieve anything positive ? What do you hope to gain ? Does the Belfast Agreement mean nothing ?

by Update Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:29

Close to 400 people have already signed the petition. For once let's all get behind an online petition and deliver a clear message to the new government. No Welcome for the British Queen!

by Michael Gallagher - Photographer Sun Mar 06, 2011 23:18 libertypics at yahoo dot ie

God Shave the Queen.

© Michael Gallagher 2010. All rights reserved.

by Cambridge Man. Sun Mar 06, 2011 19:27

In a strange way some Flintstones (Usually from West Belfast.) think that this Octogerian old lady thinks that she is the queen of Ireland.
Not so.

To her,and most other English, Ireland is as foreign as Serbia.

This English queen means no harm to the foreign country she is visiting.
Called Ireland.
.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sun Mar 06, 2011 15:43

Now there is a question. The National Audit Office cannot audit the Royal Household.
Forbes magazine estimated her wealth at £0.5bn, not counting property and treasure.

So our student nurses and those disemployed due to mismanagement by our overpayed misrepresentatives are to pick up the tab for Lizzy's security while she swans round the worshipful peasantry. The problem is she WILL draw crowds, and they're swanning already.

But my question, given all that accumulated coin slopping round the coffers, is SHE a bondholder??

by Sharon. - Individual. Sat Mar 05, 2011 10:00

.......but we can publicly oppose it.

Hi Protest Info !
Well and good , of course , if Republicans can "stop the visit" but , whether we can or not ie should the visit go ahead - we should oppose it.
Thanks,
Sharon.

Commander-in-Chief of the British Army not welcome !

by Protest Info - Republicans Against Royalty Sat Mar 05, 2011 06:56

éirígí have also organised a protest against the visit for 2pm, Saturday, March 12th outside the British Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin. This protest is just the latest in a long series of protests that éirígí have organised against British royal visits to Ireland. People need to get on the streets NOW if they want to stop the visit.

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/99152

2pm, Sat, March 12, British Embassy, Dublin

by pedant Fri Mar 04, 2011 19:39

The invitation was forwarded via the President Mary Mac Aleese, who are in contact with HMG
and one supposes the Queen's staff.

and whilst Enda may be practising his protocol, I do not think any government did the inviting,
as we do not have a Government as yet !

(just to clear that up regarding any toadying, I assume its a pound of flesh for the bailout)

by Sharon. - Individual. Fri Mar 04, 2011 19:10

.....on the streets in protest , her presence will be marked !

Hi Ex-Pat !

A message will be delivered to the woman , and to her hangers-on , that she is not welcomed in Ireland by Irish Republicans while her troops are here and while Westminster continues to claim jurisdictional 'control' over any part of Ireland.
See you on the picket line.....
Thanks,
Sharon.

RSF Protest - "Take your Brit thugs home...!"

by Gary Owen Fri Mar 04, 2011 18:57

RTE radio's 'Drivetime' has just given a totally 0ne-sided pro-vist report without any contrary voice being allowed to put its case. RTE is a just a mouthpiece for the Anglo-Irish, corporate establishment that has usurped our sovereign Irish republic!

by Ex-Pat Fri Mar 04, 2011 18:52

Yes you should absolutely protest against the British Royal Family.

They are the epitome of the rich 1% who control ridiculous amounts of money and land.

The archaic land system of leaseholds on "royal lands" in the UK is obscene.

I wish you all the best in the protest - I hope it brings many people onto the streets of Dublin.

by pat c Fri Mar 04, 2011 18:38

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the visit was "premature"

Queen Elizabeth visit confirmed

Queen Elizabeth II smiles during her visit to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, in England today. Photograph: Darren Staples/PA WireRelated

President Mary McAleese has announced Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has accepted an invitation to visit the Republic later this year.

While the dates of the visit and the programme have yet to be announced by the Áras and Buckingham Palace, it is expected to take place over three days in May.

In a brief statement, the Government said it welcomed the acceptance of the invitation. “The visit will mark a further improvement in the very good relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom.”

A number of sources said earlier this month the queen would make a “major” speech in Dublin Castle on relations between the countries.

The queen will be accompanied by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, the first to the Republic by a reigning British monarch.

British Ambassador Julian King said the queen and her husband were “very much looking forward to their visit" to Ireland.

“The invitation symbolises how far the relationship between the two countries has come in recent years; the strength of our economic and political ties; and the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland,” he said. “The visit will provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate this, and build on the rich and varied links that exist across these islands.”

The invitation was strongly backed by President McAleese, who leaves office later this year.

The Taoiseach began the process of inviting the queen when he met British prime minister David Cameron in Downing Street last June.

The timing of the visit has been complicated by the wedding of Prince Charles’s son, Prince William, to Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29th, while there has been speculation the queen and Prince Philip will visit Canada in June.

The queen's decision to visit the country has been welcomed by the outgoing Government which said it would mark a futher improvement in the relations between Ireland and Britain.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin also welcomed confirmation of the visit.

"This State visit is in many ways a further milestone in the transformation of relationships between our countries that has been ongoing for many years and will act as another step in the journey of reconciliation," he said.

" This visit is an endorsement of the peace strategy pursued by Irish and British Governments over a number of decades and will be a catalyst for further enhancements in North/South and East/West co-operation, to the economic, social and cultural benefit of all," he added.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the visit was "premature"

“As Republicans Sinn Féin is very aware of the symbolism of a state visit by queen Elizabeth of England and of the offence it will cause to many Irish citizens, particularly victims of British rule and those with legacy issues in this state and in the North," he said.

by Sharon. - Individual. Fri Mar 04, 2011 14:58

Hi !
It should also be noted that a 'paper' petition , showing opposition to this visit , has been available on a regular basis for a number of months now , via a 'stall' set-up at the GPO in Dublin , on a Saturday afternoon , by Republican Sinn Féin .
Hundreds of signatures have already been collected , and the petition will be maintained for the forseeable future.
Thanks,
Sharon.

RSF petition against a visit here by the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army , the 'queen' of England.

by S C Fri Mar 04, 2011 14:20

At a time when local councils in the UK are cutting jobs because of central exchequer funding cutbacks, it makes me so pissed off that a single family gets to live on the hogs back, through inheritance & priviledge.

It would be good to see protests against such inherited wealth.

(from an Irish person now living in England, due to the recession at home!)

by pat c Fri Mar 04, 2011 13:19

Lets organise against the royal parasite! But lets make it meaningful to people.

Want more than the usual suspects turning out? Then link in the protests to the cutbacks taking place here and in the 6 counties and the cutbacks in Britain.

by Infoman Fri Mar 04, 2011 13:15

Rumours are circulating in media circles that McAleese will issue the formal invite later on today. People need to wake up and get involved in the campaign to wreck the brit queens visit. They can start by signing this petition.