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Saturday 19th April:
About 90 people marched
in Newbridge to voice
their opposition to the
war, occupation of Iraq
and possible future wars.
The protestors gathered
on Morrefield Green at
2pm, and the march proceeded
down Newbridge Main Street,
with many more joining
in on the route down.
At it's highest point
there were about 90-100
people on the protest.
There was a police presence
of two. It's the only
march I've ever been on
where the traffic actually
stopped the march. What
I mean by this is that
the congestion in front
of the march was so bad
that it resulted in the
traffic being so slow
as to force the marchers
to stop several times.
Strange experience.
 The
protest was loud and lively
and colorful. Passing
cars beeped their support
and there was the usual
array of chants, badhrans
and bongos. When the marchers
passed the ofiice of Sean
Power TD (FF), people
began shouting "Shame,
Shame, Blood on your hands"
 Upon
reaching the Riverbank
Arts Centre, the rally
commenced. The was music
from Pud Barret (who bailed
us out with the PA at
the last minute - cheers
Pud) and Eithne Ni Cathain
and Dave Jordan who sang
Luka Bloom's peace song
and did a few reels.
The speakers were Gerry
O'Donaghue (IPSC and school
principle), Fr. Paddy
Byrne (local parish priest),
Ann Behan (environmentalist
and anti-incinerator campaigner),
Kevin Squires (SP) and
Tom Lonergan (SWP/IPSC).
In the speeches various
points were made about
the slaughter of Iraqi
civilians and conscripts;
the environmental and
cultural destruction of
Iraq; the shameful role
of the media and the government;
Shannon; the PNAC philosphy
of 'full spectrum dominance';
the fact this is a war
for oil and imperialist
domination; the instabilty
this war has created and
the disgraceful role of
the US in supporting Israel.
Protestors were also asked
to remember the role of
FF and the PDs and not
to forget it during the
local elections next year.
 Persoanlly
I would like to thank
everyone who took part,
and especially those who
worked their arses off
organising and leafletting
for the demo. Well done
to all involved.
Kevin Squires
County Kildare Anti-War
Movement take to the streets
The County Kildare Anti-War
Movement staged a peaceful
protest through the streets
of Newbridge against the
occupation and invasion
of Iraq on the 19th of
April last.
The weather was fine
and the protestors were
in good spirits as waved
banners and carried peace
flags when they set off
down the town's main street
to a rally was held at
the Riverbank arts centre
where there were speakers
and live music.
In addition to members
of our own group and members
of the public who came
along to support the rally,
there was a contingent
from the Offaly Anti-War
Movement which came along
to support their colleagues
in Kildare. Ideas were
swapped and new friendships
made between the members
of both groups and there
are hopes we can co-operate
with each other more in
the future.
The first speaker was
the local parish curate
Fr. Paddy Byrne, who said
that "the loss of
innocent life makes gathering
for peace even more important."
Live music was provided
by the well known local
performer Bud Barrett,
who performed a range
of popular songs between
each of the speakers.
The second speaker was
group member and well
known environmentalist
Dr. Anne Behan, who said
that the effects of America's
invasion of Iraq will
be felt on the environment
and people of the country
for generations to come.
Then there was a musical
treat for the protestors
when Eithne Ni Cathain
took to the stage to sing
the popular Luka Bloom-penned
anti-war song "I
am not at war with anyone".
Group member Kevin Squires
spoke of the growing arrogance
of American imperialists
who show blatant disregard
for the international
community as they pursue
their own commercial interests.
Eithne then played a violin
solo which was well received
by the protestors.
The final speaker was
group member Tom Lonergan
who highlighted the fact
that while America and
Britain claimed the invasion
of Iraq was justified
because that country's
regime was in violation
of U.N. resolutions, but
ignores Israel's non-compliance
with even more U.N. resolutions
over an even greater period
of time.
The chairman of the
County Kildare Anti-War
Movement, Gerry O'Donoghue
said he was happy with
the turnout for the march,
which sent a message to
the politicians "who
marched into the lobbies
in the Dail and voted
to allow the overflying
rights to continue".
David
Thorp
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