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03-Mar-2005

Activists occupy Irish embassy to support PitStop Ploughshares

by: Peace News/via TP

Activists inside the embassy make their voices heard.
PHOTO: (c) Hugh Warwick ,

London/Ireland: Five anti-war activists who barricaded themselves into the Irish Embassy in London on 2 March were arrested for trespassing on diplomatic premises. The occupation of the embassy, which lasted two and a half hours, was in protest against Irish support for the war in Iraq.

The group were demanding that the Irish government drop charges being made against the "Pitstop Ploughshares" for their 2003 attempt to disarm a US Navy Plane, which had been refueling at Shannon Airport en route to Iraq.

Speaking outside the embassy the spokesperson for the group, Joss Garman, said, "This morning the protesters spoke with the ambassador and called for an end to Irish complicity in this illegal and bloody war."

He added, "The Pitstop Ploughshares tried to prevent genocide, and uphold international law. Whilst they face prison, the real criminals like Bertie Ahern, remain at large."

Three members of the support group outisde the embassy were searched under s44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. One of the group commented:
"This is the new anti-terrorist act in action. Be prepared for a lot more of this stuff when you are out there on the streets, making your voice heard. We are all potential 'terrorists'. Even if you just hold a banner."

The five who were arrested inside the embassy were subsequently released after the Irish embassy decided not to press charges against them.

Pitstop Ploughshares will go to trial on 7 March in Dublin.

There will be coverage of the trial in the next issue of Peace News monthly.

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For interviews/information about the embassy occupation, contact Joss Garman (UKm 07815 004 578).

For background on the PitStop Ploughshares see: http://www.warontrial.com
http://www.tridentploughshares.org

For previous PeaceNews online coverage of PitStop Ploughshares see:
http://www.peacenews.info/news/article/127
http://www.peacenews.info/news/article/138
http://www.peacenews.info/issues/2450/24505.html