redflag32
02-04-2008, 04:53 PM
Statement:
Saturday's Intimidation of Republican Socialist Marchers
Monday 4th February 2008
The Irish Republican Socialist Party would like to thank all those who braved the atrocious weather on Saturday to attend the Neil McMonagle 25th Anniversary commemoration.
Up to one thousand people attended the march which was a great tribute to our fallen comrade Neil McMonagle.
The PSNI/RUC put on a military show of strength on Saturday that was reminiscent of the worst excesses of the pre-name change days of the RUC. At least fifty armoured landrovers accompanied by hundreds of heavily armed PSNI militia members in riot gear saturated the whole of Galliagh and Shantallow from early morning until late in the evening. Border roads were lined with landrovers as was nearly every street in the area. Marksmen were placed at strategic points along and overlooking the route armed with high powered sniping rilfes.
This show of strength from the British police was unwarranted and unjustified and served to highlight the true nature of this force which is anti-republican to the core.
The IRSP have been inundated since Saturday by members of the public who have been expressing their disgust at the attempted intimidation meted out by the PSNI.
We supported Peggy O’Hara’s election campaign in May in which we put forward our view that the PSNI was unreformable. We stated that the PSNI is nothing more than the armed wing of Stormont and Saturday’s actions by the PSNI does absolutely nothing to change that view.
We have to ask why PSNI snipers were covering a peaceful parade in a republican area that permission had been sought from the parades commission and had been received.
Saturday’s events can only be described as highly provocative but the Republican Socialist community will not be intimidated by the forces of the British state.
ENDS
Saturday's Intimidation of Republican Socialist Marchers
Monday 4th February 2008
The Irish Republican Socialist Party would like to thank all those who braved the atrocious weather on Saturday to attend the Neil McMonagle 25th Anniversary commemoration.
Up to one thousand people attended the march which was a great tribute to our fallen comrade Neil McMonagle.
The PSNI/RUC put on a military show of strength on Saturday that was reminiscent of the worst excesses of the pre-name change days of the RUC. At least fifty armoured landrovers accompanied by hundreds of heavily armed PSNI militia members in riot gear saturated the whole of Galliagh and Shantallow from early morning until late in the evening. Border roads were lined with landrovers as was nearly every street in the area. Marksmen were placed at strategic points along and overlooking the route armed with high powered sniping rilfes.
This show of strength from the British police was unwarranted and unjustified and served to highlight the true nature of this force which is anti-republican to the core.
The IRSP have been inundated since Saturday by members of the public who have been expressing their disgust at the attempted intimidation meted out by the PSNI.
We supported Peggy O’Hara’s election campaign in May in which we put forward our view that the PSNI was unreformable. We stated that the PSNI is nothing more than the armed wing of Stormont and Saturday’s actions by the PSNI does absolutely nothing to change that view.
We have to ask why PSNI snipers were covering a peaceful parade in a republican area that permission had been sought from the parades commission and had been received.
Saturday’s events can only be described as highly provocative but the Republican Socialist community will not be intimidated by the forces of the British state.
ENDS