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Royston backs down over May Day protests
Dublin's Lord Mayor Royston Brady has been forced to admit that the May Day protests planned in Dublin are legitimate and that "every citizen has a right to make a peaceful protest".
In correspondence with one of the protest groups, the Dublin Grassroots Network (DGN), he admitted that after viewing their website www.struggle.ws he realised they "disagree with the direction that the EU is currently taking".
It is unclear whether he still stands by later comments that protesters coming from other EU countries should be banned from Dublin.
Liz Curry, the DGN spokesperson to whom Royston replied, said: "I'm happy that Royston recognises our right to peaceful protest. However, I don't know why he also says such protests should not cause widespread disruption in the city.
"The only 'widespread disruption' that seems likely is from the garda plan to shut many city streets and block some of the Liffey bridges. This will certainly disrupt the lives of many Dubliners, not least those living anywhere near the Phoenix Park".
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APPENDIX: Email correspondence between Liz Curry and Lord Mayor
March 30th 2004
Dear Lord Mayor,
In my capacity as one of the spokespeople for Dublin Grassroots, one of the groups organizing events for Mayday 2004, I am writing to you in relation to a quote attributed to you by The News of the World of Sunday March 28th.
On page 21 you are quoted as saying in relation to Mayday protestors: "Those who have genuinely held views against the expansion of the EU have every right to stage peaceful protests in Dublin or any other city."
Dublin Grassroots is looking for clarification as we recognise that tabloids often misquote and it is not likely, given the information available on our website and quoted in various publications, that you believe that events being organised around Mayday to highlight three issues, EU Immigration Policy, Militarization and Privatisation, are in fact against EU expansion.
The organisers of this Mayday's events welcome the accession countries and also welcome all of the non-EU citizens living in Ireland, as well as those who arrive in the future. We believe that this is a very crucial time of change for Ireland and to ensure the best future for the whole community we must show our commitment to the equal rights of all people in Irish society. As the constitution states, all children shall be cherished equally.
Regarding this we are very concerned by the government's call for a referendum on citizenship for Irish-born children as we find this proposal to be divisive, racist and inconsistent with the ideal of the "Ireland of a thousand welcomes" planned for Mayday.
We believe that the implementation of such an amendment would constitutionally discriminate against sections of Irish society and lead to disparity and unequal opportunities which would inevitably cause major problems in the future.
In regards to the sensational tabloid stories surrounding Mayday events we would ask you to view the actual programme of events at: www.struggle.ws/eufortress
We await your response,
Yours sincerely,
Liz Curry Spokesperson for Dublin Grassroots Network
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16 April 2004
Re: Mayday Protests 2004
Dear Ms. Curry,
Thank you for your letter of 30th March last and I note the contents of same.
In relation to the Mayday protests I would like to clarify my views on this issue by saying that every citizen has a right to make a peaceful protest about important issues that concern them. I have no objection to the proposed events being organised around Mayday as long as they are peaceful and don't cause widespread disruption in the city. I am also aware from the contents of your web site that you are not opposed to international integration but disagree with the direction that the EU is currently taking.
I hope this clarifies my position on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Councillor Royston Brady, Lord Mayor of Dublin
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For more information, including Mayday event plans, see: www.struggle.ws/eufortress
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