Nope.
The Table Campaign came into existence after members of the Mexico Group, frustrated by the response of the governments and the media to the IRA calling off its ceasefire, got their heads together with AfrI (Action from Ireland). An informal coalition of solidarity groups, it set out to reclaim public attention for the progress which had been made at grassroots, community level in the North during the 17 months of the ceasefire. Members of different groups agreed that something had to be done to prevent a return to the pre-ceasefire politics of 'if you don't agree with the government(s), you agree with the IRA'. With the white ribbon brigade already mobilising to put across this simplistic view, the groups decided a PR splash was needed.
Along came the idea of a huge table on O'Connell Bridge, surrounded by normal sized tables: all people talks, with no preconditions. The Table Campaign was born.
Two weeks of intense preparations lead to tension and some changes in the message. The Campaign became less critical of professional politicians and began to talk more about a need for all party talks. On the big day, the big table went up but the talks below it ended up off in the Ormonde Multimedia centre. The event was overshadowed by the massive white ribbon march the weekend before and the Campaign left suffering from internal disagreements. After the initial two hectic weeks the adrenaline rush began to subside.
The End, you might expect. But no: the Table Campaign continues, working now in a more low-key and long-term style. Over the summer members acted as monitors at Orange parades, visited relations of a victim of the security forces and continued to lobby Leinster House politicians. They plan to continue these activities and extend their work with communities. On Human Rights Day (Dec. 10th) they brought together groups from Dublin and the Catholic communities in the North to discuss issues arising from the Orange marches. So maybe the slogan for 1997 will be: Solidarity begins at home!
The Table Campaign can be found at 70 Rockfield Avenue, Perrystown, Dublin 12. Phone 0502.61035 or 01.4965422 or 01.4558682. Fax 0502.61590 or 01.496.5029
by Mark C