Would you attend a public demonstration protesting the actions of the real IRA?

Steve.Pseudonym · 10-03-2009 03:05AM #1

*EDIT: Just to point this out, Biggins has started an online petition here. It may not be much at this early stage, but I encourage you to sign.*

Do you think that tonight's killing of a PSNI officer, following saturday's attack on a northern Irish army barracks, warrants a protest by the Irish people?

My own opinion is that what we are seeing here is just the beginning. There will be more death, more killings in an attempt to drag loyalists back into feuding to give the real IRA's cause support. I am outraged that a small group of thugs can threaten to break the peace that so many people have suffered for, and to reintroduce the pain we had thought left behind. I am outraged that they can sully our reputation internationally, and make Ireland seem like a dangerous and unstable place once again. They must be stopped.

The real IRA claims to be the true Óglaigh na hÉireann. Let us show them that the people of Ireland do not support this claim, their objectives or their despicable actions. If they claim to represent the people, then let's show them the true will of the people. I have no doubt that they have little to no popular support, but I feel it is important that this be shown publicly, both to the real IRA and to the world.

So, where do you stand? Do you support the idea of protesting? Do you think it's too soon, or that the need is not pressing enough?

If there is support for this idea, does anyone have any experience in organising protests? Ideas and suggestions are welcome to be posted here.

CHD · 10-03-2009 03:06AM

Standard unfunny thanks whoring 1st reply.

Biggins · 10-03-2009 03:07AM

No, I would not attend

YES.

No hesitation in attending - no if's, no buts.
Have already stated this previously.

A Saturday march from the Spire/Spike/Overgrown Tent pole to the Dail would at least be in order.

TestTransmission · 10-03-2009 03:09AM

Have they acknowledged responsibility for tonights killing?

galwayrush · 10-03-2009 03:10AM

No, I would not attend

Yes we should demonstrate in as strong as way as possible what we think of the actions of the minority scum and show the world that we are a modern peaceful democratic people.
Perhaps a march / peace vigil in our major cities, books of condolences would be a start.

PrivateEye · 10-03-2009 03:12AM

No, I would not attend

I would, as I feel anyone who shoots an immigrant worker and a 19 year old lad delivering a pizza is an enemy of my class. f/ck them I think. I'm only19 and work in a pub, what if I poured a pint for a British troop? I'd personally be stauncely opposed to the role the British State has played in the Middle East, the North of Ireland and elsewhere- but my job is my job.

By shooting low-paid workers, and by killing soldiers and coppers at a time they have no support/mandate from the public who merely want peace, they have shown a complete lack of respect for the Irish people and their will.

I would hope the unions would get the banners out too, in solidarity with the families of the two workers.

A great idea.

yellowcurl · 10-03-2009 03:12AM

I would consider attending, but only if there is further violence

No i wouldn't. But only because they would probably bomb the protest and we'd all be goners. There doesn't seem to be any consideration for the safety/welfare of civilians. Also, they'd probably see us as the enemy from then on. I like all my arms and legs. If someone wanted to lend me a bombproof suit or something, i'd be there in a flash.

youcrazyjesus! · 10-03-2009 03:12AM

No, protesting is unnecessary / ineffectual

Today: a gun attack. Tomorrow: civil war. Sensationalise much?

These people are nothing. They will be arrested and jailed. There
will be no escalation.

Biggins · 10-03-2009 03:15AM

No, I would not attend

yellowcurl wrote: »

...they'd probably see us as the enemy from then on...

Understandable the fears.
I'd like to point out also that we are already targets.
Polish pizza men, Catholic police men and women being possible targets in definitely Catholic areas...

Yep, we are targets already.
For me its act now, help nip it in the bud if we can or pay ten fold perhaps later on...

deadhead13 · 10-03-2009 03:16AM

No, I would not attend

They do not have any popular support and that ultimately will be their downfall.

youcrazyjesus! · 10-03-2009 03:19AM

No, protesting is unnecessary / ineffectual

Stop sensationalizing it. These people release propaganda videos
of themselves training in the woods wearing blue denim jeans and
cheap waterproof jackets. They will be destroyed by the police and
many of them jailed. This is very unfortunate, the 3 killings, but they
have very limited capability.

yellowcurl · 10-03-2009 03:20AM

I would consider attending, but only if there is further violence

Biggins wrote: »

Understandable the fears.
I'd like to point out also that we are already targets.
Polish pizza men, Catholic police men and women being possible targets in definitely Catholic areas...

Yep, we are targets already.
For me its act now, help nip it in the bud if we can or pay ten fold perhaps later on...

True, speaking as someone who doesn't remember the troubles the first time around but having heard it all from family etc, i really hope it's only a few acts of violence. But even typing that i have the feeling that it's like saying "ah but it's only a few embers" when the house is on fire.

Steve.Pseudonym · 10-03-2009 03:23AM

No, I would not attend

youcrazyjesus! wrote: »

Today: a gun attack. Tomorrow: civil war. Sensationalise much?

These people are nothing. They will be arrested and jailed. There
will be no escalation.

No one has suggested civil war. However, the possibility of loyalist retaliation is very real if there is continued violence by dissident republicans. It is no stretch of the imagination.

Maybe in the morning we'll find out that this latest shooting had nothing to do with republicans and we'll never hear from them again. I hope that's true, but I doubt it strongly.

This is about sending a message, that we will not stand for this kind of thing on our island.

Rb · 10-03-2009 03:25AM

I would consider attending, but only if there is further violence

No - I don't particularly care what happens up there one way or another.

Gruffalo · 10-03-2009 03:25AM

No, I would not attend

I would certainly attend if I was in the country at the time. However, I would not think that it should be anti-RIRA. I would not want to give the scum the satisfaction. I would rather have it as a celebration of the peace we desire. Would be good to have it happen both sides of the imaginary line (border) to show that we may have differences but we are united in our desire for peace.

pierrot · 10-03-2009 03:25AM

I would consider attending, but only if there is further violence

FREE TIBET!!!

Protesters have very short memories, thankfully theres lots of bandwagons passing by.

deadhead13 · 10-03-2009 03:35AM

No, I would not attend

pierrot wrote: »

FREE TIBET!!!

Protesters have very short memories, thankfully theres lots of bandwagons passing by.

Yah why bother, when the cynical bandwagon is a much easier ride.:rolleyes:

JayeL · 10-03-2009 08:23AM

No, I would not attend

The RIRA stopped their campaign after their Omagh bomb and, if I could use such a cynical phrase, the PR disaster that followed. Groups like this need popular support or at least the tacit support that comes from the silence of those in their own community. Thankfully, even SF are pissed off over this, now the peace marches, north and south, need to happen this weekend. Make it crystal clear to these idiots that they have no support.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 10-03-2009 08:33AM

Biggins wrote: »

Understandable the fears.
I'd like to point out also that we are already targets.
Polish pizza men, Catholic police men and women being possible targets in definitely Catholic areas...

Yep, we are targets already.
For me its act now, help nip it in the bud if we can or pay ten fold perhaps later on...

I can not stress this enough.

We in the south are targets, 'they' are watching us. Gathering intelligence on Army movement, troop numbers, watching the police, watching escorts and gathering intell there, watching our post offices and banks and 'they' are ruthless - remember Garda McCabe!.

The gunman is the enemy of EVERYONE on this island - north and south of the border, they make no distinction.

To answer the OP's question.

I'm not allowed attend public protests - however in spirit I'd support it.
.

Ann22 · 10-03-2009 10:17AM

No, I would not attend

Rb wrote: »

No - I don't particularly care what happens up there one way or another.

I'm surprised and saddened to hear anyone saying that. Of course it affects us. These brutal murders are committed by our countrymen. The borders separating us don't guarantee safety either.
Those soldiers that were killed the other day were barely out of school. 21 and 23 years of age, with their whole lives ahead of them. They were riddled with 60 bullets. Imagine what their families must be going through. About to go out to Afghanistan to a real war zone...yet they were murdered here. I'm ashamed of the scumbags who did this.

Killme00 · 10-03-2009 10:20AM

No, I would not attend

Steve.Pseudonym wrote: »

a northern Irish army barracks

strange phrasing

hobochris · 10-03-2009 10:24AM

yellowcurl wrote: »

No i wouldn't. But only because they would probably bomb the protest and we'd all be goners. There doesn't seem to be any consideration for the safety/welfare of civilians. Also, they'd probably see us as the enemy from then on. I like all my arms and legs. If someone wanted to lend me a bombproof suit or something, i'd be there in a flash.

+1 as far as these nut jobs are concerned the war is still on and us demonstrating against it would make us enemies/traitors in there minds.. so I wouldn't put it past them to attack the protesters.

andrewh5 · 10-03-2009 10:29AM

No, I would not attend

hobochris wrote: »

+1 as far as these nut jobs are concerned the war is still on and us demonstrating against it would make us enemies/traitors in there minds.. so I wouldn't put it past them to attack the protesters.

We already are traitors to them because we have not rejected the Dail in favour of the 1919 Dail. They don't want a united Ireland where everyone lives in peace. They want a united Ireland on their 1916 declaration marxist ideals basis!

I have news for ye RIRA lads! NOT IN MY NAME!!!!!

Cianos · 10-03-2009 10:34AM

No, I would not attend

hobochris wrote: »

+1 as far as these nut jobs are concerned the war is still on and us demonstrating against it would make us enemies/traitors in there minds.. so I wouldn't put it past them to attack the protesters.

That's simply wrong. Anyone who operates under the name "IRA" (or any equivalent) is dependant on some level of public sympathy. The last thing they are going to do is blow up a peaceful protest in the South. The actual IRA became so strong because of community support. You can't have a revolutionary dissident group if the entire country is against your actions. The more people who raise their voice against them the better, as it will show them and the world that everyone is sick of the violence.

Killme00 · 10-03-2009 10:35AM

No, I would not attend

hobochris wrote: »

+1 as far as these nut jobs are concerned the war is still on and us demonstrating against it would make us enemies/traitors in there minds.. so I wouldn't put it past them to attack the protesters.

andrewh5 wrote: »

We already are traitors to them because we have not rejected the Dail in favour of the 1919 Dail. They don't want a united Ireland where everyone lives in peace. They want a united Ireland on their 1916 declaration marxist ideals basis!

I have news for ye RIRA lads! NOT IN MY NAME!!!!!

Cianos wrote: »

That's simply wrong. Anyone who operates under the name "IRA" (or any equivalent) is dependant on some level of public sympathy. The last thing they are going to do is blow up a peaceful protest in the South. The actual IRA became so strong because of community support. You can't have a revolutionary dissident group if the entire country is against your actions. The more people who raise their voice against them the better, as it will show them and the world that everyone is sick of the violence.

A monster of our own making. What happened to Frankenstein in the end?

Degsy · 10-03-2009 10:41AM

Hows about a demonstration against gun crime generally,drug dealing and gang warfare?
Run a few scumbags out of their houses and put them out of business.

stovelid · 10-03-2009 10:44AM

I would consider attending, but only if there is further violence

pierrot wrote: »

FREE TIBET!!!

Protesters have very short memories, thankfully theres lots of bandwagons passing by.

I'd rather see well-meaning people hitch a ride on a bandwagon than sit around on their hole all day making empty, cynical statements.

javaboy · 10-03-2009 10:46AM

Degsy wrote: »

Hows about a demonstration against gun crime generally,drug dealing and gang warfare?
Run a few scumbags out of their houses and put them out of business.

The problem is when you try to cover more than one issue with a demo/march, it loses a lot of its impact. Someone suggested earlier a march to the Dáil to show solidarity but you know it would get hijacked by an anti-government agenda to a certain extent.

Better to have a single issue demonstration.

hobochris · 10-03-2009 10:47AM

Cianos wrote: »

That's simply wrong. Anyone who operates under the name "IRA" (or any equivalent) is dependant on some level of public sympathy. The last thing they are going to do is blow up a peaceful protest in the South. The actual IRA became so strong because of community support. You can't have a revolutionary dissident group if the entire country is against your actions. The more people who raise their voice against them the better, as it will show them and the world that everyone is sick of the violence.

The real IRA today are not the IRA the same IRA that got Ireland its freedom. they are criminals hiding behind the name. They don't care what other people think, you would be naive to believe this is not the case.

Degsy · 10-03-2009 10:54AM

javaboy wrote: »

The problem is when you try to cover more than one issue with a demo/march, it loses a lot of its impact. Someone suggested earlier a march to the Dáil to show solidarity but you know it would get hijacked by an anti-government agenda to a certain extent.

Better to have a single issue demonstration.

They may dress up criminality in a political guise but shooting people is a crime involving guns.
There are people shot at the rate of at least one a week in the republic by armed scumbags,is it more important when its britsih soldiers killed?

Cianos · 10-03-2009 10:55AM

No, I would not attend

hobochris wrote: »

The real IRA today are not the IRA the same IRA that got Ireland its freedom. they are criminals hiding behind the name. They don't care what other people think you would be naive to believe this is not the case.

Yeah, but my point is that any group that tries to make themselves appear that they are fighting for a cause has to have the support of at least some of the community. The more community support, the more power they have. The less community support they have and the more protest there is about their actions, the less power they will have.

To most, they are criminals hiding behind the name, but to some, because they use the letters IRA, they are going to still give the impression of fighting for a cause - but the more people who object to their actions reduces the effectiveness of them.

Would you attend a public demonstration protesting the actions of the real IRA?

Would you attend a public demonstration protesting the actions of the real IRA? 287 votes

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