éirígí Shuts Down US Consulate

13/06/08

As part of the opposition to Monday's visit of US war criminal George W Bush to occupied Ireland, éirígí activists today (Friday) shut down the US Consulate in Belfast.

With chains, locks and an explanatory banner, republican activists arrived at the US administrative outpost this morning and promptly closed it to business.

As Consulate staff looked on, the activists chained and locked the entrance to the building, while a member of the Consulate's security staff locked the pedestrian entrance before éirígí's own lock and chain was applied.

The activists then unfurled their banner over the entrance, which stated: "Closed To Stop War Crimes".

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson explained the reasons for today's action.

"George W Bush and his administration are reviled around the world for committing countless war crimes and visiting death, destruction and untold misery upon millions of human beings.

"Their outposts in Ireland are a visible extension of these evil policies and should be treated as such. Starting with the massive demonstrations against the war on Iraq in 2003, the people of Ireland have shown that they are appalled by the crimes of the Bush regime and its allies.

"Today's action was the latest manifestation of this disgust."

Brian continued: "We are confident that Monday will see another rejection by Ireland of these crimes when the world's worst war criminal lands in Belfast.

"éirígí would rather stand beside the people's of Afghanistan and Iraq, who continue to bear the brutal brunt of the US-led occupation.

"We would rather stand beside the people of Palestine, who are dying daily at the hands of US-supplied bombs and weaponry.

"We would rather stand beside the people of Cuba, who suffer under the illegal and inhumane economic blockade which the US Empire imposes upon them.

"We would rather stand beside the tortured prisoners of Guantanamo Bay, the USA's most notorious concentration camp.

"We would rather stand beside any of the victims of US imperialism than be associated with George W Bush and his criminal regime when he comes here to speak hypocritically about peace."

Brian concluded: "The activists who carried out today's action are to be applauded and I hope that Monday lunchtime in Belfast city Centre will see a large rejection of George W Bush and those who invited him here in our name."

All those who wish to show their opposition to George W Bush's presence in Ireland are asked to assemble at Belfast City Hall this Monday (June 16) at 12.30pm. Bígí linn!