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Republican Belfast Says No to the PSNI

27/02/10

As petty harassment and the use of repressive tactics by the PSNI continues on a daily basis, éirígí activists in Belfast have thrown themselves into the Different Name, Same Aim campaign with determination.

As reported previously, banners have been erected at prominent locations around the city (Protest Against Section 44 & the PSNI) and a well-attended demonstration was held at the Andersonstown Barracks site (Opposing British Repression).

Meanwhile, thousands of campaign leaflets have been distributed to homes in the Lower Ormeau, Short Strand, St James’, Beechmount and Lenadoon areas. Thousands more will be handed out in other republican communities in the coming weeks.

The chairperson of éirígí’s west Belfast ciorcal John McCusker spoke of the positive reception party activists have been getting on the streets.

“People in working class republican areas across Belfast have been delighted to see éirígí activists bringing the Different Name, Same Aim campaign into their communities. They are well aware that the PSNI is little more than the RUC in a new guise.

“While constitutional nationalist commentators and politicians are fond of claiming that there has been a massive sea-change in policing in the Six Counties, the reality on the ground tells a different story and people in working class areas are well aware of that fact.

“How could anybody tell the people of Ardoyne and the Short Strand with a straight face that the PSNI is a depoliticised civic police service when, only a matter of months ago, the force was firing lethal plastic bullets at children in these areas, injuring many of them? What is the difference between these actions and the actions of the RUC? The answer is none.”

McCusker continued: “This is why éirígí is campaigning against political policing and the repression being directed at nationalists and republicans at the behest of the British government. Until Britain gets out of Ireland, the police thugs in uniform, under whatever guise, will always be at its beck and call.”

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