Lectern base , as used on the Eve Rally in Dublin , Sat 20 Sept 08. What a difference a day makes...
The weather more-or-less made a good attempt to do us an 'injustice' today : we were near baked alive! In sunshine and heat that reached between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius , approximately 300 people in total - comprising RSF members and supporters and snap-happy tourists on both sides of O'Connell Street - maintained a supportive vigil for about two hours in Dublin today for the annual Eve Of All-Ireland Rally.
At least one hour before the marchers had even formed-up at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square , a separate RSF crew had assembled a small stage and lectern structure in O'Connell Street , on the traffic isle facing the GPO , and a 'warm-up' speaker had pulled a crowd around him and managed to hold them there until the main contingent arrived from the Garden of Remembrance. The event was Chaired by Des Dalton , and speeches from Pat Garvey , Kerry , and Richard Walsh , Derry, highlighted in the first instance the on-going political issue of Westminster's jurisdictional and military interference on this isle , and both speakers and , indeed , the Chairperson, also made reference to the brave stand taken by Maura Harrington regarding the 'Shell2Sea' injustice , the courageous stand of the Tara protestors and mention was also made in relation to the poor outcome from the so-called 'social partners' in relation to the recent pay-rise 'award' .
Also , all the speakers called for the crowd to join with those who will be marching through Dublin on Saturday , October 11th next , in the Trade Union-organised campaign for a proper health service.
Apart from the usual - and expected, though not accepted - Special Branch harassment , mostly around the Garden of Remembrance , the event went as planned : the on-going Six County injustice was again highlighted by Irish Republicans, the political prisoner issue received a two-hour airing in O'Connell Street in Dublin , the 'Shell2Sea' ,'Tara' and poor health service issues were all raised and hundreds of republican 'POW' leaflets were handed out and dozens of copies of the 'Saoirse' republican newspaper were sold. A full report of this Rally will be carried in the October issue of 'Saoirse' , due out on the 1st of that month : meanwhile , we publish with this post a few pics from today's Eve of All-Ireland Rally , with more pics available here and on this 'Indymedia' thread.
The Rally on the way down to the GPO from the Garden of Remembrance.
RSF Colour Party at Eve Rally , Saturday 20 Sept 08.
Séan the Piper and RSF Colour Party.
Hundreds of these leaflets were handed-out to the public at the Eve Rally today.
Richard Walsh , Derry , and two Republican banners , in O'Connell Street , Dublin.
Profile pic of the RSF Colour Party at the Eve Rally today.
Paddy from Blanch , at the Eve Rally today-trying out the lectern for size!As stated , more pics on view at the two links mentioned above , and a full report will be carried in the October issue of 'Saoirse' .
Thanks!
Sharon.
