Although we couldn't stay as long as we wanted to at the RSF Ard Fheis , which began today in a Dublin hotel , during the four hours that we were 'on site' (8AM to 12 Noon) we witnessed seven 'Special Branch' cars parked(/abandoned) around the hotel entrance and counted more than one dozen armed representatives of this corrupt State at the hotel door , quizzing every person that went in to or came out from the premises : the 'indirect' message in doing so , of course , is to convince the hotel owner , management , staff and customers that 'having Irish Republicans about the place is bad for business'. It didn't work , as we were made feel most welcome by all concerned except the armed State thugs , who prowled the vicinity looking for 'fresh meat' to contaminate.
However : during out short stay , we were introduced to representatives from Na Fianna Éireann , Cumann na mBan , CABHAIR and a spokesperson representing POW's in Portlaoise and Maghaberry prisons , all of whom were present to read messages of support for Republican Sinn Féin.
The following pictures were taken during the 'build-up' stage ie between 8AM and 9.30AM and , as such , are not representative of the Ard Fheis proper , but we couldn't wait around for the hall to fill up as we had to leave to start organising for the monthly raffle , which is being held tomorrow (Sunday 13th November) in a hotel on the Dublin/Kildare border - we're 'living' in hotels this weekend......;-) !
Speakers lectern 'backdropped' by Flag display.
9AM , in the Main Hall.
9.15AM - getting there....!
9.30AM - and the crowd filters in....
The 2012 RSF Calendar , on sale now for €5.
If we get more pics we will post them here in the next day or two , if we have no more raffles to attend to , that is..... !
Thanks ,
Sharon.
