Offaly Anti-War Movement

The Offaly Anti-War Movement, would like to thank the local papers, local and national radio stations and RTE television for the positive coverage of our activism over the past few months. We disagree with our critics in the broader media and at street level who have used the apparent success of the coalition invasion of Iraq to claim that the International Anti War Movement have been wrong all along.

We do not believe that this war is over. Neither do we believe that the sight of a U.S. Marine draping the stars and stripes over the statue of Saddam Hussein heralds the advent of liberation for an oppressed people. It is a new chapter in their continuing plight of misery and suffering. This war has already been fought and won by the media. The general population has been persuaded into thinking that the removal of this brutal dictator is a victory of good over evil. This dictator was financed and armed by the US and UK, as are numerous other equally brutal dictators worldwide that enjoy the full support of these same forces. We condemn all dictatorships and the hypocrisy of US Foreign Policy in creating and arming them. 

We would like to extend thanks and gratitude to all who have attended and helped to organise recent protests. In conjunction with the Irish Anti War Movement and NGO Alliance, OAWM has been present and very visible at events such as the Peaceful Protests at the D�il, the Irish parliament, on Wednesday 2nd April, the Bush/Blair War Summit at Hillsborough on Monday 7th April, at the protests against US armed forces being allowed to use facilities at Shannon Airport en route to Iraq and other protests in Dublin. To date we have received correspondence from Offaly people protesting at Anti War Demonstrations in Washington DC, New York, London, Sydney, Paris, Barcelona, Milan and Rotterdam.

We have suspended our weekly Friday Night Vigil in lieu of diversifying and fundraising for Non US Military Humanitarian Aid to the civilians of Iraq. We embrace all who share our Anti War sentiments, do not be disillusioned, the fight for justice and peace continues�

Regards,

David Plunkett & Kieran Moran  Offaly Anti War Movement

INCREASE THE PEACE