Eleven anti-racist activists from Dublin are being charged in relation to a protest against state racism which took place at the Taoiseach's constituency office on March 28.
On that day a short sit-in took place at the office. The action was taken as at that time, the cabinet was meeting to discuss a number of draconian measures to be introduced against asylum seekers. These included: the past to draw attention to * The introduction of unjust actions by governdetention camps ments in Ireland.
* The introduction of All eleven activists were accommodation on arrested and two prison ships (also called "flo- women were later striptels') searched in Fitzgibbon * Forcible fingerprinting of Street Garda Station. asylum seekers ne actvice have now * An expansion of the com- been charged under pulsory dispersal system the 1994 Public Order Act, The anti-racist groups with refusing to obey the involved took the decision to direction of a Garda. highlight these injustices in The maximum sentence is a direct but entirely peaceful individual fines of £500 manner. Occupations have ana/or a six moni senbeen used many times in tence. The cases are being Bertie Ahern is no more keen than Blair to welcome asylum seekers heard in the Dublin District Court on December 12 and 15 2000.
We believe that racism is the real crime, fighting it is not a crime. We are calling for the charges to be dropped.
* Send a message of support to the activists facing trial to: Residents Against Racism, c/o Comhlamh, 10 Upper Camden St., Dublin E-mail messages of support to: dublin_ 11@hotmall com