IRISH ANTI-WAR PROTEST: Thousands of people will simulate being killed in a "mass die-in" at today's anti-war protest in Dublin.
A programme of escalated anti-war action will be outlined at the rally, which is expected to attract from 5,000 to 10,000 people.
The march is being organised by the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA), the Irish Anti-War Movement and the NGO Alliance.
Marchers are being asked to assemble at Dame Street at 2 p.m. The march will pass by College Green and head down Nassau Street. It will continue past Leinster House in Kildare Street, and on to Merrion Street.
The protesters will stop at Government Buildings, which houses the Taoiseach's Office. A rally will take place there, and will include the "mass die-in". When sirens sound, people will be asked to simulate being killed. The crowds will remain lifeless on the ground for a few minutes.
The mass die-in is being held to show what is happening in Iraq, said Mr Roger Cole, PANA chairman. "This is actually happening in Iraq and we want to bring it home to people. Thousands of people will be blown to bits every night."
Mr Cole said Government Buildings were being targeted because of the Government's decision to allow US troops use Shannon Airport. "This is absolutely historic because the Government is advocating support for the war."
The rally will be addressed by the Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte; Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent; SIPTU president Mr Des Geraghty; and Ms Bríd Smith, of the Socialist Workers' Party.
Other speakers include Sinn Féin's Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh and a representative of the Islamic community.
"This is the first time a party leader has agreed to address an anti-war rally here, and I think that is very significant," Mr Cole said.
The crowd is expected to disperse by 5 p.m.
Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, chairman of the Irish Anti-War Movement, said he expected tens of thousands to attend anti-war protests across the country today.
Venues for today's marches include Belfast, Derry, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo and Donegal town.
The Cork Anti-War Campaign is organising its city's march. It is to assemble at Daunt Square at 1 p.m., and march through the city centre. Up to 4,000 people attended a similar march earlier this month.
A spokesman for the Cork group said the demonstration would focus on the use of Shannon Airport by US troops, "and we will be demanding the closure of these facilities".
He said today's rallies were not the end of the protest and anti-war actions would escalate in the coming days.
The Dublin rally will hear details of a major all-Ireland, anti-war demonstration which will be held "in the very near future".
The last demonstration in Dublin on February 15th attracted 120,000 people from all over the State.
