The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) and the NGO Peace Alliance this morning appealed for a big turnout at this weekend's street demonstrations against the US-led war in Iraq.
Co-organisers of the protest Richard Boyd Barrett, chair of the Irish Anti war Movement and Brendan Butler of the NGO Peace Alliance denounced the war as a "slaughter of innocents" and condemned the "hypocrisy" of the Government for "supporting US and British warmongering".
Mr Boyd Barrett said the Government were "taking the Irish public for fools" and expressed his hope the demonstration would encourage the Government to "end their collaboration with a war that enjoys no support in this country".
"The US and UK warmongers told us that they would be welcomed as liberators by the Iraqi people," he said today. "The stiff resistance being put up across Iraq to this invasion show the lie behind this. Whatever ordinary Iraqis may think of Saddam Hussein they do not believe that US B-52 bombers, cruise missiles and the shelling of their homes will liberate them."
The IAWM expects "tens of thousands of people" to take to the streets in protest.
The Dublin demonstration starts with a rally in Parnell Square on Saturday at 3 p.m. before a march through the city centre via the Dail to Government Buildings on Merrion St. There will be another rally at Merrion St.
The demonstration will be addressed by leading figures from anti war political parties, the trade union movement, NGO's and religious organisations, including representatives of the muslim community.