Thousands protest against war at US Embassy

Up to 2,000 people took part in a protest this evening at the US Embassy at Ballsbridge in Dublin to voice their opposition to the war in Iraq.

Earlier, the Irish Anti-War Movement had called on Irish citizens to mount mass protests this evening against the US-led war in Iraq.

The group said thousands of workers, students and school pupils took part in stoppages and walk-outs today.

The chairman of the IAWM, Mr Richard Boyd Barrett, said: "The complicity of the Irish government in this murderous war through providing facilities for the US military at Shannon airport is an absolute disgrace.

"This war has little support among ordinary people and has provoked a wave of anger and revulsion," he said.

"We call on the people of Ireland to come out in their thousands at 6 p.m. tonight to their town centre demonstrations to show this carnage is not being mounted in our names".

Earlier, several hundred protesters gathered outside the Dáil to protest at the Government's decision to continue allowing US military aircraft use Shannon Airport.

The Dáil is holding a six-hour debate on a Government motion which, among other topics, contains a clause permitting US forces continued use of Irish airspace and facilities.

The 10-minute work stoppage at noon was observed by thousands of people, the IAWM claimed. They said hundreds of students in University College Dublin, Dublin City University, Limerick University and the Waterford Institute of Technology walked out, as did secondary school students in several schools in Dublin.

Around 50 health workers at James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, staff at the National Museum of Ireland in Kildare Street and Collins Barracks and workers at the Motor Taxation office in Cork also stopped work.

Up to 1,000 students from second level colleges in Derry took part in an hour-long city centre protest.

The NGO Peace Alliance said it was "extremely disappointed" at the Government's refusal to condemn the attack on Iraq. "We call upon thousands of Irish people to reject this shameful position by thronging the streets of Dublin and other cities and towns next Saturday" said the alliance's co-ordinator, Mr Brendan Butler.

SIPTU's National Executive Council also interrupted their monthly meeting.

"This war is not only unnecessary but illegitimate in the context ofinternational law", said Mr Joe O'Flynn, SIPTU General Secretary.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions have organised peace vigilstomorrow at the Spire of Dublin and other locations in various town and cities between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Weekend anti-war protests are set to take place in Dublin, Cork, Derry, Belfast, Galway, Sligo and Waterford.