Bush Statue to be Toppled in Guildhall Square (County Derry, N. Ireland)

[Say_What]

Any readers from the North who can supply any photos of this would be greatly appreciated.

<clips>

A STATUE of the U.S. president George Bush will be brought to ground by Derry's anti-war protesters in the Guildhall Square on Thursday afternoon.

The local anti-war coalition will hold a rally at Guildhall Square on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. where they intend to topple a statue of the U.S. president, in a gesture echoing the fall of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad in April this year.

The event is timed to coincide with this week's visit of President Bush to London, and is in solidarity with a similar event planned by the 'Stop the War Coalition' in the U.K. at which a giant statue of President Bush will be toppled in London's Trafalgar Square.

Many thousands are expected to gather in London from all over the UK and Europe to protest against America's continuing occupation of Iraq, which continues to take its toll on Iraqi civilians and coalition troops alike.

<http://icderry.icnetwork.co.uk/news/localnews/page.cfm?objectid=13635088&method=full&siteid=66002>

[neuvocat]

1. No way.

Did they put that statue up just for bringing it down? Still pretty cool.

On edit: the story finally loaded up. Thanks.

[Say_What]

2. Coincides with the toppling of Bush statue in London's Trafalgar Square

Yahoo!! A big :grouphug: to those participating from around the world.

[mbperrin]

3. This is good stuff!

Hopefully, coming soon near you! (and ME)

[Say_What]

4. Organisers Say 100,000 May Join Bush Protest

This link doesn't want to behave. Click on the title of the story on the right side of the page after you click the link.

<clips>

Anti-war protesters were today finalising plans for a series of demonstrations against the controversial visit of US President George W Bush, who arrives in London tonight.

The Stop The War Coalition, which is helping to organise a string of marches and rallies, said that opposition to the visit was growing.

Convenor Lindsey German told PA News she believed more than 100,000 people would join the biggest demonstration, in central London on Thursday.

"Opposition is just snowballing. Our phones have not stopped ringing with calls from people wanting to show their opposition to the visit.

"Feelings are running very strongly and the more we are told that we should welcome the President, the more opposition grows.

more...

[Catherine Vincent]

5. That is too cool! Has any American pResident been hated as much as bush*?

[Say_What]

6. Well, we hated "I am not a crook--tricky Dick" Nixon, and considered LBJ a

war criminal during Vietnam, but SmirkBoy really takes the cake. He wins first prize--the others never tried to f*ck with our rights the way the Bushistas are doing. SmirkBoy and Co. is in a realm all their own. Here's a link to history in pictures--plenty of protest photos. http://www.picturehistory.com/find/c/299/mcms.html

On edit: SmirkBoy is also the only selected pResident we've ever had so I guess the answer really is no.

[malachi]

12. Saint Ronnie the Numb was hated

by people from all over the world during his Reign of Ignorance.

[Say_What]

18. Except by Maggie Thatcher

Man, if I did to the world what RayGun did, I'd have alzheimers too.

[goforit]

7. Now that's the fighting Irish spirit!

Now remember that the Saddam statue was knocked down by the US and not the Iraqis......


A true imperialistic action.

[dbt]

8. KICK!!!

Go, Derry!

What a stunning contrast to the receptions that one Bill Clinton got in Ireland and/or Northern Ireland, eh?

:beer:
dbt

[Socialist Christian]

9. i get dibs on the head <nt>

[qwertyMike]

25. Clinton - N Ireland

My Dad (and old RED) was moved to tears by Clinton's public appearance in Belfast before an estimated crowd of 200,000 (Protestant + Catholic).
He was adored, and there was no political gain in it for Bill. The guy came back 3 times.
He wanted to help is all.

[Say_What]

29. I was in Ireland in 1999 both the Republic and the North

and a man in County Donegal really went on about how impressed he was with Clinton's efforts for peace in the world.

When I was in the North I stayed in Cushendall and in Enniskillen--beautiful country all of Ireland--saw rainbows everyday. On my places rated list, all of Ireland rates at the top primarily because the people were just so fooking great!! Starting in Cobe, I drove clockwise around the island. When I got to Connemara the rains really started to come down and then from Donegal it poured heavy rain on into the North. I was hoping to see more of the North, but the rain kinda chased me out. I did see lots of County Fermanaugh and the Antrim coast but I was hoping to see more--the Glenns, I missed them because it was so foggy and rainy. Was supposed to spend a day or so in Belfast, but it was just too rainy so I headed south. When I crossed back into the South there were armed guards checking cars coming into the North.

Peace!!


Hey, did anyone see the toppling of the statues??

[Say_What]

10. Bush Visit is a 'Huge Waste'

Again the link doesn't want to mind. Click the link and then click the title on the right side of the page :-)

<clips>

The British public was already making it clear that the controversial visit of President George Bush was a "huge waste" of time and money, protest organisers claimed today.

Hundreds of people packed into the first anti-Bush rally in London last night and hundreds more were attending an "alternative" state procession today.

The Stop The War Coalition (STWC) said the support shown had already highlighted the strength of feeling among the public.

The group is expecting over 100,000 people from across the country to join the biggest protest tomorrow, predicting it will be one of the biggest demonstrations against a VIP visitor.

more

[veganwitch]

11. why are there statues anyway??

first off, bush is a foreign leader.

second, hes not dead yet. hes not even done with his first term.

it seems insane to me that there would already be graven images of him.

i definately want to see pictures.

[LivingInTheBubble]

13. I think they will probably make them.

Guy Fawkes style.

[Judi Lynn]

14. I read, at one source, the giant Duhbya is a cardboard statue

another says papier maché. I also read they're going to use a tank to pull it over, (London) to resemble, as closely as possible, the PNAC moment of triumph in Baghdad.

I finally "got it" and realized there are TWO giant statues. Really, really hope D.U. gets some great photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10:18am (UK)
Bush Visit Is 'Huge Waste' Say Protest Leaders

By Alan Jones, PA News


The British public was already making it clear that the controversial visit of President George Bush was a “huge waste” of time and money, protest organisers claimed today.

Hundreds of people packed into the first anti-Bush rally in London last night and hundreds more were attending an “alternative” state procession today.

The Stop The War Coalition (STWC) said the support shown had already highlighted the strength of feeling among the public.

The group is expecting over 100,000 people from across the country to join the biggest protest tomorrow, predicting it will be one of the biggest demonstrations against a VIP visitor.

STWC convenor Lindsey German said: “Thousands of people have already been out protesting so it is absolutely clear that George Bush is not welcome here.

“The visit is a huge waste of time and money and I think it will prove to be a huge embarrassment, particularly for our Prime Minister.” (snip/...)

http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2194579

[Lisa]

21. CBC showed footage of the statue being made ...

Looked like papier-mache -- hope it has time to dry!

[Whoa_Nelly]

15. Is there a webcam link to Guildhall Square ?

Went goggling to try to find one, but no luck so far. Would love to have a first look at this event.

[Say_What]

17. Timed to coincide with statue topple at Trafalgar Square (webcam)

Here's the webcam for Trafalgar Square. Remember the time difference and hope we get some photos. :bounce:

http://www.camvista.com/england/london/trafsq.php3?pageMode=nonjava

[Judi Lynn]

24. Thanks for providing that GREAT Trafalgar Square live cam link

It's 6:38 a.m., EST right now, and they are already unloading a huge truck there. Looks like a front row seat.

Looked back at the original article, which says it'll all go off as planned at 4:00 p.m., THEIR TIME.

[DeathvadeR]

16. It's live on Fox right now!!!!!!!!

Not.

[prolesunited]

19. LOL!

Yeah, I'm sure they'll be showing breaking live news coverage talking about what a victory it is for democracy. :eyes:

[Say_What]

20. UK IndyMedia: Resist Bush! Day of Civil Disobedience 11/19

<clips>
Wednesday 19th

Today is billed as a day of civil disobedience and direct action throughout the country. In London, amidst the massive security operation, people will be taking to the streets with events and actions, which started early this morning with the delivery of a Tarte au Citron to the Queen courtesy of the Biotic Baking Brigade. Many more actions will be taking place throughout the day (see London Listing + ResistBush.org).

Listen Indymedia Radio Program 1-2pm
Timeline of Different Events:
Critical Mass

<14:00> - The Critical Mass at Buckingham Palace got surrounded by lots of police on bikes; they split in different directions to get off the cordon.
<13:30> - 200 people on foot joined the Critical Mass and are now marching down The Mall. Passed Buckingham Palace and moving towards the Home Office at Victoria. One person arrested for "walking on the grass" at St. James' park.
<12:30> - Critical Mass is still riding around central London, last seen in Oxford St.
<11:00> - Around 100 cyclists arrive at Parliament Sq. Police has put a line blocking access to Whitehall. The crowd decided to turn back and now are riding down Waterloo Bridge. The whole area is full of police.
Alternative State Procession

<12:45>: The police suddenly arrested a young man in the middle of the crowd for swearing! The police threw a cordon round the crowd to prevent them de-arresting him, and then proceeded to arrest a photographer also for swearing, and dragged him away violently!
<12:30>: The relaxed and upbeat procession has now ended in Trafalgar Square where there was the Big Red Bus back from Baghdad. A effigy of President Bush as a monkey was paraded around. and the mock Queen and Bush gave a speech from the carriage. Pictures
<12:15>: Now heading past Charing Cross Station towards Trafalgar Square.
<11:45>: The procession has just set off and is now marching over Waterloo Bridge.
<11:30>: 500 people gathering in Jubilee Park and being surounded by a line of police, which in turn, are surounded by masses of corporate media. The protesters have brought in several props, which include a moc royal carriage, a pink tank and a massive missile. Many people dressed up in ceremonial gear. The atmosphere is jovial and fun.

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2003/11/280786.html

[bushisanidiot]

22. Go Granny Go!!! I want pictures!!

4pm in london is what time in the u.s. midwest?

[Zero Gravitas]

23. 10 am

6 hour time difference. 5 hours from the East Coast.

[chenGOD]

27. A little less than 2.5 hours to go.

Tune in if you can....

all british DUers in the area, head on down if you can make it!!!

[dbt]

26. This just in!

The Derry statue of bu$h will,indeed, be constructed of papier mache, except for the head--which will be carved out of solid bone.

:evilgrin:
dbt

[chenGOD]

28. Little more than an hour to go....

tune in here

http://www.camvista.com/england/london/trafsq.php3?pageMode=nonjava

There are already tons of protestors, no way the media is gonna be bale to bury this. well maybe in America, I know that whole pressing matter of a pop star is taking up all the news stations.

[Say_What]

30. Did they topple the statues yet??

[chenGOD]

31. Not yet...

about 30 minutes to go if I'm on the mark with my time conversions. Best to double check though.

[Say_What]

32. Countdown 8 mins. to go ;-)