The recent anti-war march in Belfast

down | anti-war / imperialism | opinion/analysis

Tuesday March 23, 2004 12:46

by Justin O'Hagan

justinohagan at hotmail dot com

What is the connection between Basque separatism and the war in Iraq? The anti-war movement needs to be more focused!

I have been on every march in Belfast since the latest period of aggression began and I'm more than happy to march with people who I don't agree with on other issues.

However, the anti-war movement invited a Basque speaker to make a speech prior to the march and I see no connection between this issue of European nationalism and the question of Anglo-American imperialism in the middle-east. if the Basque issue is so closely connected to the anti-war campaign why not invite also some Kosovan Albanians or Breton separatists to give speeches next time!

My point is that the anti-war movemnet should not be sidetracked. Basque separatism is an issue for another march.

The person I was with on th prarde was angered by the prominence given to the Basque cause but went along with the march.
However, she left the gathering altogether when at the City Hall four people from Ogra Shinn Fein ( the let -them-be-radical-while-they're-young wing of Provisional Champagne) unfurled a banner which read 'Brits Out of Ireland' and displayed it to passing traffic . The marchg was about Iraq and these juveniles decided to sidetrack the issues with potentially divisive local concerns. I will be returning to anti-war marches but my friend won't and nor will the thousands who marched in Belfast last year unless we keep our focus.

Justin O'Hagan