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Five anti-war campaigners are on trial for their part in protests against George Bush’s visit to Northern Ireland in April 2003. Catherine Ross, Colette Dornan nee McCann, Darren Malone, Padraig O’Connor, Tomas Gorman,  appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday 12^th & Friday 13^th of August at 10am. The charges range from the sublime & ridiculous 'malicious sitting'  to 'public disorder' & 'resisting arrest'. 

The arrests took place on the 8th of April 2003 outside Belfast City Hall when around 3oo people blocked the main road following a die-in to protest Bush's visit. Protestors criticised the PSNI's handling of the affair, the riot squad dragging clearly peaceful protestors (including school kids in uniform) & striking some with batons.

Taking over a year to come to trial the defendants have been subjected to the inconvenience & annoyance of over 10 court appearances on what are essentially minor charges. However none of the defendants have been deterred in their opposition to  war & all of them have taken part in actions & protests against Bushes subsequent visits to London & Shannon. 

Among revelations around Iraqi prisoner abuse the Butler Report & inquest into September 11th it seems timely to ask why Bush & Blair are not on trial. It is now widely accepted that Bush & Blair lied to & manipulated to push ahead with the occupation of Iraq in contempt of International Law.   

Belfast Food Not Bombs will be serving  breakfast outside the court from 9am on both days. Jam will feature heavily on the menu in support of the 'Jam Spreaders Against the War' on trial for 'preserving peace'. Come along to the court (It's just opposite the Waterfront Hall) & show your support & get yer breakfast into the bargain. 

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