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Around 20 people winded their way through the damp city streets of Belfast to convene on the grounds of City Hall & engage in the wondrous act of conversation. The occasion for such a revolutionary event? - A ‘Public Speak Out Against War’*. The event was organised by individuals involved in ‘Our Kitchen’⁺ as an opportunity for people to get together & share their ideas & feelings about war & explore ways in which we can take action against war. Food Not Bombs provided scrummy biscuits & sandwiches.

Despite threatened eviction by security guards (stating ‘you can’t do that kind of thing here’ - conversating in a public place apparently illegal under city by-laws) a lively discussion ensued not just about the war in Iraq but war in general that do not receive the same international attention (such as wars in Central Africa, West Papau, Mexico etc). 

Brainstorming sessions on why wars exist came up with, why we’re against war, & actions we can take to combat war, were very productive. 

There was a positive feeling of people getting together to share ideas & awareness that this is an important beginning for social change. Many people have taken inspiration from ‘peoples popular assemblies’ coming together throughout the world especially in Latin America.  The European Social Consulta http://www.europeanconsulta.org is a network promoting direct democracy in Europe (contact the Belfast promoter group esc-belfast@gluaiseacht.org). 

It was decided to have the next ‘Public Speak Out’ on the 10^th May 2pm at City Hall.

*After several of the larger anti-war demonstrations (Feb 15^th, March 22^nd, April 12^th) in the city many of us felt disappointed. While undeniably it is important to get as many people as possible out on the streets to oppose war, we also feel that these events should empower people. Although many of the speeches at these events are often powerful, ultimately people are asked to stand & passively listen. We noted that at these events the speakers gave no practical examples of action that could be taken against war, nor did they mention any meeting point where people could come together to organise opposition to war. Speeches were made & the crowd asked to disperse, effectively dissipating people’s energy & power. 

⁺‘Our Kitchen’ - a gathering for people who want to change the world. An opportunity to network with individuals & groups involved in anarchism, environmentalism, peace activism & a whole host of other non-hierarchal stuff.  It takes place Every Wednesday at 7pm in the Resource Space downstairs in Giros (3-5 Donegal Lane/opposite the Front Page Bar close to the Irish News Office).

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