The Stormont 3

On 8 May 2007, three members of éirígí were assaulted and arrested outside Stormont Castle in Belfast.

The three were taking part in a peaceful protest, organised by the Belfast Anti-War Movement, aimed at highlighting the hypocrisy of Tony Blair claiming to be a ‘man of peace' in Ireland, while directing the brutal occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

As the protest got underway, the RUC/PSNI responded violently by attacking demonstrators.

Despite remaining peaceful during the attack, the three éirígí activists were charged with a string of violent offences.  The charges include assault, causing actual bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.

The arrests and the propaganda surrounding them were clearly an attempt to deflect attention away from the violent actions of the RUC/PSNI on the day.

There is a long history of politically motivated fit-ups in this country. The case of the three is a contemporary example and should not be allowed to proceed unopposed.

Also of critical importance is the right to engage in peaceful protest without the fear of suffering state violence in the process. It is totally unacceptable that state forces can use violence against protesting members of the public with impunity.

Whilst figures like Blair preach about bringing ‘democracy' to countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, their own state forces are given carte blanche to stamp out democratic dissent and opposition.

The Stormont 3 need the support of all those who oppose state violence and political scape-goating.

By supporting events held to highlight this case, and by joining the protests held outside each court appearance, you can help to ensure a successful and just outcome in the cases of the three.

The Stormont 3 are to appear again at Belfast's Laganside Courthouse on Friday, 29 June.