The Five Demands

G8 protest ‘defining moment in history’ (UTV)

Saturday’s anti-G8 demonstration in Belfast city centre, which has been hailed as a defining moment in history by organisers, passed off without incident amid a heightened police presence.

Police said around 1,500 people gathered at Belfast City Hall at lunchtime after parading through the streets – a significantly reduced figure compared with earlier estimations.

It is understood to be one of the smallest protests ever held in a G8 summit host country, with the rain likely to have played a part in keeping numbers down.

Those undeterred by the elements held placards calling for an end to world oppression and hunger, as well as calling for the eight world leaders due in Northern Ireland on Monday to put an end to “shady tax havens”, close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and guarantee free speech.

There was a series of events held at City Hall which included talks, debates, lectures, film screenings, comedy, music and dance.

It was organised by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which comprises trade unions, trades councils and campaigning groups such as Amnesty International, Friends of the Earth, the IPSC and anti-fracking campaigners.

A small number of loyalist flag protesters also gathered at city hall and held a low-key demonstration during the main event, heckling the police and anti-G8 speakers.

There was an unprecedented security presence in the city centre throughout the day, with police drafted in from numerous forces across the UK.

Addressing crowds at City Hall, Chair of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Pamela Dooley said Saturday’s event was a “defining moment in our history”.

The eight people meeting in Fermanagh are leaders of some of the richest and most powerful countries on the planet. They do not have our consent to form a Gang of eight or nine or 20 in order to force their damaging policies on the rest of us.

Pamela Dooley, ICTU Northern Committee Chair
She went on: “The crises which have swept across Europe, financial, economic, and political are mirrored here.

“For our members and their families there is no financial bail-out, only worry about an uncertain future.”

She added: “There is an obligation on the trade union movement and civil society to stand together to demand a different and better way.

“We know that we are facing the consequences of a corrupt capitalist system bereft of moral standards.

“It is a system which puts profit before people and always will. It is a system for the few and not for the many.

“It is not the people who are influencing the agenda but vested interest in the form of the lenders, speculators and investors.”

Patrick Corrigan, from Amnesty International, told UTV: “It was predicted there would be thousands that would take to the streets peacefully – thousands took to the streets peacefully.

“Some obviously were deterred by the very negative messaging coming out from some quarters that there was going to be trouble.

“There’s been a huge police presence, but nevertheless people came out to exercise their right to free speech and to speak out for a fairer world.

“That was the message coming out from every speaker at today’s march.”

A number of shops closed while the parade passed through the city centre before dispersing after 2pm.

Speaking after the city centre event, Paul McMahon, President of Belfast Chamber of Trade & Commerce, said: “Belfast traders are now looking forward to a bumper trading day ahead of Father’s Day.”

District Commander for south and east Belfast, Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said there were no arrests during the event in the city centre.

“Police put in place a significant policing operation to manage a notified G8 related parade, an event and any G8 related protest in Belfast city centre,” he said.

“The notified ICTU parade moved from Custom House Square just after 12.30pm to Belfast City Hall, where individuals were addressed by a number of speakers.

“A number of flag related protesters also gathered outside Belfast City Hall.”

“Both protest groups started to disperse at around 2pm. There were no arrests and traffic in the south and east of the city were returned to normal by 2.20pm.”