Campaigners have urged members of the public to come out in their thousands to protest at the visit of US President George W Bush to Ireland.
The Stop Bush Campaign, organised by the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM), Peace and Neutrality Alliance and the NGO Peace Alliance, held a press conference today on the eve of the President's visit. Mr Bush arrives in Ireland tomorrow night and leaves on Saturday afternoon.
Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent said: "If the President of the US is the most powerful office in the world, then George W. Bush, by his actions and attitudes, is the most dangerous man in the world. I urge all law-abiding people who believe in peace to protest loudly at the actions of the Bush administration."
Labour's Mr Ruairí Quinn said that Mr Bush should not be allowed to come to Ireland for "photo opportunities" to support his re-election campaign. He said that the meeting should have been held in Brussels.
Mr Brendan Butler of the NGO Peace Alliance and Richard Boyd Barrett of the IAWM stressed that the protests would be family-friendly and peaceful.
A petition opposing the war in Iraq, organised by Hot Pressand the IAWM, is being handed to the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, today at Government Buildings. It has collected 20,000 signatures in six days.
A Stop Bush demonstration takes place at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Parnell Square and in various cities around the country. On Saturday, protesters will assemble at Clarecastle, Co Clare, at 10 a.m. and march to Toomebridge, for a rally and music at about midday. Buses will leave Dublin at 6 a.m. on Saturday from Liberty Hall.