MORE than 400 demonstrators chanting "Hey, hey JFK, how many kids did you kill today?" protested yesterday evening at the arrival of the aircraft carrier at Dun Laoghaire.
The Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, also turned down an invitation to attend tomorrow's American Independence Day celebrations on the ship in protest at its part in the Gulf War. Aircraft from the ship were involved in bombing Iraq and in other actions involving US forces where civilians died.
Said Ms McKenna. Instead of welcoming the JFK, Irish politicians should be pushing for an end to the international embargo on food and medical supplies to Iraq. This action, according to a recent World Health Organisation report, has contributed to the 600 per cent rise in infant mortality since the end of the war."
Ms McKenna and several of the demonstrators at Dun Laoghaire said the carrier had also carried nuclear weapons and was accompanied during war by submarines carrying intercontinental nuclear missiles.
The carrier is not nuclear powered and the US authorities have insisted there are no nuclear weapons on board or that it is accompanied by any nuclear carrying or driven vessels.
The protest was led by the Stop the Warship Campaign which includes a number of socialist and environmental groups.
One of the campaign leaders, Ms Deirdre Cronin, said they were opposed to the Irish State "presenting US military might as a cause for celebration". The visit, she said, also had implications for Irish neutrality.
Further protests are to be held and the static display of warplanes from the carrier at Dublin Airport will also be picketed.
Last night's Dun Laoghaire demonstration passed off peacefully and was monitored by the Special Branch.
. Following traffic chaos and lengthy tail backs in Dun Laoghaire yesterday, the Automobile Association (AA) has advised motorists travelling through the area this week to use Tivoli Road and Corrig Road. Marine Road, Crofton Road and Queen's Road are closed.
