Friday, April 14, 2017

Thousands of furious veterans take to Britain's streets in protest against the 'witch hunt' prosecutions of soldiers who served in the Northern Ireland Troubles

  • Ex-servicemen dressed in ties and berets gathered near Horse Guards Parade
  • The event is running alongside simultaneous protests in Glasgow and Belfast
  • It is against the alleged 'witch-hunt' of soldiers who served during the Troubles
  • Scores of soldiers are being prosecuted for crimes decades on from the conflict 

Thousands of veterans took to the streets of some of the UK's major cities to protest the 'witch hunt' prosecutions of veterans who served in the Troubles.
Ex-servicemen dressed in ceremonial ties and berets from several regiments gathered in London, Belfast and Glasgow, four days after the nineteenth anniversary of the historic Good Friday agreements.
Tensions ran high on Friday morning in the Northern Irish capital, following counter-protests by hardline republicans.
British military veterans hold a rally near the Mall in London following the prosecution of ex-servicemen who fought in the Troubles
British military veterans hold a rally near the Mall in London following the prosecution of ex-servicemen who fought in the Troubles
Dennis Hutchings, who is facing a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a fatal shooting in 1974, addresses the crowd in London
Dennis Hutchings, who is facing a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a fatal shooting in 1974, addresses the crowd in London
400 Northern Ireland army veterans from Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans take to the street of Glasgow during a simultaneous protest
400 Northern Ireland army veterans from Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans take to the street of Glasgow during a simultaneous protest
And the supporters of British troops were also out in force in Belfast, where Union Jacks can be seen being waved, as the crowds cheer
And the supporters of British troops were also out in force in Belfast, where Union Jacks can be seen being waved, as the crowds cheer
The demonstration was organised by British military campaign group, Justice For Northern Ireland Veterans (JFNIV).
The group claims a series of high-profile prosecutions and investigations into alleged abuses by British soldiers in Northern Ireland amount to an unjust 'hounding' of servicemen compared with the Government's treatment of former IRA members.
Among those who addressed the crowds adjacent to the capital's royal thoroughfare, the Mall, was former soldier Dennis Hutchings, who is facing a charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a fatal shooting in 1974. 
JFNIV organiser Alan Barry said he was pleased with the show of support from the estimated 3,000 people attending at the London event, at Horse Guards Parade. 
Mr Barry, who is a Northern Ireland veteran of the Grenadier Guards, said the group always agreed that genuine crimes should be prosecuted, but said the majority of investigations into alleged abuses were unfounded.
He said: 'No soldier ever left barracks with the intention of committing murder.
'When we left barracks, we left barracks on patrol, and if we were fired at, we fired back.'
Protesters also gathered at a simultaneous military veterans' rally at Horse Guards Parade, in London
Protesters also gathered at a simultaneous military veterans' rally at Horse Guards Parade, in London
More crowds in London, dressed smartly in suits or military uniform, holding up banners in protest of the prosecutions
More crowds in London, dressed smartly in suits or military uniform, holding up banners in protest of the prosecutions
Around 3,000 people took to the streets of the British capital, in addition to the other two demonstrations. Many can be seen waving flags as they march along
Around 3,000 people took to the streets of the British capital, in addition to the other two demonstrations. Many can be seen waving flags as they march along
Protesters line up along Whitehall.  JFNIV organiser Alan Barry said he was pleased with the show of support
Protesters line up along Whitehall.  JFNIV organiser Alan Barry said he was pleased with the show of support
The procession can be seen here playing the drums and playing the bagpipes as they march down Whitehall
The procession can be seen here playing the drums and playing the bagpipes as they march down Whitehall
Mr Barry said the group's 'next mission' will be to march on Stormont if the Government continued to pursue prosecutions. 
After hearing from political activists and former soldiers, the gathered ranks of supporters arranged in a column and marched to the Cenotaph, where a rendition of the Last Post was played against a swell of bank holiday traffic.
Mr Hutchings said he was 'absolutely gutted' to be facing trial.
The 75-year-old, from Torpoint in Cornwall, said: 'Of course I'm feeling nervous about it because you don't know what way it's going to go.'
In Glasgow, the group of nearly 300 veterans lined up in George Square before beginning their march through the city.
Paisley Comrades Pipe Band led the procession, with some marchers holding banners reading ‘Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans.’
More protesters - these from the Ulster Defence Regiment - at the military veterans' rally at City Hall, Belfast, organised by Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans
More protesters - these from the Ulster Defence Regiment - at the military veterans' rally at City Hall, Belfast, organised by Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans
But hardline Republicans held a counter demonstration against the military veterans' rally outside City Hall, Belfast
But hardline Republicans held a counter demonstration against the military veterans' rally outside City Hall, Belfast
Dissident republican Colin Duffy (centre) with republicans during the counter demonstration. They feel the prosecutions are just, and can be seen with signs saying 'British state murderers have Irish blood on their hands'
Dissident republican Colin Duffy (centre) with republicans during the counter demonstration. They feel the prosecutions are just, and can be seen with signs saying 'British state murderers have Irish blood on their hands'
Further signs at the counter protest can be seen with the slogans such as 'Brit paras shot my daddy'
Further signs at the counter protest can be seen with the slogans such as 'Brit paras shot my daddy'
The two opposing sides clashing in the same area in Belfast required a large police presence
The two opposing sides clashing in the same area in Belfast required a large police presence
Bookended by two police vans, a small group of police officers walked along with the march to help control the increasing traffic.
Good Friday shoppers on Buchanan Street and Argyle Street stopped to watch and take photos of the march.
One of those marching was Steve Simpson, ex-First Battalion Scots Guard.
He said: ‘We feel that the government has let us down. We followed what we were supposed to do and now we’re being persecuted for it. Until our voice is heard we will keep marching.’
Another ex-soldier, John Hunter of the Edinburgh Regiment, wore his medals proudly on his chest and said: ‘The witch hunt that’s going on in Norther Ireland is unacceptable. They’re dragging 68 year olds into court. They pardoned the IRA in the Easter Sunday agreement. It really is like a witch hunt.’
Coming in a full circle, the veterans marched back up Queen Street and onto George Square where they gathered to listen to speaker Kenny Corcoran.
Mr Corcoran from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, helped organise the march and served in the Core of Royal Engineers from 1977 to 1992.
He spoke passionately to the attentive crowd and said: ‘No service person ever threw a bomb into a chip shop full of women and kids. No service person ever enticed three young men from a pub, take them down and slaughter them and left them at the side of the road for school kids to find in the morning.
‘Soldiers are not above the law by any means, but the law has thoroughly investigated these cases at the time. These surges have been brought to appease the Sinn Fein, IRA.
The demonstration was organised by British military campaign group, Justice For Northern Ireland Veterans, some of whom are seen here holding up a banner
The demonstration was organised by British military campaign group, Justice For Northern Ireland Veterans, some of whom are seen here holding up a banner
More crowds in the streets of Glasgow protesting against the 'witch-hunt' prosecutions of former soldiers
More crowds in the streets of Glasgow protesting against the 'witch-hunt' prosecutions of former soldiers
‘Any judge who takes these cases will be under the ultimate pressure from Sinn Fein, IRA, to bring a guilty verdict against our soldiers.’
In his speech he referenced the letter given by MP John Reid to Tony Blair as part of the Good Friday agreement.
Mr Corcoran said: ‘In that letter it clearly stated that the agreement would not extend to her majesties forces. We want to know if this information was hidden from the government of the day to push the agreement through and leaving us wide open to allegations and prosecutions.
‘Be under no allusion gents, every Norther Ireland veteran is under the microscope, but like the triggers, we will not go away. We will fight this government tooth and nail, we will parade in every major town and city of Britain until the people of this island realise what effect a witch hunt like this has on us. And until the people of this island stand behind us and stop all of these prosecutions.
‘Margaret Thatcher would turn in her grave if she could see what was happening to her boys. Ladies and gents I thank you warmly for coming today and showing the government that we will not take this lying down and we certainly will not go away.’

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Attorney General to go to court to BLOCK prosecution of Tony Blair over the Iraq war after families of dead servicemen brought case against him because he 'misled Parliament'

Attorney General launched legal bid to throw out attempt to haul Blair to court
Tory MP Jeremy Wright, the government’s top law officer, launched intervention
Judge ruled last year ex-Prime Minister had immunity from criminal prosecution.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4416852/Attorney-General-court-block-Tony-Blair-prosecution.html

Anonymous said...

Le Pen's FN party calls EU flag 'oligarchic rag'



https://www.yahoo.com/news/le-pens-fn-party-calls-eu-flag-oligarchic-111730685.html

Anonymous said...

A youth revolt in France boosts the far right
Marine Le Pen’s hopes of winning the presidency may rest on her appeal among the young


http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/world/2017/04/19/a-youth-revolt-in-france-boosts-the-far-right/

Anonymous said...

A youth revolt in France boosts the far right
Marine Le Pen’s hopes of winning the presidency may rest on her appeal among the young



http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/world/2017/04/19/a-youth-revolt-in-france-boosts-the-far-right/

Anonymous said...

Here, Sweden's minister-president poses with the rapist of an 80-year-old.



https://translate.google.com/translate?depth=4&hl=en&nv=1&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=de&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=http://www.freiezeiten.net/hier-posiert-schwedens-ministerpraesident-mit-dem-vergewaltiger-einer-80-j-hrigen

Anonymous said...

Flemish minister: Turkish-sponsored mosque is ‘nest of spies’



https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/flemish-minister-turkish-sponosred-mosque-is-nest-of-spies/

Anonymous said...

A brave mum from Sunderland has spoken out giving up her right to anonymity following alleged kidnap, gang rape, and brutal attack by six immigrants from Syria and Iraq.
She simply does not want incidents like this to be pushed under the carpet.



https://policehour.co.uk/2017/01/brave-sunderland-woman-speaks-out-following-kidnap-gang-rape-and-brutal-attack/

Anonymous said...

Spain: Muslim Drives Car Into Crowd in Palma de Mallorca. Police Calls it “Accident”.


https://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/spain-muslim-drives-car-into-crowd-in-palmademallorca-police-calls-it-accident-terrorism/

Anonymous said...

Human Rights Doctors Call on “White Helmets” in Syria to End Fake Rescues and Killing Civilians.



https://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2017/04/13/human-rights-doctors-call-on-whitehelmets-in-syria-to-end-fake-rescues-and-killing-civilians/




Anonymous said...

TV Describes Black FB Live Shooter Having 'Dark White Skin'



http://www.rense.com/general96/darkwhite.html

Anonymous said...

The suppression of ideas and the closing out of debate.



https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/the-suppression-of-ideas-and-the-closing-out-of-debate/

Anonymous said...

Up to 2.5 million Turkish votes were possibly ‘manipulated,’ intl observer says



https://www.rt.com/news/385141-turkey-manipulated-votes-referendum/

Anonymous said...

Anti-Marine Le Pen Shenanigans.


http://www.rense.com/general96/antimarine.html

Anonymous said...

Le Pen vows to challenge ‘savage globalization’ in final push ahead of French presidential vote.


https://www.rt.com/news/385109-le-pen-elections-rally-protests/

Anonymous said...

The Center of Economic Power Is Shifting Eastward — And the West Is in Total Denial

The West stews in self-denial as China and Russia move forward with the New Silk Road


http://russia-insider.com/en/center-economic-power-shifting-eastward-and-west-total-denial/ri19632

Anonymous said...

Horst Mahler Outlines Jewish Plot Against White Race in Final Public Sp



http://therealistreport.com/horst-mahler-outlines-jewish-plot-against-white-race-in-final-public-speech/

Anonymous said...

Le Pen Faces Disaster In Election After "Monumental" Computer Error.



http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-15/le-pen-faces-disaster-election-after-monumental-computer-error

Anonymous said...

Here is proof that the Rothschild-controlled
central banking cartel is behind
Communism and world government tyranny.



See more at: https://www.henrymakow.com/2017/04/Was-Victor-Rothschild-a-Soviet-Agent.html#sthash.FvXNHKoI.dpuf

Anonymous said...

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http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/04/the-fall-of-journalism-ethics-and.html

Anonymous said...

14 Wounded After Illegal Migrants Storm Town Hall to Protest France’s Immigration Laws



http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/19/france-illegal-migrants-storm-town-hall/

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http://www.newobserveronline.com/2017/04/behind-crisis-jewish-lobby-vs-north.html

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https://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2017/04/19/the-dershowitz-question/

Anonymous said...

Malala in Lalaland



http://www.torontosun.com/2017/04/18/malala-in-lalaland?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=recommend-button&utm_campaign=Malala+in+Lalaland

Anonymous said...

WATCH: College students’ terrifying answers on gender and ‘age’ identity show just how lost we are.



https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/watch-college-students-answers-on-gender-and-age-identity-show-just-how-los?utm_content=bufferff77f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=lifesitenews%2Btwitter&utm_campaign=buffer

Anonymous said...

Top detective whose son was beaten senseless by a thug was driven out of his police force when he nailed the culprit because his colleagues had bungled the manhunt

Detective Superintendent Pete Jackson's son Tom was beaten up in Manchester
When Greater Manchester Police closed case his dad sought out CCTV footage
Anthony Bamgbose was eventually jailed for 23 months for the brutal assault
But Pete found himself in deep trouble with his bosses and is now taking the force to an employment tribunal for constructive dismissal.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4433988/Why-detective-fired-catching-son-s-attacker.html

Anonymous said...

Force to be reckoned with: New Met chief Cressida Dick inspects her new recruits at Hendon passing out parade

Cressida Dick, the Met's first woman commissioner, inspected 88 recruits today
Dick, who took over earlier this month after the Westminster attack, said all of the officers had a 'promising future' ahead,



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4433702/New-Met-chief-Cressida-Dick-inspects-new-recruits.html

Anonymous said...

@Anonymous 21 April 2017 at 23:37


https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/04/19/uks-most-senior-police-officer-cressida-dick-is-in-same-sex-relationship/ or https://archive.is/w95eU

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2007/11/01/met-found-guilty-over-menezes-shooting/