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PR: Clarification of Picket on Brendan Howlin
28.03.1994
In response to the lubricious drivel emanating from the Labour Party concerning the Youth Defence picket on the clinic of Mr. Brendan Howlin, two points must be clarified.
1. At no time did any demonstrator from YD enter the offices of Mr. Howlin. Four constituents of Mr. Howlin visited his clinic where the Minister requested that one of them be removed. South East Radio read a statement from those constituents yesterday, 28 March 1994, where they said that they were not members of YD and their visit was not part of our demonstration. They also said that they made Mr. Howlin aware of that during their visit.
2. YD carried no placards stating Howlin Kills Babies. Posters were held saying
Don't let Howlin legalise Murder and Don't let Howlin kill Irish Babies.
YD absolutely defend their right to identify Minister Howlin as the person who will be chiefly responsible for legalising abortion. It is remarkable that a Minister and a political party who have stated their commitment to allowing the killing of children become so sensitive and easily distressed about a legitimate peaceful protest.
YD's demonstration in Wexford took the form of a silent procession through Wexford town which stopped outside Mr. Howlin's clinic for a short period to protest at the government's undemocratic refusal to grant the Irish people a pro-life referendum.
To say that we were at any time disruptive or intimidating is untrue and a pathetic attempt by the Labour Party to divert attention from their anti-life/anti-family policy
Finally, isn't is interesting to see a self proclaimed socialist party supposedly synonymous with the right to peaceful demonstration attempting to deny to Youth Defence the right to protest on behalf of unborn babies. Then again Labour are the "socialists" who voted for the Public Order bill.
End
