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PR: YD Walk-in During Harney Address
15.11.2003
On Saturday the 15th of November at 2:30pm Youth Defence members launched the fourth phase of their campaign against EU funding of embryo research, by staging a walk-in to the Young Progressive Democrats conference in Chief O'Neills Hotel, during an address by Tainiste, Mary Harney. The walk-in prevented the Tainiste from continuing with her speech.
The walk-in was in response to the stated intention of Mary Harney to vote in favour of EU funding of embryo destruction at the Council of Ministers of the EU on November 27th. In response to this latest attack on unborn human Life Youth Defence launched a series of activities to inform the public about this situation.
Three weeks ago we began the first phase of our campaign which took the form of a daily peaceful protest outside the Department of Enterprise,Trade and Employment. These demonstrations have taken place every lunchtime weekday, and will continue until the day of the vote.
We moved into the second phase of our campaign on the 2nd of November. This phase involved leafleting and canvassing the constituency of Mary Harney with a specially designed leaflet. This caused such a stir that her offices have received over 700 calls demanding that she votes No.
During the week we launched the third phase, which involves a concentrated leaflet drop and canvass by our regional volunteers around the constituencies of other prominent Progressive Democrat TD's including, Tim O Malley Limerick, Noel Grealish Galway, and Tom Parlon Laois/Offaly, and public notices in the local constituency papers.
Saturday's protest ensured that the Tainiste, who continues to ignore Ireland's pro-life ethos and her constitutional obligations, was made aware of the extent of the opposition to this proposal.
Youth Defence vow to continue to escalate our campaign as long as the Taniste continues to voice her support for this research programme.
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