Last Night's "Say No to Condoleeza Rice!" Meeting in Liverpool and Protest Press Coverge.
Have just heard from someone at last night's "Say No to Condoleeza Rice!" meeting. Apparently there were over 200 people there, which bodes well for the turnout for Friday's protest's at Condi's visit.
The national press are still talking up the threat of trouble, though where they are getting their stories from is anybodys guess. More on the superhuman scousers throwing paving slabs at Condi story this time from the Daily Record.
WORKMEN have been ordered to tidy away paving slabs ahead of a visit by Condoleezza Rice - in case protesters throw them at her.
The US secretary of state visits Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall this Friday and anti-war protesters plan to stage a demonstration.
One builder who are laying slabs outside the venue said: "We were told to clear up anything that could be used to chuck at her."
Before they print this shit, do the writers pause to consider how far the average person can throw a paving slab, and how far we are all going to be kept from the loving couple? Oh those pesky details...
The story about Masjide Al Hidayah Mosque's withdrawl of their invitation for Condi to visit is 'spinning' as the day progresses. The invite was withdrawn due to pressure from the local community this morning on the local news - but the National press has a different quote.
brahim Master, a member of the Blackburn mosque's governing committee, said Muslims opposed to the visit intended to "invade" the mosque before Ms Rice arrived.
He said concerns about safety meant the visit to the Masjide Al Hidayah mosque on Millham Street had been cancelled.
Mr Master said: "The visit wasn't cancelled because we don't like Condoleezza Rice.
Once again, people talking up the threat of trouble, without offering any evidence... Putting people off joining the protesters here in Liverpool, or Blackburn and justifying whatever police action is planned.
I guess to work out where these stories are coming from, we have to consider who benefits from them...
Looks like Channel 4 news
Looks like Channel 4 news will be covering the story about the Mosque visit being cancelled. I just got this snowmail
Condi's mosque trip cancelled
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Anyone from Blackburn out there reading this? If so, have you got any handle on where Condy Rice may or may not be going on her controversial visit there? Plenty of anti-war protesters would like to deposit her down one of the town's 4000 holes I'd imagine - but will they get anywhere near?
I mean any senior Bush administration official visiting anywhere in the UK (or Europe probably) would be the subject of protest right now, but Jack Straw's particularly proud of his patch and its large Muslim population. But was there even a planned visit to a mosque? Was it cancelled? It's all getting a bit Keystone Cops as we try to find out just where Ms Rice will be going and what protests she'll encounter.
Click for Bin Laden hides in
Click for Bin Laden hides in Liverpool