22 April 1999 Edition
Back issue: Recruitment office picket
Thirty Troops Out members picketed the army recruitment office on the Strand, London, on April 15. At the same time, army recruitment offices throughout England and Wales were also being picketed. The Troops Out Movement banner read: ``No Future for Britain in Ireland, No Future for You in the Army.''
Leafets given out explained ``the job'' more clearly than the romantic propaganda in the window display. Quotes from ex-soldiers revealed the real nature of the job that is expected. Brian Moran of the 42nd Commando, Royal Marines was quoted:
``We were supposed to be there to keep the peace, but I found a lot of prejudice in the Marines against ordinary Catholics. The attitude was that you went in and hit anyone in sight.''
The leaflet also gave potential recruits some facts:
That over half the 326 people killed by the British army and RUC in the North of Ireland between 1969 and 1986 were civilians. That in 1988 alone, 5,000 homes were raided and often wrecked by the army. That 16 people (including nine children) have been killed by plastic bullets and hundreds seriously injured.
Leafets given out explained ``the job'' more clearly than the romantic propaganda in the window display. Quotes from ex-soldiers revealed the real nature of the job that is expected. Brian Moran of the 42nd Commando, Royal Marines was quoted:
``We were supposed to be there to keep the peace, but I found a lot of prejudice in the Marines against ordinary Catholics. The attitude was that you went in and hit anyone in sight.''
The leaflet also gave potential recruits some facts:
That over half the 326 people killed by the British army and RUC in the North of Ireland between 1969 and 1986 were civilians. That in 1988 alone, 5,000 homes were raided and often wrecked by the army. That 16 people (including nine children) have been killed by plastic bullets and hundreds seriously injured.