Today, correspondence has been sent to every school and education facility across the Six Counties regarding the ongoing use of youth spaces by the PSNI, and their implementation of a strategy aimed at grabbing the ‘hearts and minds’ of our young people.
Over the past number of days Lasair Dhearg has sent correspondence to schools across the Six Counties in relation to the PSNI presence in classrooms and the associated risk to our young people. A total of 1,136 individual pieces of correspondence have been forwarded to education facilities across the state.
Speaking on the issue, Cathaoirleach Lasair Dhearg Pól Torbóid said, “This week, we have sent correspondence to every school across the Six Counties in relation to the PSNI.”
“As the new school year has begun, we are seeking the ongoing support of every educational establishment in keeping learning spaces neutral environments. This is in relation to PSNI personnel deliberately attending school, community and youth spaces as part of ongoing public relations exercises designed to win the hearts and minds of communities across the Six Counties. We are seeking their commitment with this in the interest of good community relations and child protection.”
“Many of these public relations stunts include the use of riot shields, jeeps, attack dogs and the showcasing of lethal, life-taking weapons, such as baton round guns, Glock pistols and automatic assault rifles. The PSNI regularly publishes images of young people holding these weapons.”
“With the PSNI believed to be holding a stockpile in excess of 50,000 plastic bullets at any one time, and with the force, incorporating the RUC, being responsible for the killing of seventeen people, including seven children, as a result of the use of plastic bullets, this is not an image, we are sure, that any educational establishment would like to be attached to.”
“In total, it is estimated that the PSNIs predecessor, along with the British Army, were responsible for the deaths of 48 children through the use of arms similar to those that they are displaying today in schools. This is taking place in the very communities within which these kids were gunned down and killed.”
“Earlier this year the Children’s Commissioner expressed concern about the PSNI’s use of child informants, saying that it is ‘never appropriate for any child to be placed at risk in this manner’. It is therefore essential that we have safeguards in place to ensure that our young people are not exposed to this force and its sinister activities.”
“The PSNI have also been complicit in state collusion and cover ups, most recently in the case of young Noah Donohoe.”
“So, to all education facilities across the Six Counties, we say, before you allow our children’s education to be used as part of this PR exercise, allowing this heavily armed force onto school premises for photographs with our children, you should consider the following; the history of the local area and public opinion; the risk involved and whether or not a risk assessment has taken place that takes into consideration armed gunmen being on the premises; the relevance to the educational curriculum; conflict related trauma; the distribution and receipt of parental consent; and the ongoing use of child informants.”
“For too long now our children have been used as pawns in a political public relations exercise endorsed by the state. Let’s leave the PSNI at the school gate and allow our children an education free from the risks involved in having armed gunmen in their classrooms.”
ENDS
