Shoes, eggs hurled at Tony Blair in Dublin
Demonstraters engage with Irish police Saturday during a protest outside the Eason bookshop in Dublin, Ireland where former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was signing copies of his book "A Journey," an account of his decade in Downing Street from 1997 to 2007. (Sept. 4, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
DUBLIN - Protesters hurled shoes and eggs Saturday at former British Prime Minister Tony Blair while he held the first public signing of his memoir amid high security in Ireland's capital.
Hundreds more lined up to have their books autographed - evidence that the divisions left by Blair's decade in office have yet to heal.
Blair's new book, "A Journey," has angered opponents of his policies, especially the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Released this week, the memoir is Amazon's bestselling title in Britain, and has climbed into the top 10 on the online retailer's U.S. chart.
Blair was paid a $7 million advance for the memoir, which mounts a strong defense of his policies during his years as prime minister from 1997 to 2007. Blair says in the book that he is not sorry he decided to enter the U.S.-led war, although he has wept for its victims. He is donating all proceeds from the book to a charity for wounded troops.
About 200 demonstrators chanted that Blair had "blood on his hands" as he arrived at a Dublin bookstore Saturday.
Shoes, eggs and other projectiles were thrown toward Blair as he emerged from a car, but did not hit him. A flip-flop could be seen lying on the roof of a BMW in Blair's motorcade.
Security was tight, with book buyers - who appeared to outnumber the protesters by about 2-1 - being told to hand over bags and mobile phones before entering Eason's bookstore on O'Connell Street, Dublin's main shopping thoroughfare.
There were scuffles between police and demonstrators when some tried to force their way through the security cordon. Two protesters were bundled into the back of a security van. Several, including one wheelchair user, lay down in the van's path, and riot police were brought in to remove them.
Police said four men were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Blair spent about two hours in the store before emerging to more shouts, boos and hurled eggs. He was quickly driven away, as a police helicopter circled overhead.
"Blair took the world to war in Iraq and Afghanistan on the basis of lies," protester Donal MacFhearraigh said.
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