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Facebook account ‘Anti Imperialist Action Ireland’ said the crackdown in the Irish city of Dublin was in a bid to “challenge” poppy sellers who “support British Imperialism”. Social media users quickly hit back to blast the group as “shameful” ahead of Remembrance Day. As the nation prepares to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, Anti Imperialist Action Ireland wrote: “Poppy Watch Patrols - Resist British Imperialism! READ MORE: What is Remembrance Day?

“In the coming days and weeks, Irish Socialist Republicans and Anti-Imperialists in Dublin, will be organising 'Poppy Watch Patrols' to prevent the sale of the British Legion Poppy on the streets of our capital city. “Following on from the success of last year’s patrols, those selling the British Legion Poppy on our streets will be challenged and their support for British imperialism and the ongoing illegal occupation of Ireland will be highlighted.” The protest group claimed the Royal British Legion, a charity supporting serving members of the armed forces, veterans and their families, “show support for Britain’s terrorists”. It added: “The British Legion are not a benign charity. The funds raised by the British Legion are used to support serving members of Britain’s imperialist forces and the poppy shows support for Britain’s terrorists in all its wars of conquest, including the ongoing wars and secret conflicts Britain involves itself in today.

Fury has erupted after the protest group launched a poppy patrol

What a kick in the teeth for the Irish who died in British Forces helping to give you the freedom you now enjoy

“The poppy is a very political symbol which signifies support for British imperialism in Ireland. “Fundraising for British imperialism in Ireland must and will be effectively challenged!” Angry Facebook users quickly lambasted the group and reminded them members of the armed forces had sacrificed their lives for the freedoms they now enjoy. One said: “The poppy represents all the war dead. Not any one country or its actions. It represents everyone that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Including many many men and boys from the Republic of Ireland.” Another said: “Politicising a symbol such as this is utterly shameful and disrespects the memory of everyone who laid down their lives for the freedom you, I and everyone else enjoys today. This includes Irish nationalists

Facebook users blasted the group as 'shameful'

“Wise up, wake up and grow up.” One posted: “My grandad left Kilkenny to join the British army and fight the Nazis. He did more to fight fascism than you p***** ever have and I wear a poppy in honour of him.” A Facebook user added: “British and Irish soldiers fought and died in WWI, Catholic and Protestant fought side by side. "Wearing a poppy remembers all those men and boys who died so you could live same as WWII.”

The nation is preparing to mark Remembrance Day