Show of Solidarity from Ireland with the Arctic 30

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Saturday November 16, 2013 19:25 by Shelver - RSC

Detention of Greenpeace Crew Stark Reminder of Shell/State Partnership in Broadhaven Bay

About 25 people gathered today outside the Shell refinery construction site at Ballinaboy, Co Mayo, in a show of solidarity with 30 environmental activists who are currently imprisoned in Russia. The gathering was part of a global day of action to free the "Arctic 30" as they have become known worldwide since they were captured nearly two months ago while protesting against Gazprom and Shell moving an oil rig into the Arctic.

Free the Arctic 30!

While some members of the "Arctic Sunrise" tried to occupy the oil rig, Russian security forces swooped on the action by helicopter and speedboat, holding the activists at gunpoint.

The manner of arrest and detention of the Arctic 30 is a stark reminder of the deployment of the Garda Water Unit, Irish Navy and Shell contracted private security forces against fishermen and solidarity campaigners in 2008 and 2009 to make way for pipe-laying for the Shell Corrib Gas project in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Local Mayo fisherman Pat O' Donnell was among those attending and had this to say: "I came out here to show my support for the men and women locked up in Russia, for trying to protect the environment. We've gone through much the same thing over here in Ireland over the last 10 years with Shell."

He continued: "I've had beatings, jailings, boats sunk, boats impounded, been held at gun point - you name it, and all for just trying to protect my family and my livelihood. Shell need to be held to account, in Ireland, in Nigeria before us, and now in the Arctic".

In a recent development a former subcontractor to Shell in Ireland has alleged it covertly delivered substantial volumes of alcohol as gifts to the Garda Water Unit in 2007. This was before their crucial involvement in clearing the way for Shell in Broadhaven Bay in Mayo during 2008 and 2009.

Links:

Arctic 30:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/press/releas...c-30/

Reports that the Chief's Boat was sunk:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/92657

Protest for Pat O'Donnell while in prison:
http://www.shelltosea.com/content/national-protest-pat-...nnell

Corruption allegations against the Garda Water Unit:
http://www.shelltosea.com/content/news-release-busted-s...booze

At the memorial to the Ogoni Nine

The Ogoni Nine - Hanged in Nigeria in 1995 at the behest of Shell