National demonstration at Shannon, Saturday, 21 June

by Bimbo Fri Jun 13, 2003 13:37

It's much clearer to me now, thanks to Fintan and Ciaron, that groups are working together and supporting each other. I hope the demos/actions reflect that. I still think, in the circumstances, the original posting should have mentioned the CW5, whose trial is so soon and whose prospects are more worrying than 'all people before the courts...'

by Joe Wed Jun 11, 2003 14:47

Given the large number of people banned from Clare maybe the 'Welcome to Clare' signs on the roads should include some sort of reminder for them.

Something like
'Welcome to Clare
This is a restricted military zone to which you may not be permitted entrance, you may be stopped and searched especially near Shannon Airport.'

by Ciaron O'Reilly - Pit Stop Ploughshares Wed Jun 11, 2003 14:42 pitstopploughshares at hotmail dot com 087 918 4552

Catholic Worker Plans for J21 - folks will vigil/rally from 12 noon at Shannon Airport.

Speakers will include Nuria, Andrea Needham (acquitted of a £2.5 million criminal damage charge in relation to '96 "Seeds of Hope" disarmament of a British aerospace Hawk Fighter set for export to the genocidal Indonesian regime (this plane never made it, rejected by the Inonesian military after the disarmament) & others.

Those of us banned from Clare will set up a vigil on the main Limerick to Shannon road at the Clare border also at 12 noon.

By 1.30 the peace walk will leave the Airport to connect with the Cork crew gatthering in Shannon town at 2 p.m. . Folks will speak there if there is interest and keep the peace walk moving by 2.30 p.m. at te latest.

The peace walk will hook up with the defendants and other peaceniks banned from Clare (Aer Rianta are proactively moving against those injuncted to keep them away from the airport on this day and there are other activists banned from Clare who might like to set up on the border etc.) on the border.

We will then complete the first day of the walk into Limerick (approx 6 pm) where we hope to have food and a "Celebration of Hope", music, poetry, statements from the defendants etc.

More news on celebration venue as it comes to hand.

by Fintan Lane - Cork Anti-War Campaign Wed Jun 11, 2003 14:33 corkantiwar at hotmail dot com 087 1258325

"They are separate events, but not conflicting in any way. In fact, Fintan (C.A.W.C.) and I co-ordinated on the date. My idea for S.O.S. was always to have an event that was a total departure from the traditional anti-war protest, but Fintan felt that S.O.S. would exclude the sort of protester who prefers to express him (or her) self with placards and megaphones. Our compromise was for him to declare a national demo on the same day as S.O.S. and to keep them as separate (but hopefully symbiotic) events" (Nico)

Nicola's characterisation here is largely correct. One or two things though: the Cork Anti-War Campaign called the national demo for 21 June (rather than 14 June, which was my original preference) because members of the group pointed out that it would be good to have a few events on at Shannon on the same day, and that we should co-ordinate with S.O.S. I subsequently met with Nicola and we agreed that the events would complement each other and could be held on the same day. I later spoke with Ciaron O'Reilly (Catholic Workers) and we agreed to co-ordinate also, as the Pitstop Ploughshares/Catholic Workers were planning Shannon events as well for the 21st. In fact, myself and other 'banned' Cork activists will be setting up a peace camp with Ciaron and co. on the Limerick/Clare border on the day. In other words, there will be diverse actions around Shannon on the 21st and, hopefully, this will help to re-energize the anti-refuelling campaign.

With regard to Bimbo's comments above: get real! The Cork Anti-War Campaign is fully supportive of those before the courts and will continue to be. We've been before the courts ourselves.

by Lord Haugh Haugh - SP Wed Jun 11, 2003 14:11

I hope they use water cannons on you crusties.

by David Rynne Wed Jun 11, 2003 11:18

I did not intend to undermine the march. I wanted to Indicate my will that the people who make different choices can still share a platform and an event.

by Nico - SOS Wed Jun 11, 2003 10:58 Cork

Just to clarify on the co-ordination, participants in SOS will also be meeting up with Catholic Workers and National demo types at 2pm in order to march towards Shannon together. Those of us who will be setting up sound equipment, art installations, vegan kitchen, etc. will likely stop at the site of the former peace camp and begin setting up, while the main march continues to the terminal building. the solstice party will then be up and running for all those who wish to join in after the march and speakers. hope that helps. more info to come.

RECLAIM THE SKIES!

by Nico - SOS Wed Jun 11, 2003 10:26 Cork

please check out the article "reclaiming heaven" further down the newswire for more info on SOS. here is a relevant quote:

"They are separate events, but not conflicting in any way. In fact, Fintan (C.A.W.C.) and I co-ordinated on the date. My idea for S.O.S. was always to have an event that was a total departure from the traditional anti-war protest, but Fintan felt that S.O.S. would exclude the sort of protester who prefers to express him (or her) self with placards and megaphones. Our compromise was for him to declare a national demo on the same day as S.O.S. and to keep them as separate (but hopefully symbiotic) events."

- Nico

by Bimbo Wed Jun 11, 2003 09:59

Here we have a call for a national demonstration at Shannon on the 21st, and no mention at all of the most glaringly, obviously and immediately important fact facing Irish anti-war activists: that six of our number are facing prison time for their principled actions in opposition to the war, with a trial starting down the road only three days later.
I understand some indymedia people's discomfort with Pitstop Ploughshares, which seems to be largely based on a common Irish allergy to the word 'Catholic'. Get over it. They may have been inspired or motivated by religious faith -- and having heard them speak I'd say that's a big 'may' in some cases -- but their actions are justified and supportable under an ethical code that has no need for God, a code I would have hoped would be shared hereabouts.
They are about to try to persuade a jury of ordinary Irish people of the validity of that code. Show some support, for jayzus -- no, for feck's sake.

by hunter Wed Jun 11, 2003 00:28

please enlighten me

by Anon Tue Jun 10, 2003 22:14

The Catholic Workers are holding a vigil outside Shannon airport terminal at 12pm before walking to Shannon town centre to meet up with the march at 2pm. Hope Sos is similarly co-ordinated.

by Rasta Tue Jun 10, 2003 22:07

David, if you aren't going to march then why the fuck are you telling us? Who cares what you as an individual intend doing? Are you trying to undermine the demo coz that seems the only purpose of your pointless comment.

by Padraic Tue Jun 10, 2003 21:58

I'll be in Shannon for the demonstration and I WILL march. Happily. Wish the SOS party the best of luck, but I want to march on the airport. Why can't SOS thing be timed to complement the march?

by David Rynne Tue Jun 10, 2003 21:00

However i do wish that demonstration every success. I hope that not only will there be no antagonism between the different groups, but that there will be co-operation, good will and a spirit of solidarity amongst everybody who, after all, share the same cause

by pc Tue Jun 10, 2003 20:57

went back to the last sos posting and somebody asked how the various groups were co-ordinating still wondering when the main happenings of sos will occur and will they be co-ordinated with the above o peole can do both... if they wish