Cork anti-war activist refuses to pay Shannon fine

cork | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Friday August 08, 2003 22:26

by Cork Anti-War Campaign

corkantiwar at hotmail dot com

PRESS RELEASE

CAWC activist faces 60 days in jail following his refusal to pay a fine imposed for Shannon anti-war protest.

Cork anti-war activist Dr Fintan Lane is refusing to pay a fine of €750 imposed by Judge Mangan at Tulla District Court on 30 April 2003.

The fine, which was due to be paid by Tuesday, 29 July, was levied following Dr Lane's conviction for trespass at Shannon airport in October 2002. At the time, the fence at the airport was pulled to the ground and more than 100 anti-war activists crossed into the airport grounds to stage a peaceful sit-down protest against the refuelling of U.S. warplanes. Ten were arrested during this mass trespass, including five activists from Cork, and those later convicted were banned from County Clare for two years and received heavy fines.

Dr Lane, who is chairperson of the Cork Anti-War Campaign, faces 60 days in jail following his refusal to pay his fine.

According to Dr Lane: "I have no interest in paying the fine. We engaged in a peaceful act of civil disobedience in order to protect human life in Iraq, and I have no sense of guilt regarding my actions. The mass trespass was a legitimate act of protest and resistance, and I have no regrets."

He continued: "Moreover, there is a wider strategic issue in terms of the anti-war movement's approach to civil disobedience. Shannon airport is an important refuelling stop for the U.S. military and ending those facilities remains a central objective for the Irish anti-war movement. But, how will this be achieved? On 21 June, the Gardai refused to allow a peaceful march enter the grounds of Shannon airport and they have repeatedly frustrated and corralled previous demonstrations."

"I believe that mass civil disobedience needs to be treated seriously as a tactic, and participants must be willing to go to jail rather than pay the fines. The reality is that unless people are willing to consider that option, every act of civil disobedience will just add to the financial burden of the anti-war movement and ultimately the movement will be forced to either end civil disobedience or spend much of its time fund-raising."

"It is clear that not everybody can opt for jail (for personal and other reasons), but if mass civil disobedience is ever to develop in this country, then those involved must move beyond simply paying the fines."

PRESS RELEASE ENDS