Foundation of Anti War Network

national | anti-war / imperialism | event notice Friday April 29, 2005 03:39 by Anitya O' Flynn - Anti-war network peace-subscribe at gluaiseacht dot net

Foundations of new beginnings.

Venue & Date:
The 7th of May. Teachers Club, Parnell Square West, Dublin 1. From 10am to 5pm.

Arising from the EYFA/Gluaiseacht wintermeeting/antiwar meeting a fresh anti-war initiative has been founded.
Despite the continuation occupation and war, Anti-war activity in Ireland has declined steadily from the strong opposition of 2003/2004. The focus has been blurred and there is no network of activists to support each other and to keep the protests going. We feel the time has come to set up a network of activists who will pledge to take an active stand against the war machine in Ireland, i.e. direct involvement in war, weapons and components production or, as in Ireland’s case, offering the use of Shannon airport for the purposes of war and as a pit stop in the transportation of illegal detainees to be tortured at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On the 1st of April a group of us met in the wilderness of North Clare to initiate a network of action in Ireland. Our aim is to realise a culture of action in Ireland that people of all backgrounds can participate in, and overcome the bitter disputes that have ravaged the peace movement in Ireland to date. Although we respect all groups that are actively opposing war we are inviting people to join this network as individuals. The Meeting in the Teachers Club on the 7th of May is open to anybody who believes in taking non-violent direct action, symbolic action, or action in solidarity with others, working together despite age, politics or religious differences etc.
Many things will be incorporated within this action-network, not just trying to stop war, but also creating peace and protecting our survival –through local food production and a focus on the interlinked oil peak-crisis.
The network will try to support activists, resources, and will try to incorporate all people.

What’s happened so far?? Well, so far there have been discussions on what people want from the network. The main focus that was apparent was the culture of action people wish to create.


Its part aim, of participants is to carry out actions and receive support from the network. Hopefully in the process of these actions, awareness would be raised and perhaps it would even inspire others to do the same.

We are very aware that these issues affect a lot of people in the activist community and in fact prohibit many from being active so we want to form an inclusive movement. We felt that there was not enough participants to represent the activist community as a movement therefore we found it prudent not take too much from our first meeting in Clare, also I would like to point out that nothing we have discussed is set in stone, so that the opportunity to be involved from the start is still a realistic notion.

The meeting:
A facilitator will be present with a non-hierarchical consensus based approach to the meeting. However for future notice the meetings will be moving location constantly.

Principles Proposed:
1. To respect the P.G.A Hallmarks and to adopt them, if adopted, supplement them if needs be. (The P.G.A Hallmarks are still under consideration).
(link to PGA hallmarks http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/free/pga/hallm.htm )
2. Members are individual.
3. Internal mediation process - peaceful communication and conflict resolution.
4. Culture of action.


Agenda For the 7th:
1. To reach a consensus on the principles.
2. A pledge will be proposed and discussed.
3. Open space for action.


So we hope to see ye all there, enthusiastic. This is a great exiting chance for like-minded individuals to take action against war. It is time to step off the sidelines.

To participate in this process email: peace-subscribe@gluaiseacht.net
Or call Anitya at 087 6757674