Anti war activist speaks out at Dail

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Tuesday December 13, 2005 18:24

by Derek O Halloran

Cindy Sheehan,criticises use of Shannon by US military

Speaking today outside the Dail, US anti war activist Cindy Sheehan said that the use of Shannon airport by the US military made Ireland complicit in the Iraq war.

Cindy Sheehan condemned the use of Shannon by the US military today outside Dail Eireann, saying it was against the will of the people. “The Irish people are against the war and against the use of Shannon by the US military.” She said, adding that “Ireland was complicit in the war.”

The mother of Casey Sheehan a US serviceman, who died in an improvised explosive device attack five days after arriving in Iraq, she rose to prominence last summer, establishing a peace camp outside George Bush’s Texas ranch. Camp Casey became a focus for opposition to the war, galvanising the anti war movement and embarrassing President Bush.

Calling the Iraq war “illegal and immoral”, she said “humanity must stand together against the war crimes being committed in Iraq.”

Over 100,000 people rallied on the streets of Dublin in opposition to the war in February 2003. The use of Shannon airport continues to cause controversy, most recently because anti-war activists have recorded CIA flights passing through which have been used in renditions of terrorist suspects. They accuse the US of transporting suspects to countries where human rights aren’t respected for the purposes of interrogations, including torture.

The US has denied this, Condoleezza Rice speaking in advance of a recent trip to Europe said, "The United States does not transport, and has not transported, detainees from one country to another for the purpose of interrogation using torture." However she refused to give further details of the US actions saying, "We cannot discuss information that would compromise the success of intelligence, law enforcement, and military operations.”

Detainees have described a process where they were bundled onto planes to unknown destinations, by men with American accents and flown back to their countries of birth. Once there, they allege they were subjected to torture. The Guardian recently reported the case of Khaled al-Masri a Lebanonese born German national who alleges he was spirited away to Afghanistan by the CIA while visiting Macedonia. Held for five months, he claims he was tortured while in captivity.

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the CIA over his case, naming former director George Tenet as a defendant. Al-Masri’s case is one of many renditions highlighted by human rights groups.

Sheehan will address a rally tonight at Belvedere College on Denmark street in Dublin. Rose Gentle the mother of a British soldier killed in Iraq will also speak, along with Richard Boyd Barrett of the Irish Anti War Movement.

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Comments (3 of 3)

Conference with Cindy Sheehan & Rose Gentle last night - Where are the 150,000 people gone?

by Michael R.

Wed Dec 14, 2005 14:57

Excellent report and thanks for that Derek.

The Irish Times have a front cover photo of her son Casey on today's Irish Times and an article inside.

I was at the conference last night with Cindy Sheehan, Rose Gentle and others. About 170 people were there where as the hall can fit 550. I was very disappointed to see that there were not more people there. As individuals with full time jobs etc. there is little we can do to affect this horrific war. But people like Cindy Sheehan and Rose Gentle have had a huge affect on swaying public opinion in the countries that matter. Support for continued occupation now only stands at 34% with strong support for the war only at 20%. She has probably done more damage to George Bush et. al. than any other single person on the planet.

So it was vitally important last night that the Irish people showed them our support and solidarity. Where are the 150,000 people of the biggest march in Irish history gone?

The postering ban of course is really hampering promotional efforts. I believe that Cindy may have also let slip in error on the Pat Kenny radio show that the meeting was booked out. But more volunteers are needed on the ground to promote events such as this and to be involved in other anti-war activities.

Despite this - the meeting was fantastic. Rose, and Cindy is particular, are magnificent speakers and people. Cindy has a tremendous affect on you and one can easily see how she has touched the hearts of the American people. She is a gentle, extremely calm and loving woman. She signed copies of her book after the conference at which I got a chance to meet with her and thank her personally.

Despite the non-max turnout, I know she, Rose and the other speakers were touched by the support and warmth they received from the audience.

A big well done to the IAWM for organizing and bringing them over. They should be bringing other speakers over as well. Our support to these speakers and galvanizing large turnouts is vital.

A huge protest is being organized for around the globe on Sat, March 18th. Hopefully it will be reminiscent of the unprecedented worldwide protest of Feb 15th 2003. As many people as possible are needed to get active in promoting the Irish protest in order to make it a success. We owe this to the dying, the dead and those who will die.

I will try and post in an article of last night's conference later on.

charge?

by rumour

Wed Dec 14, 2005 15:26

Did I hear right that the SWP/IAWM were chargin €10 in?

Dublin Antiwar Allience?? New Front in the offin?

by Trotwatch

Wed Dec 14, 2005 22:25

Note they were takin sign up sheets for Dublin Antiwar Allience

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Anti war activist speaks out at Dail

Comments (3 of 3)