Report of Dublin Anti-War Open Meeting held on 10 June

dublin | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Sunday June 11, 2006 12:58

by Fintan Lane - Anti-War Ireland

A personal report

The fourth plenary meeting/gathering of anti-war activists took place in the Teachers' Club, Parnell Square, Dublin between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on Saturday, 10 June. The meeting was facilitated by Deirdre Clancy of the Pitstop Ploughshares and Anti-War Ireland.

What follows is my personal report and reflections. The minutes should be posted soon. I'm fairly sure that I'll forget things, so, please, do add additional information if you were at the meeting.

The attendence was quite good with representatives present from a range of groups, as well as individual 'unaligned' activists. Those in the room included members of the Unmanageables, the Belfast Peace and Justice Group, Irish Anti-War Movement, PANA, Anti-War Ireland, Cosantoiri Siochana, Pitstop Ploughshares (including Ciaron O'Reilly, just back from 6 months 'rest'), Peace People, Irish Socialist Network (Dublin and Belfast), Green Party, Dublin Catholic Worker Group and others that I can't recall off the top of my head. Among the absentees were the anarchists (WSM and Grassroots Dissent) and the Trotskyist groups such as the SWP and the Socialist Party; this is regrettable because both the anarchists and Trotskyists represent significant strands within the active anti-war movement and their voices should be present. That said, it could equally be pointed out that Sinn Fein, the Labour Party, etc. etc. were not in attendence, but their engagement with the anti-war movement has been less consistent over the past few years. Anyway, these are simply my own personal observations...so, moving on.

The meeting was essentially divided into two sessions:

1. Reports from groups and activists on ongoing activities.
2. Proposals and discussion.

1. REPORTS
Reports were made by the Unmanageables, Anti-War Ireland, the IAWM, PANA, the Strategy Subgroup, the Media/Communications Subgroup and the Pitstop Ploughshares about recent and ongoing activities. Among the matters discussed or reported on were the upcoming Pitstop Ploughshares trial (beginning in early July), the Afghan hunger strike, IAWM public meetings, the Unmanageables' various actions, and so on. One thing that became clear as the reports were being heard is that there is a great deal of anti-war work ongoing which may not be obvious to everybody in the movement and beyond.

2. PROPOSALS AND DISCUSSION
A number of proposals arose from discussion of the earlier reports. The minutes, when posted, should detail these, but the following are those that stuck in my mind, and they're not listed in the order in which they occurred:

a) It was agreed to name the open meetings/gatherings/alliance as the 'Anti-War Network'. This name may be revisited at a future stage, but the current intention is simply to put a working name on the project.

b) A working group was established to do support work for the Pitstop Ploughshares during their forthcoming trial.

c) Future meetings will include discussions of the strategic positions of the various constituent groups, as a way of increasing understanding between activists.

d) An email list is to be created that will consist only of those who have attended the meetings. This will be used to keep participants up to date on forthcoming meetings etc. Constituent groups, of course, will also use their own mailing lists to keep people informed. Subgroups will set up their own email discussion lists, which will be for issues particular to that subgroup.

e) Subgroups are for internal clarification purposes only and cannot organise public events without referring back to a plenary meeting of the Anti-War Network.

f) Michael Youlton of the IAWM will facilitate the next meeting of the Anti-War Network (to be held at the beginning of July). This was suggested because the previous four meetings have been facilitated by Cosantori Siochana and the Pitstop Ploughshares/Anti-War Ireland, and, in short, it was felt that it was the IAWM's turn.

Overall, the exchanges were positive, constructive and very useful. The purpose of the project is to unify the anti-war movement and to develop greater coordination and cooperation. I think we are continuing to make good progress.

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Comments (15 of 15)

Facillitation

by Zorba

Sun Jun 11, 2006 17:47

A bad choice. MichaelY willnot exactly attract a lot of people to the next meeting. There is a lot of distrust of the IAWM and having the IAWM control the running of the next meeting does not inspire confidence.

Good progress

by Cormac - -

Sun Jun 11, 2006 18:13

Overall, the exchanges were positive, constructive and very useful. The purpose of the project is to unify the anti-war movement and to develop greater coordination and cooperation. I think we are continuing to make good progress.

Well done Fintan. I fully agree. Let us look forward to the fifth Plenary....and hope that there will be plenty of anti-war activity in the meantime. One question: This Iran debate - looks promising - is this a Network initiative?

Zorba

by Fintan Lane - Anti-War Ireland (and Irish Socialist Network)

Sun Jun 11, 2006 19:33

We can't very well call for unity among anti-war activists and then treat the IAWM as the enemy! That doesn't make sense.

The IAWM participates in the Anti-War Network on an EQUAL basis as one element in a heterogeneous movement, not as some sort of centre or leadership (if that is indeed what is worrying Zorba). But please, please remember that the AWN is about promoting respect for diversity within the anti-war movement and that cuts both ways; it's no good insisting that the IAWM, for example, respect the many other strands of the movement if you won't behave likewise towards them.

Anyway...it was a good meeting on Saturday and I reckon the one facilitated by Michael Youlton will be equally constructive and positive.

next meeting?

by anon

Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:04

What date is the next meeting?

Democracy and how it works

by Deirdre Clancy - Pitstop Ploughshares

Mon Jun 12, 2006 13:21

These meetings are an attempt to set up a network to build trust and co-operation among the different anti-war groups that have historically had differences. I don't deny that many have had reservations about the IAWM and its modus operandi. Some of those reservations have had foundation, in my opinion, and I'm not the least bit naive about what went on in the IAWM at one stage in terms of conscious detachment from, and caricaturing/ridiculing of, people outside the organisation who were involved in anti-war activity, be it Limerick-based activists, Shannon defendants, or anybody else. It did go on with some individuals, and perhaps still does, and frankly I couldn't give a toss about those individuals.

But I also think the anti-IAWM rhetoric has been rather hysterical at times, bordering on irrational 'trots under the bed' stuff, which is every bit as bad as the ridiculing mentioned above. I have every confidence that Michael Yulton is someone who is genuinely interested in the anti-war network and is a positive addition to the IAWM streering committee. This is not a case of the IAWM coming in and trying to take over something that's been set up by others. Michael did not nominate himself as facilitator, and was actually very reluctant to take on the role. I was one of the people to nominate him, as the facilitation should be rotated between the different groups, rather than being dominated by one group (which it had been before the last meeting), and I also thought Michael would do a good job. The facilitation had been done by CS up to last Saturday's meeting, a state of affairs that couldn't go on in an alliance-building network.

I will admit that it would take a lot for me to feel utter trust that the IAWM (as a totality) is really interested in working with or supporting other groups after the history of the last few years. But that's what these meetings are about - clarifying what the possibilities are.

And I have to say, at least the IAWM are engaging with the process. Some groups have just bowed out, or never participated at all, including - dare I say it - various anarchist groups.

replies for a, c and z

by val - iawm

Mon Jun 12, 2006 13:49

For anon...The next meeting is on 1 July.

For Cormac...The Iran/US nuclear debate is at 7.30 on Thursday next 15/7 and is organised by the Irish Anti-War Movement.

And for Zorba...As an active member of the IAWM I don't feel the need to defend myself, Michael and the Movement. Our activities speak for themselves. I don't know who you are or what you do but I am much too busy at the moment supporting the Afghan asylum seekers and raising awareness of the Iranian crisis (debate on Thurs) etc. Why don't you get after the people who do nothing and lay off people like myself?
Could you please stop nagging and get on with the job at hand.
v

Anti war movement

by Emma-WSM per cap

Mon Jun 12, 2006 13:53

"And I have to say, at least the IAWM are engaging with the process. Some groups have just bowed out, or never participated at all, including - dare I say it - various anarchist groups."

I am not going to start slagging off the IAWM or otherwise it would achieve nothing but as regards of participation of various anarchist groups I can only speak in a personal capacity as a member of the WSM and we have over the years been involved heavly in anti war activity including supporting the pitstop ploughshares and I think people got very disillusioned regarding the anti war movement as a whole.

There was an anti war demo in Baldonnel in April and four were arrested and on thursday there was a benifit for legal fees and I did not see many of the faces from IAWM or otherwise there to support who were arrested. I would like to be more involved in anti war activity but do not have the time as RAR takes up a vast amount and there are other immediate campaigns that people are involved in too.

This not turning up at demos, benifits, meetings etc goes on on both sides and maybe at the next meeting this will be addressed if it has not been already.

We did get an invitation to participate and I am sure other members of WSM or the libertarian movement will at some stage

Response to Emma

by Deirdre - Pitstop Ploughshares

Mon Jun 12, 2006 14:39

Emma, I am realistic enough to know that not everyone can attend everything. I'm also aware of the fact that anarchists have been involved in anti-war activity, including supporting defendants. You've all done good work, in RAR and elsewhere. I was merely expressing regret that no representative turned up from any of the anarchist groups last Saturday, as a presence would have been valued. One person wouldn't be too much to spare, I would have thought. My posting was not meant as a personal criticism of you or any other individual. I respect the fact that everyone has different priorities and emphases, despite the fact that we're all more or less trying our best to fight for similar things (justice and human rights). Building that mutual respect is what we're trying to do at these meetings, albeit clumsily at times. And part of that is acknowledging that not everybody can turn up at every event/protest/meeting.

I don't think this respect always comes easily. And although I agree with Val that we all need to get on with the job, I think it is also a useful exercise to build it, which can sometimes involve having inter-group discussions we'd rather not have or find tedious. It's all part of the process of breaking down the stereotyping that goes on. The network may work and be productive, or it may not. But I know that for me, it has helped me somewhat to understand where other groups are coming from and why they think the way they do.

good to see this happening

by anonymous

Mon Jun 12, 2006 16:57

Good to see these meetings happening. Now here's my divisive two bob ! (don't mean to be divisive really - just two points towards greater understanding !!)

Val: yeah the IAWM does get a lot of negative commentary. A lot of it is just a distraction but you should be asking yerselves why there's such hostility. Like all relationships, until you admit you're a part of the problem (too), things will just go on as before. The IAWM has pissed off a lotta people in the past with its behaviour and it's got to look into this so it doesn't happen again. That isn't to say that a good bit of the flak ye get isn't thoughtless - some people obviously see the IAWM as a punchbag at this stage. Again, though, why an how has this developed?

Emma: Good points but if you don't go to the meetings how are you going to encourage people to support your fundraising events and actions? Not everyone rushes everyday to check the listings on indymedia. Lotta word of mouth needed I always find. But apart from that you have to have some involvement with a gathering like this. Communication is needed at the very least, don't you think?

enough to do

Mon Jun 12, 2006 17:08

I am disappointed to see so much antagonism. Is it necessary to accuse people of things they DON"T do rather than encourage them in the things they DO do!
Does IAWM bashing give you all so much pleasure?... Please go ahead if it helps you to get some frustrations out of your system... I think we can take it...but I don't understand this kind of negative approach.
Why not focus together on the real offender whatever your individual differences may be?

Sorry to disillusion you but, like war, there is no winning or losing here in this game of words. Only entrenched frustration.
Leave each other alone please; stop stirring up and throwing out old grievences.
We are supposed to be on the same side here!
And I for one have enough to do with the enormous problems out there...
Let it go.

V

Old tune

by .

Mon Jun 12, 2006 17:24

Val,

Everybody could beat that drum, but it's every so slightly insulting towards genuine people with genuine criticisms, not to mention a complete avoidance of your own culpability. If people accepted your rationale, the widely varying antagonism towards the IAWM is coming from irrational people with no basis for their beliefs. You are under attack from everybody (shades of serious paranoia here) when all you want is for people to get on with each other. The sort version: you good and sweet; everybody else bad, annoying and childish. The various splits in the IAWM and the conflicts with other antiwar groups, that's all - just everybody else's fault!

And by the way, for the record, I am not some IAWM basher.

Old cracked record

by Blank Watch - none

Mon Jun 12, 2006 22:19

Blank, like many another dissing iawm and claiming "everybody" thinks the same, you unaccountably forget to identify yourself or indicate what, if any, contribution you are making to anti war activity.
You are surely not so stupid as to imagine that someone like you, who hides behind no-name to tell us what "everyone" thinks, can be taken seriously. Likewise your claim that you are not a iawm basher.

Pit Stop Ploughshares Report to Meeting

by Ciaron - Pit Stop Ploughshares (personal capacity)

Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:01

ploughsharesireland at yahoo dot ie

At Large!

087 918 4552

!) WHERE WE'RE AT?

The war is still on! The war escalates and expands as the civilian peace movement shrinks.
A lot more tension/opposition coming out of the military & military families than any civilian anti-war movement presently.

The Pit Stop Ploughshares are still charged with "$US 2 1/2 million criminal damage without lawful excuse" to a U.S. Navy war plane & "€200 for the hangar window"
Pit Stop Ploughshares are set for a third trial at Dublin's Fou7r Courts kicking off Wed. July 5th.
There seems to be a general anti-war fatigue and I guess there maybe a fatigue around us (3 1/2 years in!)....but we could do with pro-active solidarity over the next month, starting now.

We ask people to seriously consider prioritsing solidarity with the Pit Stop Ploughshares for the next month.

OUR FIRST TRIAL in March '05 was a pretty huge event. 80 anti-war folks came from outside of Ireland to show their solidarity.
There were approx 30 from the U.S. catholic Worker movement who had a lot of experience with organising around Ploughshares trials.
There were 8 plowshare activists who had disarmed weapons, had been through trials and imprisonment.
A lot of the solidarity funds generated came from the mOvement inthe U.S.

OUR SECOND TRIAL in October '05 was a more local affair, with about 12 internationals comig to Dublin.
Approx 20 of the internationals who attended our first trial were in jail or before the courts themselves for anti-war resistance by the time our 2nd trial rolled around!
Some great solidarity from Food Not Bombs helped with feeding folks at the end of each trial day. Evening events at both trials were high quality and well attended.

OUR THIRD TRIAL is roughly 3 weeks away.
We are logistically weaker - the closure of the Catholic Worker house in Rialto, the folding of weekly anti-war vigils & leafletting (we kept up for 3 years), the lack of regular gigs.
A lot of this had to do with 4 defendants leaving Ireland for this period. We are defnitely financially weaker, with only half the funds we went into the first two trails with presently available.
Biggest expenses are bringing witnesses from the U.S., printing & feeding folks who come to support.

2) COURT UNDERSTANDING FOR SHOWING SOLIDARITY WITH THE DEFENDANTS.

Under legal advice, the defendants will supply all visuals for procession to the court and vigils outside the court.
If folks are not happy with this they are most welcome to go to another relevant site eg. Aviation Authority, Dail with the own visuals to express solidarity & opposition to continued Irish involvement in the war.

As with the last 2 trials we will be bringing a trusted & experienced organiser from New York City to facilitate solidarity with the defendants. This is to take pressure off the defendants during a pretty stressful time.

3)COURT ROUTINE
We will gather in anti-war vigil from 8.30 am at The Spire in O'Connel St. each morning of the trial.
Around 9.15 am (dependng when the trial is slated to start that particular day) we will process in silence in single file carryying the names of the dead (Iraqi & U.S.) in memory of the dead to the Four Courts.
We will have a circle at the Four Courts, some relfections and folks will be briefed with the logistics for the day.
We hope to sustain a vigil with the Buddhist monksoutside the Four Courts while the trial is in process...a roster will be created each morning.
We hope to find a church or other facility where people can gather for coffee, foodd & reflection at the end of each day.

4) HOW CAN YOU HELP
FINANCES - direct donations, organise a punk or trad gig, pub quiz before or during the trial.
PROMOTIONS- Help us promote the evening events during the trial, help promote the trial itself
ACCOMODATION - Offerto put up an international peace activist attending the trial. Email which nights you can offer, floor space or bed
EMBASSY VIGILS - July 5th - there will be solidairty vigils at Irish Embassies & Consuls in London, New York City, Washington DC, Brisbane, Melbourne, Warsaw.....if you know anyone presntly oversaes who may condsider doing an anti-war vigil at an Irish Embassy on July 5th. Put the m in contcat with us.
STAY TUNED for annnouncement of pre-trial music gig and evenings on women and the peace movement.

will be there

by GG

Tue Jun 13, 2006 22:02

People are probably feeling a bit fatigued alright Ciaran but we'll still be there to support you. Anybody coming from abroad?

Response to Deirdre and Anon

Fri Jun 16, 2006 18:06

Deirdre

I did not regard your comment as a criticism of me or anyone else I was in fact for the record stating anarchist participation in past anti war activity just to be clear.
Just to state as I am aware you probably know wsm is just one anarchist organisation and we do not represent the libertarian movement and it is up to other anarchists as individuals to decide to attend or not we have no say in that.

At the first or second or both meetings? members of wsm and ay did attend but I recall it was our national conference and members did take time out to go.

There are alot of things going on and people are away hopefully people turn up and discuss and address problems that have come up before and now but I personally cannot commit to anything.

Anon I was not suggesting people do not turn up for meetings just that there as everyone is aware a divide and a lack of support on both sides. I know everyone cannot look and indymedia listings and I am aware of how to get publicity and support for fundraisers etc I do not see the point of that comment apart from being patronising. I agree communication is needed among groups and maybe this network will start some interaction but again it is up to individuals to attend not one group.

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Report of Dublin Anti-War Open Meeting held on 10 June

Comments (15 of 15)