ANTI WAR CONFERENCE CALLS NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION

by Andrew Thu Sep 05, 2002 11:46

I followed the link to the Irish Anti War Movements web site where I noticed they have used (most) of my report on the last Shannon demonstration (without crediting it) under 'Report on Shannon airport Protest, Sat 17th Aug' at http://irishantiwar.org/news/item.tcl?news_item_id=100048

Most of the report, for some reasons two lines have been cut out.
In the second last paragraph their version reads "Overall this was another successful Shannon protest. With war in Iraq looming to should be possible to organise major protests at Shannon that could shut the airport for a period of time"

But my report had between these two sentences two other sentences which have been edited out. These read; "But it continues to be the case that most of the left and anti-war movement seems to prefer marching around Dublin then taking the bother to travel to and take action at the site where the Irish state is directly aiding the US war effort. This needs to change."

I don't mind them lifting the report at all, in particular in the context of at least talking about doing a demo at Shannon. But the editing of the report to remove what they must have read as a criticism of the IAWM is odd, to say the least! Anyway my original report with photos is at http://struggle.ws/wsm/news/2002/shannonAUG.html

by Pissed off Thu Sep 05, 2002 12:36

I'm not surprised, we all know who is behind this new front...

by Ois Thu Sep 05, 2002 19:28

I am curious as to why I, a member of the IAWM, wasn't informed about this conference.

What is the Cork Alliance Against the War? I am aware of The Cork Peace Alliance (and the good work that they do) but I have never even heard of the CAAW.

I am curious as to how exactly the IAWM is organised.

Is it an association of groups combined with unaligned members? If it is then why is it that the SP, the WP, the WSM, the AFI, Gluaiseacht, the ASF etc. do not seem to be present at IAWM meetings? Is it that these groups have chosen not to join or align themselves with the IAWM? Or is it that they haven't been invited to join?

Or is it an independent group made up purely by its members? If this is the case how was the steering commitee elected, and why wasn't it the members that elected it?

I also think that a march in Dublin before the US act is pointless and a demo at Shannon would be an infinitly more productive action.

You say that "the IAWM is now a national movement." Does this mean that it once wasn't? If so what has changed?

Finally isn't it curious that IAWM reamerging
co-incides with the SWP launching a series of 'Socialist Forums' on Iraq.

Ois.

by Not in our name Thu Sep 05, 2002 20:45

Who has appinted Mr Allen and Ms de Burca as spokespersons of the Irish anti-war movement?

by pat c Fri Sep 06, 2002 10:12

i have defended the swp on several occasions on indymedia, but the above shows just why activists are reluctant to get involved in a no to nice campaign with the swp.

by bored Sat Sep 07, 2002 16:27

"Finally isn't it curious that IAWM reamerging
co-incides with the SWP launching a series of 'Socialist Forums' on Iraq."

or could be that bush is set on war with iraq -- idiot

by rose Sat Sep 07, 2002 19:37

...and the swp would do use any excuse to recruit a few idealistic youngsters