Successful Mass Action at Shannon

by FK Sun Oct 13, 2002 21:21

I am not against this approach of occupations and other methods relating to direct action. However if such actions are going to be taken it has to be discussed before hand.

This is not only in the interests of democracy inside the movement but so that these actions are protected through stewarding and have a clear purpose and affect.

This was clearly not the case in Shannon yesterday. Also nubers are needed for this to be affective. Contrary to what some argued ''spontaneous'' action can simply lead to chaos and the threat of police attacks on demonstrations and protests. Any action of this sort has to be disciplined and carefully planned.

Those unwilling to comply with the stewards should not be allowed to any future similar demo.

by Intransigent Sun Oct 13, 2002 22:15

I think that the action taken at Shannon should definitely have been discussed. However I don't think that we can actually stop anyone from attending a protest. We should be encouraging cooperation inside the movement and not isolating certain individuals who have the right to hold different ideas.

by Tim Hourigan Sun Oct 13, 2002 22:23

I didn't trespass myself, I'm glad that those who did go over didn't go onto the taxi way.
They stopped about 100ft short of the tarmac and therefore cannot be accused of endangering aircraft. (Which I would condemn strongly)
Without endangering anyone 200 people entered the airfield, sat on the grass and made very clear their strong opposition to the use of Shannon as part of the war on the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.

It should be pointed out however that a case can be made for provocation. At every demo I have been at a military flight has taken plane while we were demonstrating. (USAF hercules landed just before August demo, US Navy C-20 during May demo, World MD-11 during others)
I think we can include yesterday in that for two flights.

As people were walking by the fence, a 747 cargo plane operated by Atlas Air was taking off.
Atlas Air is operating charter flights for the US military. They got a $36 million contract from the US Air Mobility Command. This is known to quite a few of the people protesting, and many of those who trespassed.

After the Atlas 747 took off an UNMARKED and UNSCHEDULED 747 passenger jet landed and taxied to the terminal. I didn't make it back up to the terminal to try sneak a look at the passengers, but I got the reg and will be checking out who owns it. But I have a sneaky feeling already what was on it :)

The following is from Reed Air Transport Intelligence (you can't readily access so there's no link - if you have a friend in the aviation business then ask them to check rati.com for you)

Read this and note how many of these aircraft you see at Shannon.

================================================
ATA, World, Evergreen & Atlas tapped for military charters
Brendan Sobie, Washington DC (11Sep02, 18:04 GMT, 397 words)
Over 20 US carriers will operate charter cargo and passenger flights for the US military in fiscal 2003, as part of contracts awarded last week by the US Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC).
AMC awarded $685 million in contracts to three teams with a combined 20 carrier members. A fourth contract, valued at $5 million, was awarded to Arrow Air.
An AMC spokesman says a $328 million contract was awarded to a team of seven carriers: Atlas Air, American Trans Air (ATA), FedEx Express, Gemini Air Cargo, Northwest Airlines, Omni Air International and Polar Air Cargo.
ATA stands to get 62% of the work, which equates to $203 million. Atlas and Polar stand to receive $36 million each. Gemini will get $13 million and Omni will get $10 million. AMC says another $29 million will be distributed “team-wide”, including to FedEx and Northwest.
The $339 million contract awarded to a team led by North American Airlines includes ten other carriers: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, DHL Airways, Evergreen International Airlines, Southern Air, United Airlines, United Parcel Service Airlines, US Airways and World Airways.
World has a 44% share in this team, equating to $149 million. North American and Evergreen stands to receive $75 million each. Continental has a 3% share, worth $10 million. Another $30 million will be spread across the team, including the six carriers without any specific shares.
A third contract worth $18 million was awarded to a team consisting of Miami Air and Alaska Airlines. Miami Air stands to receive all but $1 million of this contract, with the remainder going to Alaska.
The spokesman says AMC still plans to award additional charter flying contracts for fiscal 2003, which begins on 1 October. All the participating carriers are part of AMC’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF). Besides operating pre-established charters, members also are sometimes asked to operate flights on short notice during times of military build-up. During war, the carriers are also must dedicate their aircraft entirely to military missions if required.
All the carriers participating in the military charter program have done so in the past except Atlas. Polar, another subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, has historically been a large player in the program. But Atlas, looking for new source of revenues to offset declining demand for its wet lease operation, decided to join the FedEx-led team this year.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

World wins up to $175m worth of military charters
Brendan Sobie, Washington DC (20Sep01, 21:36 GMT, 136 words)
World Airways is counting on at least $115 million in revenues from its largest customer, the US military, over the next 12 months.
The wet lease carrier will operate passenger charter flights for the military valued at $112 million between 1 October 2001 and 30 September 2002. World says its new military contract also includes cargo flights worth $3 million and has an expansion clause worth $60 million.
It appears this expansion flying will likely be exercised given the current military build-up in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks. The military could also activate some of its civil reserve air fleet, which includes freighters from several US cargo carriers.
Last year World counted $127 million in military revenues and the Atlanta-based carrier typically relies on the US Air Mobility Command for roughly half its revenues.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

by Oisin Sun Oct 13, 2002 22:48

concerning the point of whether or not the action was democratic- surely people voted with their feet? the fact that before the garda síochána moved in the majority of those attending the protest had crossed the fence line was surely an endorsement of this action. it was only when the garda began to break up the crowd that there was a situation of more people on the legal side of the fence than protesting on the grass. i'm not trying to ram this point down anyones throat as i can only speak from where i was standing (or sitting, with regards to the area inside the fence) and would gladly be open to correction from anyone else who was there as to how they saw it. from a personal perspective, i would admit that beforehand i was apprehensive or nervous about any direct action and therefore would only have crossed the line as part of a mass action and this is how i assessed the situation as it unfurled. perhaps i called it wrong in the excitement of it all, and like i say i'm open to comment from anyone else present who saw it otherwise, but i was taking part, in my view, in what was clearly the determination of the majority there.

by GreenPartyMike - Green Party Mon Oct 14, 2002 03:09 ollamhfaery at earthlink dot net

Good Job Folks,
This American says THANK YOU. Our own Representatives and Senators are not listening to the approx 66% of American people opposed to the Bush Administrations unilateral war moves. never mind those of us that are opposed to ther immoral war moves itself. So now we need to start putting pressure on to have the UN put sanctions of the UNITED STATES Government. For our sake and for all of humanities we need to put these mad men in check.
Just Another Yank,
Mike

by conor - WSM Mon Oct 14, 2002 09:31 conor at krossphader dot com

"I tell you: one must still have the chaos in one, to give birth to a dancing star"
Nietzsche (Thus Spake Zarathustra)

by chris Mon Oct 14, 2002 09:33

"the fact that before the garda síochána moved in the majority of those attending the protest had crossed the fence line was surely an endorsement of this action."

The majority? Bullshit. There was never a majority over people over the fence line. The majority was standing out by the road, wondering what the fuck was going on.

You know, we're all always saying how the mainstream media is full of shit. It doesn't help anyone to present our own fabrications. I was there, I walked over to the group that was sitting in the grass and singing. And standing in the middle of that group, and looking back at the fence - there was no comparison between the numbers. There were way more people who did not cross.

chris

by kahootz Mon Oct 14, 2002 10:55

Does anyone know what happened with the police dogs during the sit down when they started to arrest. Were they fighting with with each other? I have film of someone on the ground with a dog on top of him. Then the Garda (have number) pulled the dog off him. The dog then jumped up on its own handler. Will put up as realvideo if anyone can digitise mini dv footage...

by Andrew Mon Oct 14, 2002 12:00

There will be a more detailed report online in a while. Just on the issue of decision making I agree it would have been much better to have a discussion on this at the start. This is what many of us believed had been arranged in advance BUT when we tried to start a meeting the stewards started the march (this is on video BTW). Not sure how much of the specifics we want to air in public but the point is those who initated the direct action not only wanted to have a discussion of all present in advance of the action but actually tried to initate it!

by amanda - imc irl Mon Oct 14, 2002 12:10

From what I cold see the two dogs there attacked each other. They started barking and snarling like crazy, some of the demonstrators sitting and lying on the ground became really nervous until it became obvious the dogs were fighting each other. Then their handlers and a number of other Gardai tried to seperate them and the dogs jumped on them.
As for the numbers inside the fence, overall I'd guess between 150 - 200 people got inside the fence. Some didn't go more than a few feet and after around 20 minutes about two thirds were ordered, pushed, shoved or carried outside the fence. At that point the numbers inside the fence were significantly lower than outside but initially about 35-40% of people crossed the fence. And some of those outside the fence did attempt a sit in accross the roadway as a form of direct action to support those inside the fence.

by Nicholas McMurry - Green Party / Cork Peace Alliance / Quakers Mon Oct 14, 2002 12:22

I am a member of the above organisations, but not speaking on behalf of them.

Concerning the dogs of war, one of the Cork Peace Alliance members who was arrested made friends with a police dog that was "set on him". It seemed that the dog liked being treated with respect. Frustrated, the gardai pulled the dog off. Maybe that was the incident seen by kahootz.

There was a meeting called at the beginning of the demo over a loudspeaker, and it was called by a local activist who did not take part in the later direct action. Ten seconds after the meeting was called, the march was commenced.

In previous Shannon protests there have been meetings before marches began. These have sometimes been difficult to call, and there have at times been disagreements as to our aims and tactics. However, agreement has always been reached.

People present at a protest have a right to know what intentions others might have, including those who steward the event. Nobody was made aware that the march was going to march straight up to the doors and shout slogans a few inches from the faces of gardai. Many people, myself included, felt that this was too aggresive and opted out.

The mass tresspass later on did not seem as aggressive to me. I agree that people have a right to know what others intend, but no opportunity was allowed for that. Those who pulled down the fence did not expect it to collapse so quickly and originally ad no intention of crossing it. The first person across the fence was not involved in pulling it down. It was quite spontaneous.

by Nicholas McMurry - again Mon Oct 14, 2002 12:27

With regard to amanda, I was not aware of anybody being pushed or carried over the fence. The vast majority, at the very least, came voluntarily, having made an agreement with the gardai that all those arrested were to be released in the afternoon (the gardai kept their promise)

Those who were arrested that I spoke to had no complaints as to their physical treatment by the gardai except that someone was pushed roughly against a police van at one point.

There was a moment of tension with the gardai near the beginning (I'm not sure who started it or how), but it was diffused reasonably quickly.

by Richard Boyd Barrett - IAWM Mon Oct 14, 2002 12:59

This trouble was started by Anarchist thugs. Their only purpose in attending the march was to forment trouble. In future our stewards will be briefed in advance and supplied with photos of likely troublemakers.

These scum will not be allowed on any of the buses nor will they be allowed to take part in any of our protests.

by Andrew Mon Oct 14, 2002 13:01

Well depspite the dogs, watercannon, horses and the order to prepare to draw battons the Gardai behavious was not quite comparable with some of the stuff seen in Dublin. However they did push a large group of people about 100m, i know because while I was trying toget a picture the group being pushed fell over and I nearly had my leg broken as three of them came down on me from an akward angle. I reckon it was the cool heads of those the cops were trying to provoke that ensure the day passed off peacefully, the first people over the fench are to be congratulated in that respect and those who had dogs turned on them

by Ray Mon Oct 14, 2002 13:03

From last Wednesday there was a bit of debate on here about the tactics to be used at the demonstration. It looked like it had been agreed that there'd be a short meeting beforehand to discuss what to do, and that the stewards wouldn't be telling anyone what to do. (see the link) I'm disappointed this didn't go ahead, though to tell the truth I'm not that surprised.

(Oh, BTW, impersonating someone else doesn't really advance an argument. Enough childishness already)

by M Mon Oct 14, 2002 13:05

Nicholas, you didn't see the guards form a big chain and link arms and push a lot of the people back out of the field? Or them pushing people back individually if they were separated from the main group? Coz I sure did. I nearly got pushed back.
It was too disorganised and people did not know what to do once we got inside. There were no American Planes present (that I saw anyway) and although I agree with the form of direct action taken, it turned into a stubborn sit down directed at the Police, not the war. As for the rediculous debate that went on inside, deciding whether to vote to stay or leave, if we should act communally or individually, voting, decididng to leave and then reconsidering acting as a group...
I had to leave at that point, it was too stupid.
I know it's difficult to reach concensus and to satisfy everyone in these situations but there must be a better way. Any suggestions?? Inter-bus communication?

by Nicholas McMurry Mon Oct 14, 2002 13:16

Ok, I probably had left the field at that point. From where I was, there was clearly threat of violence (with the watercannons etc.) but I didn't actaully see any, and by the time people arrived at the fence, they clearly were not being forced. Sorry - I probably did not see all that went on.

The only way to get decisions made in that sort of situation is to sit down as a group and talk about it. If there are disagreements, the group can split into groups who want to take different action.

Meetings simply do not work on buses. I know - I've tried.

There were two planes present that may have been involved with the American military. Atlas Air - a jet took off while people were in the field - is emplyed by the Pentagon for transport. There was also a completely white plane with no logo of any kind, and a number of them have been arriving in Shannon recently.

by Ray Mon Oct 14, 2002 15:16

- know it's difficult to reach concensus and to satisfy everyone in these situations but there must be a better way. Any suggestions??

Have a meeting at the start of the demonstration. Like people thought had been agreed.

by Conor - WSM Mon Oct 14, 2002 15:18 conor at krossphader dot com

Anarchist Thugs
>by Richard Boyd Barrett - IAWM Mon, Oct 14 2002, 11:59am

>This trouble was started by Anarchist thugs. Their only purpose in attending the march was to forment trouble. In future our stewards will be briefed in advance and supplied with photos of likely troublemakers.

>These scum will not be allowed on any of the buses nor will they be allowed to take part in any of
etc etc etc

I presume this is supposed to be a joke by some eeejit annoying enough as RBB may sometimes be this doesn't seem to be his style????????

Any how the IAWM should be thanking the anarchists in at least attempting to add a litle life to the demo and move it beyond harmless tokenism

Conor (WSM)

by Andrew Mon Oct 14, 2002 15:30

The RBB post above is obviously a fake. People should be aware that several posts are now being sent to indymedia in the names of well known activists trying to stirr up trouble as above. If whoever is doing it is not a cop then they are doing the cops work for them and should be treated accordingly if they don't get sense.

by Richard Boyd Barrett - Irish Anti War Movement Mon Oct 14, 2002 16:02 info at irishantiwar dot org 087 6329511

Just a note to confirm that the comments attributed to me about the Shannon protest were not posted by me and do not reflect my views.

Richard Boyd Barrett
Irish Anti-War Movement

by dead pig Mon Oct 14, 2002 16:24

The IAWM/SWP according to todays Irish Times negotiated the terms of the protest with the pigs.

They wouldn't even engaged it debate with those of us who came to the protest on what tactics should be employed.

Revolutionaries my arse.

by d.mite Mon Oct 14, 2002 16:57

had a look through the posts from last wednesday and as far as i can see pierpaolo and ray had agreed to hold a 'mass meeting' - does that constitute a general consensus?

by Ray Mon Oct 14, 2002 17:19

Who agreed to a mass meeting?
Pier Paolo and I talked about when the best time and place would be to have it. Andrew said the idea made sense. wormholebrothers said that at the last demo this had happened, and it was a good idea. No one argued against it.

Also in that thread, Aoife (presumably on behalf of the IAWM) said that "will do our best to ensure that the people that we bring from Dublin are not arrested, beaten up by gardaí, or run over by airplanes. That does not mean we will be telling anyone what to do" She also said they would like "to give people space to facilitate whatever different groups/individuals want to do". She also said that no speakers were organised, "what we had planned was to have an open mic"

What happened on Saturday?
A group of people try to organise a meeting at the gates.
The stewards then said that there was no time for a meeting, everyone had to leave for the terminal immediately. In other words, telling people what to do, and not giving them space to facilitate their own activity.
Everyone arrives at the terminal, and there's a bunch of speakers there. (Was there an open mike as promised?)

Its pretty hard to avoid the conclusion that we shouldn't believe a word out of the IAWM.

by Pier Paolo Mon Oct 14, 2002 17:42

I don't know about the meeting because I wasn't there at that moment--I was behind the police line--and if there had been one, as the previous time, probably people wouldn't be having an argument now. But there _was_ an open mike and that was definitely a good thing.

by kahootz Mon Oct 14, 2002 17:49

All pink bloc out there lets bring more drums, more costumes and even more love the next time. And raise pink, black and red flags b4 so we know who is who? numbers needed granted, but it might help avoid the internal splits evident after sat...

by Maubere Mon Oct 14, 2002 22:30

On the bus down from Dublin the steward said that the official IAWM plan was for us to march to the terminal and to try to get inside and if we didn't then we would stay outside the terminal and protest for a while. We were then told that if anyone wanted to do their own thing then that was fine, so it seemed to me that they weren't against people doing direct action stuff. However there wasn't enopugh debate about this because alot of the people on the bus on the way home were really surprised and annoyed about it, esp the older (50s, 60s) people. Of course if no one went over the fence then other people would have been annoyed and considered the trip to Shannon a waste. The movement has to include those who want to do direct action and those who don't. On a previous trip to Sellafield it was made clear to people on the bus before we got there that some people would be doing direct action and if other people didn't want to do it then that was fine. Next time everybody should at least know that direct action is being planned by a group at the demo and if they want to do it they can get more info from the planners. I hadn't planned to do any direct action myself on Sat but when I saw the fence down I decided to leg it across, I just thought that something more than chanting had to be done, after all what are we ment to do when the governmewnt and the Gardaí are breaking the law?

by withheld Tue Oct 15, 2002 00:52

was the snide bitching and dissimulation on both sides of this boring formulaic swimmers vs anarchos argument that takes up most of everybody's time as far as I can see. There is very little creativity and imagination coming from either side . . . ape your foreign friends is not good enuff whether pink black red green white . . . British/american cool kid attitude tactics vs authoritarian socialism is a dead end argument. I was trying to have a little think on the way down and the front of the bus was organising my life while the back of the bus managed to bitch loudly for three hours solid trying to prove how cool the hardmen down the back were.

I'd rather be cornered in a dirty scrap in the company of Patricia McKenna than with either of the groups of (dublin) masters of the universe there.

Best thing was seeing berties head explode on tv tonite with . . .liars . . . comment . . .

by Lapo Tue Oct 15, 2002 23:26 lapo.vannini at tin dot it Italy

I saw the pictures about protest, I remembered last year few people but good spirit, I could imagine this time!!!!!!

Thanks for that! We are going to have European Social Forum in Florence, anyone come here?

Greetings for all Cpa from Italy, bye bye Lapo

by Hannibal Lecter - Anti-Liberal Front Fri Jan 31, 2003 03:02 seeu at valhalla dot org 666-666-666

"Anarchist Thugs
by Richard Boyd Barrett - IAWM Mon, Oct 14 2002, 11:59am

This trouble was started by Anarchist thugs. Their only purpose in attending the march was to forment trouble. In future our stewards will be briefed in advance and supplied with photos of likely troublemakers.

These scum will not be allowed on any of the buses nor will they be allowed to take part in any of our protests."

What kind of shit is that?

Supplying Photos of troublemakers?

What are you? a cop?

Let the @s run free. They sure behave more as revolutionaries than your cop like attitude.

Fucking liberal scum, thats all you are.