GR Bulletin- the Struggle Heats up

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday April 23, 2002 19:56 by Joe Carolan - Globalise Resistance globalise_resistance at yahoo dot com The Other World Which is Possible 087 9032281

Globalise Resistance Weekly Bulletin 23 April 02

Anti War Demo this Saturday- meet GR contingent at the Ambassador, O Connell Street, 2pm. Mayday rally against Le Pen and Fascism- meet GR contingent at GPO, 6pm Wednesday May 1st. Other events, demos and upcoming meetings.

This week-
1. JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE- NO WAR IN IRAQ demo
2. MAYDAY- SMASH LE PEN AND FASCISM rally at GPO
3. GR and Latin American Solidarity
4. TRAVELLERS CIVIL RIGHTS DEMONSTRATION
5. CRITICAL MASS, RTS AND LIBERATION DAY
6. COMHLÁMH MEETING ON TRADE AND GLOBALISATION
7. The Girl Who Pied Bertie!

Things are heating up, and the next fortnight sees an unprecedented wave of activity and protest in recent months. This Saturday sees the national mobilisation by the Irish Anti War Movement, and GR will be bringing the Bush monster out to terrorise the world. Mayday has been given fresh urgency with the real danger of street battles erupting in Paris and other French cities, as anti capitalists, trade unionists and the left prepare to confront Jean Marie Le Pen's fascists who will also march for Joan of Arc Day.
GR in Dublin has called for a rally against LE Pen and his fascist National Front at 6pm at the GPO on Mayday- tell everybody! We want to destroy borders and immigration controls- we believe no human is illegal and that our unity and struggle will not be divided by the racist right. Make sure you get to both events this week- times are changing fast.

(Last days of creativity for the Bush Monster- Wednesday and Friday nights at Spacecraft Warehouse- phone Joe at 087 9032281 for details- we also need volunteers for the McArmy, Camp X Ray POWS and the Sweatslaves of Fashion- lots of costumes ready and rehearsal on Friday night)

1.
JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE- NO WAR IN IRAQ
Saturday April 27th. Assemble at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell St., Dublin 1 at 2.30 pm.
Called by the Irish Anti War Movement
http://irishantiwar.org/

Last November politicians claimed that the fall of Kabul marked the end of the war in Afghanistan and the first victory in the wider 'war on terror'.

The war in Afghanistan has been portrayed as advancing the causes of peace and democracy. The actual consequences of this brutal military campaign have in fact been the opposite:

More civilians have died in Afghanistan than lost their lives in the horrific attacks on September the 11th last year.
Western states have used the crisis to erode the civil liberties of their citizens. The USA and UK have seized the opportunity to introduce draconian legislation. In Ireland a steward and an entirely peaceful antiwar demonstration outside the American embassy was arrested and convicted under the repressive public order act.
The war in Afghanistan has exacerbated existing conflicts elsewhere. The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has explicitly invoked the rhetoric of the "war on terror" to step up attacks on the Palestinian people.

The attacks on September 11th have, predictably, been used to inflate the already obscenely bloated military budget of the US. In 2003 the American government will spend $379 billion on arming itself. That figure is about five times more than all western states spend each year on aid to the underdeveloped world.
From the beginning George W. Bush has stated that the campaign in Afghanistan would be merely the first installment in the so-called 'war on terror'. The US and its allies are now targeting Iraq. The war will be portrayed as a noble crusade to liberate the people of Iraq. Bet the US made clear that if Saddam is deposed he will simply be replaced with another despot who is willing to do their bidding. The US cares nothing for the people of Iraq - in the last decade more than one million people have lost their lives due to UN sanctions on Iraq.

Bertie Ahern has now given Bush unqualified support for the 'war on terror' and any US attacks on Iraq. We need to demonstrate that he does not speak in the name of people living in Ireland.

If you are concerned about the warmongering of Bush and Blair please come to the national anti-war demonstration on Saturday April 27th. Assemble at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell St., Dublin 1 at 2.30 pm.

TRANSPORT FROM BELFAST, DERRY, CORK, DUNDALK, DROGHEDA, WATERFORD, GALWAY etc etc
There is a bus leaving Cork this coming Saturday,
April 27th.

The bus is going to join the upcoming huge annual,
national, anti-war march in Dublin. 2,500
people attended the end the war in Palestine march a few weekends ago, and this one promises to be much bigger!

The bus departs from the library on the Grand Parade at 9.30 am and comes back that evening.
The cost is around €10 unwaged, €20 waged.

Jennifer
Cork Peace Alliance
021-4546367
[email protected]

The Derry Anti-War Coalition is running a bus to the April 27 protest in Dublin. You might want to include this in the next antiwar news. The bus leaves Derry at 10am from Foyle St bus depot, returning that night. Cost £10 (£5 concession). Phone 02871 286278 for tickets or further info. Best regards, Colm

Palestinian Irish Solidarity Movement
global campaign of Boycott Israeli Goods (BIG) including both goods and services.
Contact : Yassen at [email protected] or
Zak at 087-6527065 or at
www.BoycottIsraeliGoods.org

Related story-
CHEMICAL COUP D'ETAT

The US Wants to Depose the Diplomat Who Could Take Away Its Pretext for War With Iraq

by George Monbiot

On Sunday, the US government will launch an international coup. It has been planned for a month. It will be executed quietly, and most of us won't know what is happening until it's too late. It is seeking to overthrow 60 years
of multilateralism in favour of a global regime built on force.

Continued at
http://www.monbiot.com

2.
French Fascist vote raises the stakes for Mayday

SMASH LE PEN- No Fascism in Europe
Rally at 6pm
GPO,O Connell Street, Wednesday May 1st

"We must say no to Le Pen in the streets, every day," said Jose Bove, the prominent anti-globalisation activist, at a march of 12,000 demonstrators in the western city of Tours.

Shockwaves and mass demonstrations have swept France as people have taken to the streets in protest at the shock election success of far-right Nazi Jean-Marie Le Pen. "Mussolini: 1922. Hitler: 1933. Le Pen: never" was the cry at a rally in the eastern city of Strasbourg. He came second in the first round of the presidential vote on Sunday, beating the French Blair, Lionel Jospin, to reach the final run-off against the conservative incumbent, Jacques Chirac.

Demonstrations were reported in the northern town of Brest on Tuesday morning, after some 100,000 people staged angry rallies across the country on Monday. Police in Paris fired tear gas at anti racist protesters overnight.

Thousands of people spontaneously took to the streets to demonstrate against Le Pen, many of them regretting their decision not to vote. 30,000 protested in Paris on Sunday night and were joined by thousands more in towns across France.

They are horrified that the man who called the Holocaust "a detail of history" has gained such respectability. Banners denounced Mr Le Pen, who earned notoriety for his remarks on the Nazi Holocaust of the Jews and his opposition to immigration. Le Pen is a street-fighting Nazi with decades of fascist activity (and a few convictions) behind him.

Le Pen's vote has not increased massively from the 1995 presidential elections (the increase is estimated at 200,000): his percentage of the vote has increased with the collapse in support for the existing ruling parties and a 7% decrease in voter participation.

Chirac won with only 19.88% of the vote, Le Pen came second with 16.86%, and Jospin lost with 16.18% (others took 47.08%).

Le Pen's Front Nationale concentrated on the issue of "insecurity" in France today. He posed as a viable alternative to the parties whom many feel have deserted them. This was boosted by millions being so disillusioned that they did not vote.

In response, the French student federation has called for a coordinated country-wide protest ahead of a major television interview with the Front National (FN) leader scheduled for Tuesday evening. There will be an all out trade union mobilisation supported by the radical left on MAYDAY, to counter Le Pen's fascists who will march on thir Joan of Arc Rally. The scene is set for the Battle of Paris on International Workers Day.

Here in Ireland, Globalise Resistance is calling for a rally against Le Pen and the rise of fascism before the Union March for Mayday in Dublin. we believe in a world of no borders, no immigration controls and no racism. The anti capitalist contingent will also be vocally anti fascist on this year's Mayday march, as the eyes of Europe look towards France. Please spread the word and mobilise as many people and groups as possible to join us.

Cecile, French activist with Globalise Resistance, writes-

I didn't have much free time last night or today, so I thought it would be a good idea to take
some of the slogans that people shout during the demonstrations in France, such as "si Le Pen
passe, les libertes trepassent" which means "if Le Pen is elected, it's the end of freedom". I
think it would be a very good catch phrase. I was also thinking about something like "Tous
ensemble contre le fascisme, soyons motives"
( all together against fascism, let's be motivated!).
Let me know what you think, sorry, I don't have much time, I really don't have much freedom at my
workplace!

More info at
http://www.anl.org.uk

3. GR and Latin American Solidarity

The Globalise Resistance Forum with Dan Baron, an artist activist with the Brasilian MST, was very moving and thought provoking. Dan used slides to illustrate the poverty and humanity of the landless workers, who escape the favelas of Brasil's shanty towns and violent, poverty stricken cities, to occupy and establish communes on the unused land of the rich landlords.

The courage of the MST was illustrated by the many sites of massacre Dan has helped to mark, with the use of murals, monuments and paintings. Hundreds of MST comrades were murdered by the Brasilian rancher mercanaries, but no one has ever been brought to justice. Dan, who worked in the Bogside for six years with the Frontline Arts group, showed how Bloody Sunday was happening time and time again to the rebels of South America, but also how they are being re inspired and encouraged by the events of Chiapas, Genoa and Buenos Aires.

Globalise Resistance has made links with the MST, and we hope to bring them back for a national tour of Ireland sometime in the next nine months.
Dan took dozens of "Our World is not for Sale" badges back for the kids in his commune's school, as well as a video of Bloody Sunday and Genova Libra for MST Public Screenings.

However, the crisis in Latin America is continuing-

NICK JONES has just returned from Ecuador where he was illegally detained with 18 others for a
week after visiting a protest camp in the Mindo rainforest. He will speak about the imminent
environmental disaster which will result if the OCP pipeline megaproject goes ahead. Local
villagers in Mindo have been protesting since last autumn over plans to run a pipeline along the
particularly narrow Guarumos mountain ridge, in close proximity to two active volcanoes.
All are welcome.

OIL PIPELINES AND RAINFOREST SURVIVAL IN ECUADOR
A PUBLIC MEETING and letter writing event will take place THIS THURSDAY,
25th APRIL at 7.30pm in
the IRISH WRITERS CENTRE,
19 Parnell Sq N. Dublin 1.

If you want more information, a poster for display and/or copies of lobbying letters contact LASC or [email protected]

LASC can be contacted at: The Latin America Solidarity Centre (LASC) is an initiative
for Development Education, Cultural Promotion and Campaigning Solidarity, linking Ireland and
Latin America 5 Merrion Row, Dublin 2, Ireland Phone+353 1 676 0435 Fax +353 1 662 1784 Email
[email protected] Website www.iol.ie/~lasc

4.
TRAVELLERS CIVIL RIGHTS DEMONSTRATION

Pavee Point and the Irish Traveller Movement are organising a march against the new anti-trespass
law on Thursday 2nd May, 12 o'clock
at the Garden of Remembrance, going to the Customs House (Dept. of Environment).
They want to try and make it quite a big march, so please spread the word

5a
CRITICAL MASS AND LIBERATION DAY
Come along to the Critical Mass cycle this Friday
(26th April) at 6pm.

Bring your whistles, bells, friends, and anything else you can think of. It’s the perfect way to relax at the end of the week.

Some people have suggested including Heuston Station in the route to highlight the lack of cycle parking facilities for commuters there.

5b
LIBERATION DAY
Saturday May 4, 2002
The Million Marijuana March

Stop all cannabis arrests- stop the lies
Release the Medicine- Heal the sick
End the Prison State

Contact
http://www.cannabisireland.com
or http://www.cures-not-wars.org/mmm
or http://www.schmoo.co.uk/mayday

6.
ELECTION 2002
COMHLÁMH PUBLIC MEETING ON TRADE AND GLOBALISATION

Key policy questions will be put to political parties at a series of three
pre-election public meetings, being held in Dublin, in Buswells Hotel,
Molesworth Street.

Participating political parties are Labour, Fianna Fáil, Fianna Gael, The
Green Party, Sinn Féin and The Progressive Democrats
Two of the debates in this series have already taken place. The third will
occur on Wednesday24th.

Speakers:
* Nora Owen TD, FG
* Michael McLoughlin, Labour
* Frances McCole, SF
* Deirdre DeBurca, Green
* Gerry Curran, PD
* FF, to be confirmed

TRADE + GLOBALISATION
24th April 2002 7.00 - 9.00pm
Issues of concern:
* Transparency & accountability in trade rules,
* UN conventions over WTO
* Trade rights and food security.

ADMISSION FREE - ALL ARE WELCOME
Comhlámh, 10 Upper Camden Street Dublin 2.
Queries Tel: 01-4783490

Related request-

I am an American student studying in Ireland for the semester. The program is with the School for
International Training, a program based from Vermont, and focuses on Peace and Conflict Studies. For the next three weeks we are conducting an independent study project that consists of self initiated research
on a topic of our choice. I am studying the
perceptions of globalization in Ireland. The
dimension of globalization I am looking at is its
benefits and threats to Ireland’s economy with a
specific focus on computer software/information
technology firms here in Dublin. I am interested in how different levels of society perceive the impacts and implications of this type of foreign investment. Right now I am concentrating on the levels of government policy and anti-globalization movements. Through different contacts I have been referred to your organization as a source of further information.
If you have time in the next two weeks, I would be
greatly interested in meeting with you or a
spokesperson from your organization to gain a better sense of your involvement with the process of globalization in Ireland. However, I understand if you are busy and unable to. I would appreciate any other information or other contacts that you might be
aware of. Thank you for your time.

Jessie Crabb
[email protected]

AND FINALLY-

The girl who pied Bertie - statement
Bairbre was in court Thursday in Sligo
(It's up there with the Bould Robert Emmet's)

COURT STATEMENT - pass on to those who care 'why'

Ahern and others in positions of power (regardless of party) are respected automatically without having to do anything to earn that
respect. Because they don’t have to earn it, they abuse it. It’s time for the respect to become conditional. Lies and deception should be
unacceptable. By pieing Ahern I was showing what respect is really due to him, not for his position, but for what he has done and continues
to do while using that position. He’s just a front man for big business, and that has no respect for Irish culture or the land, or
the people. It knows no boundaries and destroys all it touches.

I am deeply worried about the future these people are building, which my children will have to live in.

Ahern and other politicians allow Coillte to take the people’s common land and turn it into a tree farm where nothing but money trees can
live. Coillte have poisoned our ground water with their pesticides and are still doing so. There have been numerous cases of children being
poisoned by their sprays, yet when I tried to bring them to account through the Dail, via TD, Joe Higigns, the questions were not allowed. The system had been set up in such a way that they don’t even have to answer questions from the people on whose behalf they claim to hold the land.

GM crops were introduced without any vote, and debate only happened after their introduction; none of the viable parties to vote for
opposed them. And what about all the chemical companies who are only in Ireland becase can get away with polluting our air and water? Did
we get to vote on them?

Ahern got into power using lies. He promised he would not change our constitution and sign us up to PfP, ie. NATO. But when he got into power he ignored the people’s wishes and signed away our neutrality.

Shannon is used as a US air base and Ahern is currently trying to steamroller us into accepting the increased militarisation of Europe via the Treaty of Nice. The government has spent millions on new weapons, manufactures and exports weapons, conducts military research in universities, and generally toes the industrial military line.

Already this country looks and feels exactly the same as any other country in the EU. We forgot everything that Connolly, Pearse, Collins and thousands of nameless warriors died for in our mad
scramble for mobile phones and bigger roads. Our self-sufficient, diverse, and vibrant communities are being wiped out. Our sense of ourselves as being a group of happy, rooted people with control over our lives is eroded. We've lost our forests, our independence, our culture...and for what? Have you noticed how miserable everyone is?
It's no wonder most people stay holed up in their concrete boxes, only venturing out to their boring, useless jobs and then back to the
telly, to their daily dose of propaganda.

Unquestioned development like big shopping centres and the new roads they spawn fragment our communities, erasing differences between
counties and within them, destroying our native identity, replacing it with an homogenised english/american car culture. This culture of
crime and violence is one my children are growing up in and it scares me. Irish businessmen get rich pumping american TV culture into our
homes and pubs, replacing our local songs and stories. It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the Euro/American corporate agenda is forced
down our necks anyway.

This thing sweeping Ireland, this agenda, is like “a rising tide, a tsunami impacting our consciousness with revolutionary force,
levelling our villages, sweeping away our shrines and altars, sweeping everything, everything out to sea.?

End of statement. Also, it was great fun. And acts of defiance should be fun, joyful, empowering. Placard-waving, petition-signing, etc. is boring and ineffectual. Time for activists in Ireland to start enjoying their rebellion.

THIS BULLETIN IS EDITED BY GLOBALISE RESISTANCE's Joe Carolan. If you have a story or article, statement, photograph or website, please send it to me at [email protected], or phone me at 087 9032281. To keep in contact with the anti capitalist movement in Ireland, drop in on our website at http://globaliseresistance.cjb.net or look for posts on http://indymedia.ie