Planned Direct Action Is Premature

by Pat Manana Tue Feb 25, 2003 22:21

All uprisings, all revolutions are premature. How do you gauge when the right moment has arrived? You can't.But have no fear the armed wing of the Gombeen/comprador Govt. will shoot the 'terrorists' if ordered by Bush/Blair/Aherne.

by As do many other moles Tue Feb 25, 2003 22:22

slowly but surely - from RTE a few mins ago
by As do many other moles Tue, Feb 25 2003, 8:59pm

20:38) Two more US airlines have decided to end stopovers at Shannon while carrying US troops.

North American Airlines and Miami Airlines are both charter troop carriers for the US military.

They confirmed tonight to TG4 that they have stopped using Shannon Airport.

Both said that security at the airport was of concern to them.

by Mass Movement Tue Feb 25, 2003 22:33

I appeal to all those planning XXXXXXX to ask themselves two things.
1: What will this achieve?
2: For who’s benefit am I doing this?
If you are convinced that the XXXXXXX will be beneficial and that your motives are pure, then proceed but please do so in a manner that is clearly independent of the main march! I hope that the XXXXX continues to grow as it has done. I am not naïve enough to believe that the government here and abroad will easily bend to our will and in this respect I feel that XXXXXXXXX, taking the form of a mass XXXXXXX on the runway, will be necessary at some point in the future when the will of the people is behind it. As of now there is no general appetite for such XXXXXX.

by Me Tue Feb 25, 2003 22:35

There seems to be a movement towards direct action worldwide - or wherever there are direct targets, anyways - now that the F15 demos are over

by Jim Costello Tue Feb 25, 2003 22:54

Why direct action at Shannon where Fianna Fail says that its armed wing are prepared to shoot'terrorist'. There are many other sites to protest US UK control of Ireand.

by james Tue Feb 25, 2003 23:25

Do you honestly believe that the State will tolerate a sit down protest fro 3 hours anymore than a fence shake? They'll drag people off the road and arrest them if they attempt to get back on. The only people effected by your sit down will be the poor passengers some of whom will end up stranded after missing connecting flights. The fence shake is the way to go. The clock is ticking, death is approaching.

by Picky Pete Tue Feb 25, 2003 23:26

This article is commentary not news

by A Wed Feb 26, 2003 01:01

I agree wholeheartedly with the article by peace campaigner. I have no problem with direct action, and beleive it has a vital role. However, we have to think strategicaly. All I care about is stopping this war, and this is not the time for a mass direct action at Shannon. Not at this point in time.

The anti - war movement in Ireland has surpassed anyones expectations. We are a force to be reckoned with. We have the people on our side, and even the media to an extraordinary extent.

Lets not hand a gift to the government.

Finally, me congratulations and total support for Dubsky, Mary Kelly and the Catholic Worker 5. Great job, your timing was right and you got results.

Solidarity.

by path in exile Wed Feb 26, 2003 01:16

I was halfway through a long reply to this but then didnt bother with it. This "article" is the most wishy washy bleating I think I've read today.

The author openly admits that what the direct action people have done is good, but now its time to stop? Come on. Give over with your 'waiting til the time is right', jesus that sounds like an overly familar mantra of a certain party political megaphone broadcast.

Two more troop carriers have backed out of Shannon Airport. Direct action works. If the previous marches had all been "people power" (i.e. marching in circles around Shannon town) then the planes would still be landing there.

Why dont you respect diversity of tactics - you have your way of protesting, other people have theirs, nobody is forcing anyone to get involved in anything they dont want to.

Dare I say it: but what gives the "anti-globalisation" movement (because even though nobody likes to say it, its all the same people involved with the antiwar thing) a bit of a spark is that so many different groups can protest side by side with different methods, and understand that they both want a common goal.

The march in Dublin, even though it was great, huge turnout, etc: did not stop those planes landing at the airport. The direct actions at Shannon did. Think about it.

by path in exile Wed Feb 26, 2003 01:21

"Now is not the right time for a direct action at Shannon". When exactly is it then? Please elaborate. When the war starts? When people are already being killed? When nuclear bombs are being transported through Shannon? When certain elements of the peace movement say its OK to do so?

We'd be waiting a long time for that I imagine - when the war on Afghanistan had started without any sort of UN mandate, and planes were refuelling in Shannon, you still couldnt get certain people to endorse a direct action there - or even protest down there.

So when is the "right time" please? I am all ears.

by Really, really revolutionary - Serious Analytical Revolutionary Workers Dawn 3rd Internation Committee (Provisional) Wed Feb 26, 2003 03:47

Direct action is appropriate during a revolution. It is very important that the revolution not happen before the direct action though. The lumpen-proletarian and proletarian elements must be educated by paper sales and the election of people's representatives who will point out all the crap things happening to the people.

Then the contradictory forces of the dialectic converge and synthesise a new reality.

So, don't do anything Marx wouldn't do!

by vert-et-noir Wed Feb 26, 2003 05:32

Several thousand seated protestors being dragged away (assuming they could do it), or even worse being battoned will be percieved in a totally different manner to several hundred hooded and masked people being battoned as they push past police and army.

A blockade can begin earlier in the day so increasing the disruption, anyone who really wants to get arrested can join a human chain accross the road to the airport. The scope for diversity will in a lot of ways be much broader, with a little imagination and a little effort almost anything can be turned into a blockade. About the only negative perception is this talk of inconvieniencing passengers, well if tearing down the fence doesn't inconvienience passengers whats the point of it? eh? Not to mention the inconvienience the Iraqi people will suffer.

The mainstream media (whom WE don't listen to) have begun branding saturday as a violent protest, the gardai must be delighted with the opportunity this will present to demonstrate the need for peace enforcement and there WILL be a setback if this protest fails, and I've yet to meet anyone, anywhere who thinks it could succeed.

by Peace Campaigner Wed Feb 26, 2003 11:43

I am delighted to hear that last night MAMA opted to distance themselves from the planned action on Saturday. I do feel vindicated and delighted to see that sense prevails. Being one who is happy to engage in debate, I must admit to being rather saddened by the poor arguements posted against my piece. Surely there is someone with a better reply or are these basesless rantings indicative of those planning the action???????

by ipsiphi Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:12 barcelona

..............not always.

This week in my home city there have been many arrests of young protesters who have been accused of fighting a consistent campaign against "the system". Details are not known yet (we await the court hearings and only Garzón knows exactly what these youngsters are accused of) but it ·seems· that their offence has been fire bombing Banks. In particular fire bombing bank lobbies. Here in Spain "bankomats" [automated bank tellers] are often inside a lobby. These places are often the first resort for rough sleepers. Destroying an ATM not only inconveniences those who would use the ATM, the "lumpen bourgoise" but also deprives rough sleepers of a warm place to bed down.

I can not support this action.

Like releasing mink into the wild, it places "action" ahead of efficacy. This is the territory of "hot-heads", those who seem to think that any action as long as it is "direct" is worthwhile. They turn "activity" and what often is only hormone release into a socailised fetish. IT is not always the case that ·Direct Action· is needed.

Whereas I can not support the ATM action, I must however support the action perpetrators. If I do not, they are abandoned without support to a state judicial system that shows no understanding of the underlying causes of social unrest which maifests itself in such behaviour, behaviour which is for most more akin to "delinquency" than "anti-capitalism". If they are not supported they are processed as "urban-terrorists", a path which will only lay the seeds for "·urban-terrorism·" in the future. I have no wish to see more dead bodies on the streets.

I presume that in Ireland, there is such feeling as well. You cannot do what ever you want, and aftwerwards claim it as a "direct action", "D.A." is a ·technique·, one of many to achieve an agreed objective in a protesting situation.

It is rarely the only ·technique· employed.

If the protesters of Ireland feel that breaking the fence, or breaching the perimeter, will put more pressure on the Irish authorities to stop Shannon being used by the "USAF", then do so. But if such action is only an opportunity to provoke confrontation between protesters and security forces then it is worthless and counter productive. Any activist who supports "D.A." lives in opposition to the security forces. Such an activist need not provoke confrontation. Such activists rather learn "what they can safely do and what they can safely not to". Where the ·safety· & ·efficacy· of the group (of the collective) is prime.

In London I and my community supported the pregnant girlfriend of a rioter imprisoned for eight months after May 1 1999 RTS. I could never see any point in the scuffle he thought to cause.
One of a series of scuffles caused by both security forces and those invited to join a collective action on the street. The collective action was ·a direct action· it would have worked better without "distracting" protester/police violence.
And we lived with the consequences of the violence of others of the ·"lumpen protester"·,

and I dare say the child the couple (more marginalised socially now than before) brought into this world will too.

If you have come to the political opinion that the ·"state"· is your opponent, then hopefully you have come to the conclusion that you are ·not alone· thus do not make yourself a martyr for what is a global injustice. And in saving your martyr instinct, in trying to be calm, you may also avoid prejudicing others upcoming court cases.

So. if you see a USAF machine then try and do something about it, but remember that ·they· = Aer riannta, Garda, Soldiers, FF, FG, PD, your local praish priest, the neighbourhood watch and RTE and then of course the perfidious British hun, and the whole establishment of US/K will probably try and ·do you for it·
or
·do someone else for it·

try not let that happen.

by Cathal Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:43

Such action is playing into the hands of those trying to divide the anti-war movement. For one, the mainstream media reports of US planes not using Shannon, and the loss of money and jobs (we are a consumer society don't forget, and more people than you or I would want feel that money, and consequently the source of that product, jobs, is of more importance - planes not using shannon=loss of revenue=loss of jobs=angry people looking for someone to blame=not the government but the people who's action resulted in this loss=the demonstrators) is tactical move on behalf of the government/US/business.
As George Clinton once said "Think - its not illegal yet"

by Brian - AF (personal capacity) Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:45 contact at afireland dot cjb dot net

"There will be mass arrests and possible Garda brutality followed by an increase in the security clampdown at Shannon Airport and the banning of future marches"

So be it, if there are "mass arrests", the public will see a police force out of control (or totally under control) defending the US war machine and its interests in shannon.

"Sections of the media will use these incidents to fall back on lazy stereotypes to describe anyone anti-war"

They are already doing this, the media is lazy end of story, media coverage of the demonstrations in ireland has been mixed, and it will continue to be mixed after this action on saturday and it hasnt made any difference whatsoever to the growth of anti war sentiment in ireland.

"The establishment parties will use the acts to attempt to tar all protesters with the same brush and endeavour to frighten sections of the anti-war supporters"

Who the fuck listens to the establishment parties anymore in all fairness?

"Certain people currently on our side will be scared by the actions and discontinue their support for the campaign"

Hasn't happened, this action occured already, things only got bigger, Eoin Dubsky broke into the airport, things only got bigger, Mary Kelly done a job on a plane with an axe, things only got bigger, the CW5 done another job on that plane, things only got even bigger, do you see where im going with this? If we dont do anything, it falls out of the spotlight!

"These actions will have no effect on the build up to war on Iraq nor will it alleviate the sufferings of the Iraqi women and children"

Okay, great logic, no one said it would stop the war, but what do you suggest as a "peace activist" we just sit around and watch it all unfold on TV and give out about it down the pub later? Or maybe, logon to indymedia and criticise people who want to make a stand and say, not here, not ever, not anywhere, not ever?

"Barring a full scale nationwide revolution, the power axis in this country, the business community, the establishment parties and the security forces, will become strengthened and emboldened"

Oh, i can see that happening, alright, news flash, fence comes down at Shannon, bertie announces complete corporate takeover of ireland. what are you talking about?

"I therefore ask those people planning to jump the fence, cut down the fence or engage in any incursions onto the runway to think about the bigger picture"

They have and they have posted their plan and their opinions on the picture on this website in a freely openly democratic way so you can know it.

"Western society has been sustained by the Christian notion of the glorious martyr heralding the dawn of a new era by self sacrifice. In Ireland we have suffered especially from this belief. We must move away from this over romantic and counter-productive idea. Being arrested may well look good on your revolutionary CV and imbue you with a badge of righteous dedication but your interests should not be paramount in this campaign. It must always be remembered that this is a campaign aimed at stopping the bombing of innocents in Iraq. Will jumping over a fence and getting arrested help this cause?"

Will getting your face on TV taking cheap shots at the government for calling your organisation names, then walking around in circles shouting nice heart warming chants, listening to a bunch of carreerist politicians trying to look credible and selling a few newspapers help this cause?

1: What will this achieve?

It shows the government, no matter what they do, no matter how many troops they may flood into the area, no matter how much scaremongering they may apply, you cannot protect yourself from the wrath of the people!

by conor (wsm personal capacity) Wed Feb 26, 2003 14:33

OK I’m bored at work with time on my hands lets go through peace campaigner/obvious swp full timers mealy mouthed tract in full:

Arguments against the planned direct action on Saturday

PC: What happens this Saturday at Shannon Airport is of the utmost importance to the future direction of the campaign against the US and Britain’s plans to bomb Iraq and the Irish governments complicity with them. Thus far the campaign has won over the majority of the Irish people thanks to the tireless campaigning by certain political parties, ngo’s and individuals.

Me: OK firstly polls would indicate that from when it was first proposed people in Ireland have been against the Iraqi adventure. They have been consistently 60-70% opposed and this has remained steady. There has been massive and excellent organising work down by IAWM and many groups and I don’t want to down play that. We must for once and for all accept – People are AGAINST THIS WAR and HAVE BEEN FROM THE START. The question is how do we make the establishment and the politician realise and respond to our democratically voiced opinions.
Pc: However, this campaign would never have received such widespread attention had it not been for the direct action taken by certain individuals.
There have been times throughout this campaign where the mass of the population have been either apathetic or convinced by the government’s lies and thereby rendered inactive. Certain incidents, most notably Eoin Dubsky’s spray painting of the plane, shook people out of their lethargy and brought focus to practices the powers that be sought to cover over.

Me: I would agree. Though I believe it was the Catholic worker/Mary Kelly action that really opened up a serious debate and switched it to where it has remained firmly and rightly – Shannon. Also we shouldn’t leave out the last highly successful mass invasion
http://www.struggle.ws/wsm/ws/2002/73/shannonreport.html

To date the campaign has moved at a pace that the people of Ireland have been able to keep up with. Otherwise non political or doggedly Fianna Fail or Fine Gael supporters have been convinced by our arguments and our modus operandi.

Me: all true

Pc: It is thus with regret that I read on IndyMedia that certain groups plan to ‘storm’ the airport on Saturday and wreck havoc inside the fence. To my mind this action will have the following consequences…

Me: What plan is this you read?!?!?!?!?!
– I saw a statement from GNAW detailing a carefully organised peaceful, mass act of civil disobedience. I was very impressed by the time and care that obviously went into does proposals. Where you looking at a different article. Where exactly is this plan to raise ruckus and send skin and spit flying? – besides the cavernous hollows of your imagination of course

pc: · There will be mass arrests and possible Garda brutality followed by an increase in the security clampdown at Shannon Airport and the banning of future marches.
Me: There will be arrests that is ALMOST certain .
There MAY BE SOME brutality – though in the light of the massive media publicity due to the advance notice (an excellent tactic in my view) this will probably be minimal.
How can you state these OPINIONS as if they were fact gleaned from your IS crystal ball?
We can assume there will be garda reaction any one who participates will expect this. Furture security clamp down only indicates that we are succeeding.
We are costing them money
we are costing them bad publicity.
We are winning.
Direct Action is winning.
There is now one air line left – you can sure as feck assume that the rest did not pull out because of
“Mass peaceful protest to the Terminal”
Mass protest is good and shows the huge ground swell against the war.
Now we have to turn it into some thing effective.
If not now when ????

pc:· Sections of the media will use these incidents to fall back on lazy stereotypes to describe anyone anti-war.
Of course – as always – the evening herald yesterday was talking of a demo of 70,000 people on the 15th and saying it was the high water mark of a spent movement.
Obviously we KNOW this is rubbish.
So the media lie – we know it and an increasing number of ordinary heads do to. The cameras will be there on Saturday – so what really happens will have to get out to some extent

pc:· The establishment parties will use the acts to attempt to tar all protesters with the same brush and endeavour to frighten sections of the anti-war supporters.

The usual patronising assumptions.
The usual complete lack of evidence for them
People are scared when they see a fence some down – some arrests!
Where is your evidence – as usual nada not a shred!
DID YOU EVER just for one second think people are opposed and sickened by this war and would like to see something useful done to oppose it. That maybe it would be nice to not move beyond helpless bleating. That people might just say “feck thousands are about to be killed maybe some minor inconvenience for me might be worth it”
Did you ever think maybe when 100-150,000 march through the streets that maybe and airlines pull out of Shannon that we can win!
It’s the smell of victory you’re afraid of
“they never call themselves the weak only the good” (neitzche – from “the antichrist”)

· pc: Certain people currently on our side will be scared by the actions and discontinue their support for the campaign.
Me: evidence comrade -evidence

pc:· These actions will have no effect on the build up to war on Iraq nor will it alleviate the sufferings of the Iraqi women and children.
Me: that’s fecking arrant nonsense how can you BEAR to write that!
It will have a minor but real effect on the US build up. It would be a huge victory for us and an inspiration to heads blocking trains in Italy, blockading bases in England etc The tiny fragmented axle of weasel that passes for a left in Ireland has seen very few victories
it would be nice to take that final step and get one!
And it may not stop anyone from getting killed in Iraq but they will get to hear of it they will know we tried, they will know we did ALL WITHIN OUR POWER. When the moment came we didn’t hang back – we didn’t condemn those who had some courage equal to desire….
I think it’s the smell of victory you can’t handle

pc:· Barring a full scale nationwide revolution, the power axis in this country, the business community, the establishment parties and the security forces, will become strengthened and emboldened.
Me: So we never do anything short of a revolution!
That’s nonsense their on the rocks – Bertie’s squirming – they are exposed – in a small way we’re making progress – how do you think being FORCED to put the army in Shannon makes them stronger. Getting a public roasting from the Americans makes the stronger? Losing two more airlines makes them stronger?

pc:I therefore ask those people planning to jump the fence, cut down the fence or engage in any incursions onto the runway to think about the bigger picture.
Me: read the original plan rather then make up your own version!
“The line will walk towards the fence with arms linked and once we reach the
fence we will attempt to pull it down. Once the fence has been dismantled we
shall cross it and shall remain in the grass verge on the other side of the
fence. We will not attempt to occupy the runway or to reach any planes, the
purpose of this action is to demonstrate that the state can not secure the
'warport' against the anger of the people.”
What is reading beyond your abilities !
You think about the bigger picture – if you are a revolutionary as your post implies – why don’t you wake up – can’t you smell the mood ?
Pc: Western society has been sustained by the Christian notion of the glorious martyr heralding the dawn of a new era by self sacrifice. In Ireland we have suffered especially from this belief. We must move away from this over romantic and counter-productive idea.
Me: This was certainly the spirit with the Catholic Worker action it isn’t with the mass action – we are publically inviting as MANY People AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE THIS A success – we want to minimise consequences but look after people that are done
– this “martyr” argument is a big scarlet fish methinks

pc:Being arrested may well look good on your revolutionary CV and imbue you with a badge of righteous dedication but your interests should not be paramount in this campaign. It must always be remembered that this is a campaign aimed at stopping the bombing of innocents in Iraq. Will jumping over a fence and getting arrested help this cause?

Me: Yes see above actually I’ll cut and paste it for ya –
I think you need you sources VERY close to hand to stop you making up shit !

“It will have a minor but real effect on the US build up. It would be a huge victory for us and an inspiration to heads blocking trains in Italy, blockading bases in England etc The tiny fragmented axle of weasel that passes for a left in Ireland has seen very few victories” (from above)
it would be nice to take that final step and get one!
And it may not stop anyone from getting killed in Iraq but they will get to hear of it they will know we tried, they will know we did ALL WITHIN OUR POWER. When the moment came we didn’t hang back – we didn’t condemn those who had some courage equal to desire….
I think it’s the smell of victory you can’t handle

pc:In my opinion the only way to stop innocent lives being taken in Iraq is to generate such a global momentum that governments are scared to go against the citizens wishes. We must get more people on our side.
Me: How many is enough – 70% in the polls 150,000 on the streets hasn’t reached the red line on the white board. When are you “allowed” to appreciate diversity of tactics in a mass movement. A mass movement is alright Jack provided it does exactly what we tell it to do,
NEWS FLASH mass movements often tend to do their own thing.
We have the mass movement the question is what can it do to stop the war?

Pc: Ill advised and premature direct action will lose us support.
It hasn’t up to now IN FACT it may be gaining us support.
Its amazing how having the courage of your convictions tends to grab the youth
– y’all should try it sometimes !
pc: If we were to be sensible then we should channel our direct action into marching to the gates of the Airport and then staging a three hour sit-down protest.
Well actually its certainly a very, good fall back tactic (or a clever move by PC to sow divisions ah must be getting paranoid) I certainly would FULLY SUPPORT this action if none other is possible – mind you it will make for angry passengers and if you think the police don’t charge street protests you probably weren’t selling the paper at the last RTS mayday thingy !
Pc:This would hinder business at the airport and send a clear signal to the government without alienating current supporters.

Me: It would sure as fuck alienate passangers, taxi drivers, disabled people going to Lourdes – etc etc
– every mode of direct action has its disadvantages –
how ever I still say it looks like a good suggestion especially if the fence is covered with police. Any way PC maybe see you out side the gates
pc:I appeal to all those planning direct action to ask themselves two things.

1: What will this achieve?
2: For who’s benefit am I doing this?
If you are convinced that the action will be beneficial and that your motives are pure, then proceed
me:
we are
we will
It may just be the final nail that knocks outthe final air line lets hope so
“motive are pure” you’re the man that was going on about martyr complexes earlier do we have to join in a decade of the rosary?
Pc:but please do so in a manner that is clearly independent of the main march.
“THE MAIN MARCH”
It hasn’t struck PC
1. that CNAW called for and organised March 1st BEFORE this “main march” showed up
2. MAYBE our minor diversion might BE BIGGER then ”the main march”?
– oh my god swirling shift of perspectives – ordinary heads go further than leaders shock !
pc: I hope that the campaign continues to grow as it has done.
Me: me too and it will if we put our money where our mouths are – respect diversity of tactics – and stop irrational un-evidenced shit stirring
Pc: I am not naïve enough to believe that the government here and abroad will easily bend to our will
I’m experienced enough to say THEY ARE
there’s 3 air lines gone now
when are we allowed to say we are winning ?

pc: and in this respect I feel that direct action, taking the form of a mass sit down on the runway, will be necessary at some point in the future
me: read the post we haven’t called for it – mind you when is your legendary future – after the war – maybe when Trotsky can be cloned and we have some decent leadership…
when the will of the people is behind it.

Me: 70% 150,00 on the streets how do you know what “the people” think?
– – yawn I’m repeating me self
As of now there is no general appetite for such action.
Me: And yet 150 people where behind it LAST OCTOBER http://www.struggle.ws/wsm/ws/2002/73/shannonreport.html
before we had marches of 150,000
You may be a spin doctor but I don’t see what makes you qualified on peoples appetite and given your tendency to make up imaginary versions of planned actions I’d have to worry about your abilities there too!
Pc:Acting unilaterally out of a belief in ones own righteousness is against what we should be standing for.
Yours in peace…
Me: Yeah so why don’t people in the IAWM join in our planned action instead of UNILATERALLY attempting to force their own plans/march roots on “their mass movement”

Yours in anger, boredom, contempt and disgust

Conor

(ps after the success of this action can please not have a flurry of fools pretending it was their idea – nice one)

by Gyn O Cologist Wed Feb 26, 2003 22:55

The foregoing is not only premature but its an abortion