'Peace' Thugs Plan to Invade Airport

by conor - ucdsa Thu Feb 27, 2003 10:25 conor at ziplip dot com

your forgeting the fact that sinn fein protest , and therefore all these marchers are in the ira

or the fact that this will do joe works for multinational out of a job that bill gates selflessy gave him!

by Rob Thu Feb 27, 2003 10:47

Shock, HORROR. I wonder has the Sunday world also learned that the are meetings in session to plan for the creation of massive floats to take part in the proposed mass parade and street party supported by a hardline element of the outdoor orchestra sections of musical societies worldwide, March 17 - BEWARE!!!

by Anonymous Thu Feb 27, 2003 10:56

That's the problem with Direct Action. You'll always get a few who will go too far and for example wear shite like this. Which the blood thirsty, asshole press will latch onto.

Even if no one goes too far they will distort the image of anti-war protestors anyhow.

How direct action affects & will affect the general public, I think is one of the ultimate guides to whether it is worth doing or not.

The other main guide I reckon is if it scares the American air companies away. Though I'd much prefer if the government kicked them out rather than they leaving voluntarily.

But if the direct action goes according to the GNAW's plan, then I reckon I'm for it. As it is certainly very mild direct action.

by -9- Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:09

It's already happenned in Italy before the social forum, depict the protesters as dangerous thugs, and maybe highlight the division within the movement, hoping to create a split.
No way, mar 1st GNAW, IAWM, and every one who's aganst this bloody war, let's all get to Shannon warport!!!

by Dully Dollard Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:32

At least 300,000 euro, if not more will be spent on Garda Overtime at Shannon on Saturday (stated on Newstalk FM). This money will be directly taken from the overall crime fighting budget which means other policing will suffer, in places like Limerick. Or disadvantaged areas where its needed to help deal with the drugs problem. From time to time the Guards also carry out operations to protect the elderly living alone in rural areas - one was well publicised in the West last year. These will now be scaled back due to the huge amount of finance needed to protect Shannon Airport.

Had the protestors kept peaceful, very little of this would have been necessary, but due to the planned violence on Saturday it is expected that huge numbers of police will have to be drafted in from Cork, Galway, Waterford and Dublin.

All of this is thanks to the stupidity and violent tendencies of the so called 'peace' movement.

by Joe Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:44

It is simply a lie to claim that violence is being planned for Saturday. The GNAW plan has been in public circulation now for a couple of days and extracts have been printed in the media. We are clearly organising on a non-violent basis. The real shame is that some sections of the anti-war movement are rowing in behind such lies! The GNAW plan is below, read it to see what is happening.

As for Gardai resources the Gardia are involved in protecting a military operation that is opposed by up to 80% of the population of Ireland. Maybe they should have a 'blue flu' on Saturday.

Direct Action, Shannon, March 1st. Dublin
GNAW - Grassroots Network Against War phone: 087-7501473 (dublin) [email protected]

Detailed plans for direct action on March first. A few weeks ago Grassroots Network Against War called a 'direct-action' protest at Shannon Airport. We have undergone a debate within the island-wide network to formulate, in as democratic and open a way as possible, a plan that we can propose to people in advance. Following this process of debate, culminating in a delegates meeting this weekend in Galway, we can propose the following plan.

We will attempt to engage in a mass trespass at Shannon airport. This action will be an example of mass non-violent civil disobedience in the tradition of Gandhi's salt march. It will be a purely peaceful protest. We intend to signal our opposition to US warplanes refueling at Shannon airport and to indicate that we refuse to sit back while our government, acting in our names, gives material assistance to a war that will be both brutal and unjust.

We intend to dissemintate this information widely so that people who come to Shannon on March 1st can make an informed choice as to whether they wish to participate in this action, and if so on what level they wish to be involved. This is not a secretive or elite action, nor are we hijacking anybody's movement. Since calling this protest we have met with other anti-war movements and have always been clear that direct action will be part of our protest on March 1st. Since we called this protest, other anti-war movements have called demonstrations for the same time at Shannon, which will operate on a different basis. We respect their right to organise protests in a manner that they see fit and will continue to do everything in our power to co-ordinate with them to ensure that there is no confusion among or between the protests.

We reject suggestions, carried in some of the media that this indicates a split in the anti-war movement. Within any such broad movement there are a range of different viewpoints on suitable tactics and methods to employ. We see this diversity as a sign of strength rather than division. If others within the anti-war movement wish to distance themselves from any approach that goes beyond symbolic protest, we will continue nonetheless to seek unity of purpose in the movement and respect for diversity of tactics.

Here is the detailled plan for the direct action on the day:

1) The assembly point for the protest will be in the carpark of Shannon Shopping center at 2pm. As soon as the crowd has assembled we will address the crowd and explain this plan again and indicate how people can participate and on what levels they can do so.

2) We will form into 2 sections, one for people that wish to take part in the action (signalled by white flags) and one for people that wish to support the action and show their solidarity but do not wish to take part (signalled by pink flags). These 2 sections will proceed to march to the airport with the white section in advance and the pink section behind.

3) Once inside the airport and parallel to the fence on the main approach to the airport, those in the white section will link arms and form a line, one deep, facing the fence. The pink section shall retreat to a safe distance behind this line to observe.

4) 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.

Q. What can I do?

For this action to succeed we need a critical mass of people. We need you. Direct action means YOU do it. However, you do not have to be a super brave commando to take part in this action. There are a number of different levels that people can participate on and all of these are important to the success of the action. Everybody has a part to play.

A) Take part in the trespass. Join in the line. Help pull the fence down. Step across the fence.

B) Take part in the line but do not trespass. You can show your solidarity with the action by linking arms and joining in the line but not participating in the dismatlement of the fence and not crossing the fence once it comes down. This would mean that you have not broken the law while still taking full part in the action.

C) Take part in the trespass but not the line. For those who do not wish to be involved in confrontational acts, stay back from the line but engage in the tresspass once the fence has come down and the situation has calmed down somewhat.

D) Be an active observer. You can take part in the action as an active observer by not taking part in the line but observing it and being ready to respond to events, linking up and swarming about to prevent the police from attacking or arresting people. Create diversions, look out for others, chant, sing.

E) Be a solidarity observer. A space will be set aside, marked by pink flags, where people who do not wish to run any risks of arrest or physical commotion can stay and observe the protest, and show their solidarity with those willing to engage in civil disobediane. This is very imporant since the presence of observers makes it much more difficult for the police to engage in violent or aggressive behaviour towards the peaceful protestors.

Risks.

We should emphasise that, although this is going to be an entirely non-violent protest, those who participate in it do face certain risks. The risks to solidarity observers should be very small, while for those who take part in the line, there is a certain risk of arrest or violence from the police. We believe that, given the current political climate, the state will be very reluctant to be seen to be overly aggressive towards protestors, therefore we do not think that the risks are exceptional. However, it is up to everybody who participates to seriously consider the risks before they take part in anything of this nature.

Together we can do it. We can form a force to free the skies of Clare from the US war machine.

Grassroots Network Against the War. A non-hierarchical network of groups and individuals active against the war, formed at the Grassroots Gathering in Belfast in September 2002.

by Ray Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:45

Does that mean they won't be able to afford badges with their ID number?
Or that they won't be able to replace the batons they broke over the heads of peaceful demonstrators on Dame St?
My heart bleeds for them.

by Mr. Sofa Thu Feb 27, 2003 12:11

Cool, I can't wait to see all these crusties students and commie scum get there arses kicked by the police/army - LIVE! on TV

by Anonymous Thu Feb 27, 2003 12:20

Absolutely Joe. No violence is being planned by the GNAW as has publicly been circulated. Not even attacks on the blood planes.

In response to Dully Dollard. I do take your point but I disagree with it.

It is the government who is costing the country this money. The government is bound by the constitution. The constitution says we are a neutral country and yet the government is actively supporting war on Iraq by its facilitating of US war planes.

80% of the population is opposed to its usage and yet the government persists.

So on both accounts it is responsible for having to incur extra security costs.

As I stated above, violence is not planned anyhow.

And last but not least. Are we to stand back and leave hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi's die to a war which the whole world opposes?

I do not like to see security being withdrawn from any area, especially Limerick, considering the troubles it is currently experiencing.

As I stated, it is the government that is responsible for this. But even if it weren't, can you equate reduced security in Limerick for "one" day (if even) with the lives of "hundreds of thousands" of "innocent" Iraqi children, women & men???

by Terry Thu Feb 27, 2003 12:34

It is hard to believe or maybe it's not, that the Sunday World would publish such crap.
It just shows the levels of deceit the establishment will go to stop people finding out
the real truth about wars. Yeah! Lets label the peace makers as terrorists and the real
terrorists as peace makers! Fear and ignorance is what they peddle.

Did they hire a few people to stage their little photo op or what?

by Anonymous Thu Feb 27, 2003 13:35

Who owns the Sunday World? Is that another one of "bloody" O'Reilly's??

Murdoch has come out heavily pro Blair and pro war. Wow, another big surprise!!

Bloody capitalism.

by bobioc Thu Feb 27, 2003 13:39

As much as they will distort stuff anyway,
don't give them any unnecessary fodder.

talk to people on buses etc and make them a bit more media savy.

by € Thu Feb 27, 2003 14:23

A Sunday World investigative team infiltrated one anti-war meeting in Dublin during the week - and learned there are plans for protestors in mass numbers to scale the fences at Shannon Airport.
Many of those planning to visit Shannon were among the demonstrators at the Reclaim The Streets day in Dame Street last year, and have gone to anti-globalisation marches on the continent.

by Donnacha - none Thu Feb 27, 2003 14:39 donnacha at sortedmagazine dot com London

Wow! Irish activists in Irish activism shock. How did the Sunday World ever manage to find that out? Could it be that they actually did some research, nah! Because if they had, they wouldn't have needed to infiltrate any meetings to know that there are widely known cross-overs between groups like the WSM and Grassroots Gathering.

D.

by non-aligned peacenik Thu Feb 27, 2003 16:05

In the linked article from today’s scurrilous Indo, we see that the NGO Alliance, PANA, Afri and the Mid-West Alliance Against Military Aggression have all pulled their support from Saturday’s march at Shannon, because of concerns over the planned direct action. Yes, the mainstream media is obviously crap, but the average Joe watchs his TV and reads the papers for his info and IS influenced by what he sees and hears there, be it true or not.. You only have to look at the false accusation of assault levelled at the CW5 in the press which lingered for weeks. The media and Govt. spin machine will always look for a split to exploit in any people’s movement with large support and this DA plan has provided plenty of fodder for them to feed off.

To say that the majority of the public are behind DA is a bit hopeful at best. The DA followed by a march of 100,000 in Dublin doesn’t necessarily mean that all were there because of the DA. Who’s to say that the turnout wouldn’t have been huge anyway, as it was all over the world? Yes, the DA raised awareness, (Eoin’s paintjob woke me up to what was happening at Shannon) but the success of the Dublin march cannot be laid totally at the feet of DA. Life’s more complicated than that.
The adverse publicity surrounding the DA WILL scare people away despite GNAW’s (hopeful/náive) assertion that there will be no violence. For example, a good friend of mine texted me today to say she was concerned about going on Saturday because of the proposed DA. She has campaigned at Faslane in Scotland, at Sellafield and has attended most of the previous demos at Shannon. I f a committed peace activist such as my friend has concerns about attending, you can bet many of the people who marched in Dublin will think twice about coming. I’ll go and I’ll take my wife and child, because we will not be put off from expressing our opposition to the coming war, either by the right-wing press or the fear of trouble. However many times you say that people can choose their level of involvement etc. or stay with the IAWM march, many people will simply say “No Thanks”. They’d be wrong to be put off, but that’s people for you. The damage is already done.
Remember, this campaign is not exclusively about getting the US military out of Shannon. A mass movement, supportable by the public at large, is essential to apply pressure on the warmongers. The millions who marched on Feb 15th must be kept onboard, not allowed to drift away or be sidelined by action that alienates them.

Time after time I see “DA has forced the US airlines to pull out” as justification for the proposed DA. Yeah, perhaps. Actions taken by individuals at the dead of night with very little potential for confrontation. Not a f***ing media circus as seems likely on Saturday, with thousands of people who don’t wish to be involved ending up unable to march peacefully because of a minority of DA enthusiasts (yeah, believe it you are a minority). The most likely outcome is, of course, that they’ll block everyone off at the Archway. Great.
I’m sure Bertie & Co. can’t believe their luck – they must be rubbing their hands with delight waiting for scenes of unseemly scuffles between the “so-called peace activists” and Gardai. It’s almost as if there’s a plan afoot to discredit the anti-war movement……….actually I’m not that paranoid.
Anyway, why would they need professional agitators when we’re so good at f***ing it up ourselves?

by marianne Thu Feb 27, 2003 16:31

Infiltrating an open meeting???
Wow, that must've taken some doing.
That's what I call investigative journalism
hahaha

by Joe Black Thu Feb 27, 2003 16:44

Oh come on, we are more then aware that it is a minority of us in the anti-war movements that intend to take part in Saturdays direct action. But many more support such actions. There is evidence to back this up, this is from another thread

Feb 15th Protestors support direct action at Shannon
by Cian Wed, Feb 26 2003, 8:54pm

I conducted a survey on feb 15th for my thesis on the Irish anti war movement.

One of the questions asked participantns in the demonstration whether or not they supported the recent direct action against the U.S. navy plane at Shannon.

A substantial majority were supportive of the action.

Those who supported it included a large number of people who had never been on ANY anti war demonstration in their life. So the myth that direct action scares away people who haven't been involved before seems to be just that - a myth.

People from all over Ireland, all kinds of professions and age groups indicated support for the actions of Mary Kelly and Catholic Worker.

Even those in their seventies and eighties were overwhelmingly supportive of direct action at Shannon!

Anyway, we have the passive support of the vast majority of Irish people who are oppossed to the war and to the use of Shannon. But still the government ignores the will of the people.

It is direct action that is pushing the U.S. military out of Shannon and it is direct action that will complete the reclaiming of our airports.

by conor (wsm personal capacity) Thu Feb 27, 2003 16:49

Probably just wasting my time but any ways

This DA Distraction Is Counter-Productive
by non-aligned peacenik Thu, Feb 27 2003, 3:05pm
In the linked article from today’s scurrilous Indo, we see that the NGO Alliance, PANA, Afri and the Mid-West Alliance Against Military Aggression have all pulled their support from Saturday’s march at Shannon, because of concerns over the planned direct action. Yes, the mainstream media is obviously crap, but the average Joe watchs his TV and reads the papers for his info and IS influenced by what he sees and hears there, be it true or not.. You only have to look at the false accusation of assault levelled at the CW5 in the press which lingered for weeks. The media and Govt. spin machine will always look for a split to exploit in any people’s movement with large support and this DA plan has provided plenty of fodder for them to feed off.

Me: THERE IS NO SPLIT

The GNAW consulted the IAWM came to a deal to have two separate actions the same say – now they won’t talk to us – however (regrettably) both will take place separately
The DA plan has given the media LOADS to feed off – the constant harassment and harrying of the organisers by everyone else will OF COURSE lead them to think there is a split!
So why not give it a break!
We are inviting people to give this a try. We have carefully outlined the consequences. There will be BOTH a peace full IAWM march AND a pink section on out demo for people who do not want to be involved in the action. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but could we not also have respect for diversity of tactics. It doesn’t seem to be a problem in the UK and Italy – where direct action is getting the goods.

To say that the majority of the public are behind DA is a bit hopeful at best.

Me: Will somebody AT LEAST argue with the points we’re making not some spurious version in their own heads!
NO WHERE HAS ANYONE said that the mass of people are behind DA. What I HAVE said is that it has not put a lot of people off (or there’s no evidence that it has ), it has put the focus on Shannon, it has (along with mass demos and the overall mobilisation) caused airlines to drop out
I believe a substantial and growing minority of people want to take some action. They are being abused by the mostly “unelected” leadership of the various Anti War groups. This will play exactly and precisely into the media’s hands – how about respect for diversity

The DA followed by a march of 100,000 in Dublin doesn’t necessarily mean that all were there because of the DA.

Me: AGGGGGGGH OF COURSE THEY WEREN’T NOBODY SAID THEY WERE – it would be a bit too good to be true
neither were they all there in support of exclusively peaceful means – there were a HUGE RANGE of opinions I’m sure – can we not lose the red herrings here !

Who’s to say that the turnout wouldn’t have been huge anyway, as it was all over the world? Yes, the DA raised awareness, (Eoin’s paintjob woke me up to what was happening at Shannon) but the success of the Dublin march cannot be laid totally at the feet of DA. Life’s more complicated than that.

Me: WHO EVER SAID IT WAS all we have said is that there is no evidence IT IS LOSING us numbers

The adverse publicity surrounding the DA WILL scare people away despite GNAW’s (hopeful/náive) assertion that there will be no violence. For example, a good friend of mine texted me today to say she was concerned about going on Saturday because of the proposed DA.

Me: Well then she should go with the IAWM or pink section.
No one is being forced to do any thing all we’re asking for is space for diversity!

She has campaigned at Faslane in Scotland, at Sellafield and has attended most of the previous demos at Shannon. I f a committed peace activist such as my friend has concerns about attending, you can bet many of the people who marched in Dublin will think twice about coming. I’ll go and I’ll take my wife and child, because we will not be put off from expressing our opposition to the coming war, either by the right-wing press or the fear of trouble.

Me: GOOD FOR YOU !

However many times you say that people can choose their level of involvement etc. or stay with the IAWM march, many people will simply say “No Thanks”. They’d be wrong to be put off, but that’s people for you.

Me: true but political activism – can it always be a trip to the fair ground to feed the ducks …?

The damage is already done.
Remember, this campaign is not exclusively about getting the US military out of Shannon. A mass movement, supportable by the public at large, is essential to apply pressure on the warmongers. The millions who marched on Feb 15th must be kept onboard, not allowed to drift away or be sidelined by action that alienates them.

Me: To be honest it is the major, practical thing we can do. Even Richard Boyd Barrett has stated that getting rid of the stop over was the main aim of the IAWM – I see no evidence of direct action making people drift away. There were massive demos in the UK and Italy where there have also been many effective direct action which are having a real effect on the build up to war. We support more large demos the two things complement

Time after time I see “DA has forced the US airlines to pull out” as justification for the proposed DA. Yeah, perhaps. Actions taken by individuals at the dead of night with very little potential for confrontation. Not a f***ing media circus as seems likely on Saturday, with thousands of people who don’t wish to be involved ending up unable to march peacefully because of a minority of DA enthusiasts (yeah, believe it you are a minority).

Me:Minority that’s to be seen……
we have carefully and honestly laid out our plans so that only those who want to be involved and understand the consequences will.

A mass media circus and some direct action is all good – keep the focus on Shannon, the media on Shannon the action on Shannon – the Americans are watching and getting more and more pissed off!
The most likely outcome is, of course, that they’ll block everyone off at the Archway.

Me: GOOD instant mass blockade

Great.
I’m sure Bertie & Co. can’t believe their luck – they must be rubbing their hands with delight waiting for scenes of unseemly scuffles between the “so-called peace activists” and Gardai. It’s almost as if there’s a plan afoot to discredit the anti-war movement……….actually I’m not that paranoid.
Anyway, why would they need professional agitators when we’re so good at f***ing it up ourselves?

Me:If it was a secret plan to discredit the anti war movement – I think something better then a publically notified, carefully planned, peaceful action waould have been used!

Meantime try to move beyond perception and media spin into real action, real actaul material world
– Bertie and co may put an awful spin on SATURDAY –
BUT ONE MORE BREECH COULD Be all it needs for the military to get out!

They will ALWAYS hate us when we’re effective

just as THEY love liberal, ineffective do gooders who do what they’re supposed to do and protest as they are allowed and not one step more – these things are not surprising!

“they never call themselves the weak – always the good” - Neitzche

"Every Prussian carries his gendarme in his breast" Max Stirner

"the great only appear great because we are on or knees" Jim Larkin

"Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted
the world in various ways; the point is to change it" Karl Marx

Conor

Conor