Direct action plan saturday

by Mark Thu Feb 27, 2003 13:38

Thanks ill do 70 for my bus

by ipsiphi Thu Feb 27, 2003 14:19

write the legal team number on your arm.
that way you not only have symbolic number on your arm but you dont go losing it.
and print too many of these leaflets. They are helpful afterwards as well.
good luck disobedients!

this satisfies the criteria of a well planned concieved and supported non violent civil disobedience pacifist direct action.

by trespasser Thu Feb 27, 2003 14:44

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.

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 trespass 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 disobedience. This is very important 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.

by Liam Fri Feb 28, 2003 12:39

I think the Gardai and the Defence Forces may have something to say about what yee have planned. Remember Reclaim the Streets.

by Joe Fri Feb 28, 2003 15:26

Quite right Joe. After the brutal attack by the Gardai on the May 6th RTS we decided not to be intimidated and to organise another one for September. The Gardai, the media and the politcal parties were saying this was bound to be a riot. Guess what - its wasn't. We reclaimed a street, enjoyed oursleves for a few hours and peacefully dispersed at the end

by gadzooks Fri Feb 28, 2003 17:54

What effect will pulling down a fence in Shannon airport have on a US build up in Iraq? Surely it would more productive if you did the trocaire fast and got money for their Iraq fund instead of assing around in Shannon when you know the most you will achieve is a) cost the taxpayer money b) use up Garda resources while they are needed in proper policing c) damage a fence (if you get near it) d) in the long run maybe, just maybe get the US to use Frankfurt instead of Shannon.

now tell me, what f*ckin good is that to the people in Iraq who are going to get bombed?

by nailik Fri Feb 28, 2003 18:48

To those planning to pull down a fence: You are just falling into a Government/media trap to portray all anti-war protestors as mindless thugs. They will simply use any incidents of violence to justify cracking down on dissidents, much like Bush is using the actions of a few dangerous fundamentalists to portray all Muslims as anti-democratic and deserving of his wrath.

A large dignified peaceful protest will achieve infinitely more than the reckless acts of a few.

Anyway, the gardai are fully prepared - razor wire, reinforcements, choppers, plainclothes plants in the crowd. Who do you think you're kidding?

by Chekov Fri Feb 28, 2003 19:46

"A large dignified peaceful protest will achieve infinitely more than the reckless acts of a few. "

Evidence? (DA - 3 airlines out, 100,000 march - ?)

by nailik Fri Feb 28, 2003 20:55

Chekov, in the statement of intent on your website (I'm assuming you are the Chekov of Grassroots), you cite Gandhi as your primary inspiration.

Surely his non-violent, peaceful approach is the most classic example of what that can acheive?

Are you not contradicting yourself by advocating desctructive policies?

by 360' Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:35

So when are you guys going to learn that nothing you do matters ?

Just because you guys say NO to War in Iraq, that doesnt mean it's going to stop.

If it wasnt for the Allies in WW2, We could/would have possibly ended up speaking German/Russian.

How dare you tits call yourselves PEACE Activists or whatever when you seem hellbent in Destroying Shannon Airport and all it's Business, would you like to see the demise of Shannon and the loss of jobs for IRISH People ? ?

Why dont you go to Baghdad and say your a peace protester, and saddam wont be long in showing you 1 of his methods of torture, maybe if your lucky today you wont go into the Acid Bath but might be lucky enough to get Raped by broken Glass...

Those torture methods are known to be Saddams favourites as described by the UN.

SO youd rather say NO TO WAR, so the Allies cant kill that mutherfucker and you would rather let Saddam reign over Iraq and end up starving us of oil needed to make your Hippie vehicles drive to Shannon to protest, and to also have a stronger grip over the Iraqi People who so so so want this war to happen so we can kill this Bastard who thinks he is descended from allah.

You really make me sick, you do more harm than good and you achieve nothing.

If a World War broke out, i guarantee yopu guys would be the first to come running for shelter when the Nukes start dropping or are you brave enough to withstand a Nuclear Missile ? ?

Maybe you guys could be Irelands first line Defence instead of me and my Comrades because when the shit hits the fan......YOU WILL NEED US.