Shannon Peace Protests Face Massive Garda Operation

by Anonymous Mon Mar 03, 2003 12:19

1.49 this morning the above piece was finished eh? Well done on getting it up so quick.

One of my many memories of the day will be as I was racing down the road to get to the protest (I was late due to the constraints of my capitalist job, which firmly believes in strict cost cutting and leaving potential employees on the dole queue) - I was listening to Saturday view on Radio One in the car - was the Minister for Justice's comment on Iraq. His immediate starting point was THIS SITE. He commented "has anyone seen the GARBAGE on this site called Indymedia?" and he went on to invite the public to log on to the site and take a look for themselves.

Outrageous what!? Sure there are a few comments posted on this site which amount to garbage, but 99% of the site provides, among many other things, vital information about the state of humanity which the whole world should know about but to its detriment and because of the editorial policy of main stream media, knows largely nothing about. But should it be of any surprise coming from a man and a party with the ideology of theirs.

But at least it proves that this site is provoking reaction from the highest quarters, which means it has having an effect, which I think can only be a good thing. And thanks for the nice bit of prime time advertising there minister! I think it would be nice to send him various articles and reprodution of articles and ask him to reply how these articles amount to "garbage".

Its no wonder the police were so willing to drag off 10 protestors on Saturday who were doing feck all, when their chief executive contemplates ridiculous thoughts like this in him mind and then spouts them out on national radio as his first response to impending annihilation of Iraq.

by iosaf Mon Mar 03, 2003 12:35

http://barcelona.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=34331&group=webcast

by Graham Caswell - Various Mon Mar 03, 2003 15:17

Like many people, Michael McDowell seems to misunderstand the whole point of Indymedia. The idea is not to criticise the media, but to BE the media. If Michael thinks that the content of the site is "garbage" then it is up to him to join the email list, come to the meetings, post content or otherwise contribute to making Irish Indymedia better. Indymedia.ie depends on users such as Michael to produce media as well as consume it.

However its only fair to point out that there are many ways to make a contribution and, like Brendan O'Connor, Michael is clearly doing his best to promote Indymedia in his own way and encourage people to check out the site for themselves. By using his access to the airwaves to promote Indymedia.ie Michael is, no doubt, contributing in the only way he feels he can right now.

At least he's doing something.

by Turloch OTierney - aplpi.com Tue Mar 04, 2003 12:09 totierne at hotmail dot com

We are supposed to be Neutral and the US stopover is supposed to be a matter of course due to 1952 legislation, basically anyone can use Shannon...

Ok the conjecture is not quite a mirror of US War activities.

Can Iraquis refueling planes go through Shannon on there way to bases in Cuba/Venuzuela/Canada?

by Venus Tue Mar 04, 2003 22:45

well done guys , its great to see the strength so alive in the face of this amazing hypocracy that we face in these days. I am presently in Barcelona and we used the oppertunity of a big carnival which is taking place in the town to lead a seperate anti war carnival to a plaza in the centre of barcelona where we opened up a space(that is to say we squated in fact a government building which had been empty for 12 years) to have as a centre for anti war , pro peace activities and to give here information for people who would be passing on the street. It was amazing. The neighbours were so happy to see this space being used again and we had a big peace party. However after 45hours we were met with an extrememly brutal force of riot police who entered the building and beat us. They brought in a load of cranes to take the people off the building who were harnesed to the outside of the building.I myself was beated with a lot of force on my head and legs and although the x rays show no sign of breaks I am very having very weird sensations in my head. I was due to fly back today but was advised not to in case of hemoriging. But, be sure of this everyone, the strength of our peace movement is growing world wide as we unite in our own individual and unified ways. we are not alone. We are so many and they are so few. We have a lot to celebrate and be happy about all over the world where ever we are and whatever action we take. Whether we take personal action in our lives to find more peace or to make peace with eachother or whatever we do. These times are so strong and so are we .. Dont ever think youre alone. Keep up the fight, your sisters and brothers world wide are uniting too. They need us to be strong as we need them to be strong. We are winning this war. Stay Strong. and thank you so much for doing what your doing. I am so proud to be a grassroot girl! Love to you all and hope to see you soon. Venus x

by Anonymous Wed Mar 05, 2003 18:59

Thanks for above Venus. I'm sure your remarks are well appreciated by all activists in Ireland.

And well done also for all your efforts over in Espana. Great to see so much work being done over there as well, and indeed right around this perilous planet of ours.

Can't believe the cops attacked ye like that. Will there be any public inquest, was there any media coverage casting doubts over their actions, or is that just the norm in Spain?

In all fairness to the cops in Shannon, I didn't witness or haven't heard of any brute force being used. And they kept their batons in their sleeves. No doubt they were well warned after their outrageous display at the Reclaim the Streets event in Dublin. At least that was one good thing and let's hope it continues.

Quick healing on your head injuries!

by Izzo - none Thu Mar 06, 2003 16:00 Izzo at iol dot ie Cork

Whats this the media has been reporting about a razor wire fence. I was there and I can honestly say Ive seen bigger fences outside public schools. It is merely a chain link fence with three strips of barbed wire on the the top and one strand along the bottom.

Frankely it would be all too easy for a terrorist to have his evil way with a wiresnips.

by de boyo Mon Mar 10, 2003 23:25

McDowell has the big mouth alright ....

Shure wasn't it his granddaddy McNeill who issued the countermanding order in 1916 .....
http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/5443/erplan.htm

If those boyos had their way we'd all still be loyal subjects of Mrs. Windsor ..... on our way out to Mesopotamia ...... like Tom Barry .....

http://www.nowarblog.org/archives/000389.html

by Bedsheets Fri Mar 14, 2003 07:26

We Surrender!