RESISTANCE CONTINUES, GOOD FRIDAY PEACE ACTIVISTS ENTER SHANNON AIRPORT

Friday April 18, 2003 03:58

by Catholic Worker Movement - Resistance is fertile

3am Libation completed at edge of runway in peace

Two members of the radical anti-war Catholic Worker Movement (see www.catholicworker.org) were arrested inside Shannon Airport in the early hours of Good Friday. Jenny Hannon of Dublin and Martin McGowan of Sligo were detained by airport security and police after making their way into the airfield. They had constructed a shrine to the Iraqis slain in the recent U.S. military assault, conducted the Catholic Office of the Dead and began to plant a bed of potatoes. By 3.45am they were still airside, where they continued their libation at the edge of the runway in peace.

Jenny Hannon stated,
"We come to Shannon Airport on Good Friday to recognise the ongoing crucifixion of the people of Iraq. Our airports have been complicit in the decade-long enforcement of genocidal sanctions, and now the past month of intensified bombing in Iraqi towns and villages.

"By allowing refueling of U.S. military flights at Shannon, Ireland is now co-operating with a huge armed robbery of Iraqi resources to be plundered. The entire infrastructure of Iraqi society - deliberated destroyed by U.S./U.K. bombs in the Gulf Wars - faces privatisation by U.S. corporations - water, roads, hospitals, etc.

"We remember the dead and dying, and plant potatoes as a symbol of new life, returning the land occupied by Shannon Airport to a proper relationship with a God of Life and Love." (see www.refuelingpeace.org)

In early February five other members of the Catholic Worker Movement were arrested after disarming a U.S. Navy warplane at Shannon Airport. Karen Fallon will accept bail later today, joining the other four bailed awaiting trial. (see www.ploughsharesireland.org)

CONTACTS:
Ciaron: (087) 918 4552
John Robinson: (087) 643 8179

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