Lots of new information on The Good Bus website!

by Hansard Thu May 15, 2003 22:57

There was a very positive mood at the Globalise Resistance meeting tonight in Liberty Hall. The meeting concerned the upcoming protests at the G8 summitt in Evian, France, which GR are organising two buses to at the end of the month. There were a number of contributions from a range of speakers.

Cllr. Clare Daly (Socialist Party & SIPTU Shop Steward) spoke about the multinationals that withdrew from the Swords area and the process of privatisation in Dublin Airport. In Aer Lingus there were 3000 job losses, cuts in sick pay & holidays and there was a lower quality of service due to preparations for privatisation. She made the point that privatisation was in reality a "theft of the taxpayer" and "legalised robery". Quoting James Connolly, Clare mentioned that our movement was "the great anti-theft movement".

Bill McCamley (CIE woker director & SIPTU member) spoke about the neo-liberal agenda being carried out in Dublin Bus. He was scathing of the neutered Trade Unions and the "weasal words from Pat Rabbitte" and the other established political parties. The argument for privatisation from the Government were based on "lies and half truths from Seamus Brennan". Bill informed the meeting of Dublin Bus workers establishing strike committees and the determination to resist the break-up of public transport.

Rory Hearne (Globalise Resistance & Socialist Workers' Party) spoke about the blatent imperialism that was evident in the War on Iraq. Rory also spoke about the potential to build a movement here in Ireland, especially with Ireland holding the EU Presidency next year. Other speakers included Gene Simons (Debt and Development Coalition), Donnachadha Ó Brian (Attac) and Aoife (Ógra Shinn Féin).

There were two main contributions from the floor- from Joe Carolan (Socailist Workers' Party) and Oisín Kelly (incoming UCDSU Education Officer & Socialist Party). Joe made the point that the EU is not an organisation that is in the interests of workers in Europe or internationally. He also made the point that Evian will be very inspiring to most going. Oisín spoke about the corporatisation agenda in Education, in particular in UCD. Oisín also mentioned the need for ordinary people to "wage a war over resources- a fight for democratic public ownership".

GR will have a protest at the Dept of Transport on 26th May. The GR buses going to Evian will leave Dublin on Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th May, returning on Tuesday 3rd.

by barry Mon May 12, 2003 21:47

sorry to those who didn't find out about this in time, it was posted here and on several mailing lists (I know they are not the best way to announce things, sadly they are pretty much the only way sans capital) a number of weeks ago, notice that we were doing a bus went out on the gluaiseacht list in early april.

and for the record (and not trying to cause a flame war) the good bus was one of several "sectarian" attempts to organise transport to evian which would be free of party political broadcasts. Many of those who will be travelling on it had sworn never to travel by bus to another summit after the buses to genoa.

These several organising efforts coalesced into one and we decided to keep the goodbus name out of a sense of mischiveous shitstirring.

the other thing with the good bus is that our trip will be about 11 days long as we want to take part in the convergences which will accompany the counter-summit and protests. This will be a really good opportunity to make contacts and share experiences with thousands of other activists and to be insipred to realise myriad new ways of creating our shared future.

this is not in any way meant to try and discourage anyone who wishes to take the long tour to evian from traveling with us, or to discourage anyone who cannot spend so much time away from travelling on one of the GR buses. This is just to lay to rest any suspicions about the motives of those who wanted to organise a "good bus". I'm sure the discussion on all the buses to evian will be 'sparkling' and represent a great many viewpoints.

by happy busman (andy james) - frank and walters Mon May 12, 2003 21:10

Then to take your argument one step further surely it doesnt matter if some people want to travel independently of others, once they're all in Evian protesting surely it makes no difference.

If people want to do things themselves then they should be free to do so without being labelled sectarian, after all diversity (and respect for other peoples differences and their choices) is what the anti capitalist movement is all about.

N'est pas? (brushing up on my Francais you see..)

by Good Bus Mon May 12, 2003 19:07

I'm all for people organising buses to Evian. However to split the people into 'good' bus and 'bad party affiliated authoritarian trot controlled' bus is not a good idea.

I think that a second bus should only be organised if the first is full. That's just common sense. I intenet to go to Evian, I dont care if I'm sitting beside someone I dont agree with politically. So what, who cares? Surely we can discuss differences, and agreements on the bus if we want.

by Noone Mon May 12, 2003 18:50

Too bad I booked my place on another bus already. Next time try to mention it sooner as I would of rather of liked to travel on 'the good bus'.

by the good bus Mon May 12, 2003 18:50

thats [email protected]

by the good bus - the good bus Mon May 12, 2003 17:34

thanks Chekov
We'll see what people think about staying for a bit but I reckon a lot of people either want to get back or want to do their own thing afterwards.

If anyone else wants added to our mailing list send us a mail to [email protected]

We'll be having a meeting this wednesday in Conways at 8 o clock so please come along, bring your opinions and ideas and enough for a pint
: )

by Chekov Mon May 12, 2003 17:15

Sadly I won't be able to go but one thing that struck me was that it might be a bad idea to stick around Evian afterwords if things go pear-shaped. I'd think that the atmosphere wouldn't be too good for relaxation! Maybe have a backup plan to relocate to a campsite elsewhere in France - you could even nip across to camp in the Italian alps if need be.