Thousands march in solidarity with Rossport 5 Sunday last in Castlebar

Tuesday July 05, 2005 16:28

by Eve C

Thousands march in Castlebar in solidarity with the Rossport 5 and in opposition to Shell's proposed high pressure pipeline in Erris

An estimated 3000 people marched in Castlebar Sunday last in solidarity with the Rossport five, their families and community and in opposition to Shells proposed high pressure pipeline through Rossport, Erris.

The rally started around 3pm outside a hotel in Castlebar where a stage had been set up. Brid Mc Garry, one of the Rossport farmers and landowners who refused Shell access to their land addressed the crowd reading out a statement and list of demands on behalf of the jailed men’s families. Individual members of the different families then made addresses.

The march began around four and was led by members of the jailed farmer's families carrying letters reading "Free the Rossport 5". Chants of "free the Rossport 5" "shell to sea" and "people before profit" were shouted by the crowds. The march wound its way around the streets of Castlebar stopping at the 1798 monument and the sites connected with Michael Davitt where a comparison was drawn between past struggles and that of the Rossport residents against Shell.

The march ended up back at the same hotel where it had started and Brid McGarry again addressed the crowd before a number of other speakers made addresses including local campaigners Edward Moran, Maura Harrington, as well as Werner Blau Professor of Physics at Trinity College and a number of trade unionists and campaigners as well as local councillors and politicians. All who made an address called for the gas to be cleaned at sea in line with the demands of the Rossport families and community. The rally finished around 6:30.

Brid McGarry reads a statement on behlaf of the families of the Rossport 5