Weekend Of Resistance

by Elaine Sun Sep 25, 2005 04:23

.

Colm Poses - So That's How The Professionals Do It - Too Much Work!

M.D. Films The Action

Fintan And Bertie

Maire's Peaceful Protest

Mark Has A Snazzy New Banner

by Elaine Sun Sep 25, 2005 04:34

While we waited we took the opportunity to greet old friends and new. People mingled, leaflets were handed out, numbers exchanged, contacts made. Part of the enjoyment of protests, whether they are viewed as successful or not in retrospect, is the social aspect. Meeting with like minded individuals sustains us all and builds a sense of community.

Tim 'As Gaeilge'

They're Getting Younger

The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse? Or Just Its Mounted Escort?

Paula Flies The Flag While Laurence Gives It Some Stick

Code Pink Block

by Elaine Sun Sep 25, 2005 04:39

Don't get me started...

Don't Forget The Other Occupation - More Blood On Our Hands

Another Victim Of Man's Inhumanity

No Bullshit Banner - Straight To The Point

Most Beautiful Banner - Hand Embroidered Too

War IS Terror

by Elaine Sun Sep 25, 2005 04:46

.

Hey Ed, Don't Look Now But I Think You're Being Followed

George Bush And A Horses Ass, Can You Tell The Difference?

I'll Make It Easy For You, Bush Is The One In The Middle

Telling It Like It Is

A Bridge Too Far Or Not Far Enough?

by Elaine Sun Sep 25, 2005 04:57

But that didn't stop the speeches or the music, or the wind and rain.

Nice Threads

The Banner Can Withstand The Wind But The Table Is Having Problems

Polish Contingent

Ed Horgan Addresses The Crowd

Glenda Speaks Out

by Elaine Sun Sep 25, 2005 05:08

and our pitch was flooded, a few of us gathered (on a grassy knoll ) for a peace-picnic. We then held a minutes silence to remember the dead. As we were a multi faith / no faith group we each offered a prayer, spoke aloud an intention or wish, or simply commented on the futility of war.

Peace Picnic - Rembering The Dead

The Next Generation

by Fintan Lane Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:46

My guess is between 250 and 300, excluding the gardai. An excellent turnout in difficult circumstances, I thought. The general feeling I got was that many of those present were glad to be back!

Meanwhile, out on the dual carriageway by Bunratty, three of the Pitstop Ploughshares (Deirdre Clancy, Ciaron O'Reilly and Damien Moran) held a vigil - all three remain excluded from the area around Shannon airport. There were plenty of honks of support from passing cars, though perhaps in future more anti-war activists could drop by such vigils to extend their support because a vigil on a busy motorway is a very lonely station. I've been there, done that, so I speak from experience. Those excluded from Shannon for anti-war activity are entitled to our solidarity.

The Pitstop Ploughshares Five are back on trial in Dublin on 24 October and people should make an extra-special effort to lend support as that goes on. They could end up in prison for their protest against the presence of the US war machine in Ireland.

by Michael Y - IAWM Sun Sep 25, 2005 13:24

To Elaine and Fintan and MD and ED and the birthday friend and all of the participants in the Shannon march and the bands that played and the two bands that came but could not play because of the rain - to all without exception

A big massive huge WELL DONE!

by anon Sun Sep 25, 2005 14:07

Story doing the rounds in the US at the mo..

SAN DIEGO -- A branch of the U.S. Navy secretly contracted a 33-plane fleet that included two Gulfstream jets reportedly used to fly terror suspects to countries known to practice torture, documents show.

At least 10 U.S. aviation companies were issued classified contracts in 2001 and 2002 by the obscure Navy Engineering Logistics Office for the "occasional airlift of USN [Navy] cargo worldwide," according to Defense Department documents the Associated Press obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

...

The Navy contracts involve more planes than previously reported -- other news outlets totaled 26 planes; the AP identified 33 planes.

by Ciaron - Ploughshares/Catholic Worker (personal capacity) Sun Sep 25, 2005 17:21 087 918 4552

Couldn't believe it had been so long since we had been to Limerick. Not since Halloween '04 when the Shannon Banshees had made their way into Shannon to read out the names of the dead. Couldn't believe there hadn't been a protest numbering in the hundreds at Shannon all year up to this point. But that's where we're at with the war in Ireland and escalating Irish complicity in the war.

Also significant that the war and Shannon were not a visible/audio issue at the Reclaim the Streets in
Dublin or at the larger Sinn Fein march for Irish
unity the Saturday. After all it's an oil war
sending the RTS generation to kill and be killed and one would think it would be of significance to
nationalists to have 25,000 invading foreign troops
transiting through ones country every month. One has to ask where sustained anti-war resistance will come from in Ireland if not the nationalists, rad youth culture, trade unionists who have sold out on Shannon or from the churches keeping their heads low.

So Friday's night meeting was significant (at least
Special Branch stationed outside thought so...those boys have been with us since raiding the Limerick B&B I woke up in the first morning since being released form Limerick Prison March '03). What happens in Limerick is significant to whether there will emerge an Irish anti-war movement. Our Friday night gathering
included ourselves the Ploughshares awaiting retrial at the Four Courts on Oct 24th, the latest crew to bring nonviolent resistance to Shannon the Guatanamo banner droppers who acted last week, a high school student who recently experienced the authoritarian clampdown from school authorities for handing out anti-war leaflets outside his school and the long haul plane spotters Tim & Ed. And Sr. Majella who gave
early impetus to the Rossport campaign from her long experiences with Shell in Nigeria.

We were nourished with first hand reports from these ongoing nonviolent resistance efforts and honest to acknowledge the dire political context we are operating in (war gets worse, fewer actively opposing Irish complicity). There was some healthy debate with members of the SP present over the "protest mass movement v communities (affinity groups) of NV resistance" approaches.

The problem with the mass movement approach from left parties, who have largely now abandoned the anti-war issue as a priority to organise around...is that the "mass movement" not the war is the priority and leads to a certain amount of campaign surfing and ambulance chasing. The prioritise the mas movement and what they perceive as the openings (eg. Rossport, the war '03, Capitalist G8 jamborees) are largely defined by the capitalist press. So things rarely go beyond the predictable short term protest response that the state and media expect, organise for and contain. The protest movement does not take the initiative.

It seemed that this weekend's manifestation at Shannon was called in response to initiatives in DC (cops say 100,000), LA (cops-50,000), London (straight media-10,000) for Sept 24th. That the IAWM chose to go to Shannon was an improvement, but a focus that is largely too little too late. Shannon should have always been the focus in Ireland and especially after the Feb.15 '03 100,000 march). Also there should have been a movement that was about mutuality and solidarity rather than the predictable stack and counter-stack games to control IAWM that would have prioritised a continued presence at Shannon and organising in Limerick. But the initiatives of the '03 peace camp & Shannon peace house recieved little if any financial support and solidarity from the IAWM. So 2 1/2 years later the peace movement has little infrastructure in Limerick/Shannon. As one person said "two guys in the bushes with binoculars".

The reality is that the war escalates and expands,
U.S. troop levels through Shannon have doubled in the past 12 months. The Guatanmao Express landing in Shannon has been largely exposed by the two guys in the bushes with the binocs (see Harry Brown's excellent article in this week's Village on this and the broader media censorship in Ireland around the Shannon issue).

The state is presently coming down heavy on the nvda radicals hoping they are isolated from the broader more moderate protest movement (see the St. Patricks Four trial in New York this week www.stpatricksfour.org, see the detention and deportation of a U.S. nonviolence trainer with no criminal record form Australia this past month, see the Pit Stop Ploughshares returnoing for trial at the Four Courts on Oct 24th. www.peaceontrial.com).

We need a movement based on nonviolent resistance to the war machine and solidarity with our people before the courts and in jails and military brigs. People need to do what they can....and so after the pub and a sleep we were off to stand vigil at Banratty Catle given our 5 mile ban bail condition (downsized from the entire Count of Clare at the end of '03).

We stood by the side of the road raising the issue of the U.S. military presence in Shannon as 100 vehicles every 5 minutes responses varied from supportive honks and peace signs to abusive gestures and a lot of apathy in between.....largely people know but they don't want to know and they are just learning to live with the war and hope it doesn't come home to Shannon or Dublin. As it has come home to NYC, London, Madrid and OZ tourists in Bali.

So as the day ended we gathered with friends who had made it to Shannon to build a shrine and remember the dead....seems like a good rhythm an evening of reflection, a day of action and a debrief ready to act again against the war and some point.

by pain in my ear Sun Sep 25, 2005 22:14

The Shannon demo was pathetic. The gardai lay down the rules and the march complied. Apart from juvenile hissing there was no challenge to the corraling of the demo. In fact the location of the corral was announced in advance by the organisers. It was a paper selling posturing fest and extremely disempowering. Unfortunately totally unsuprising.

by W Sun Sep 25, 2005 22:30 dissentireland at yahoo dot com

Ciaron, would love to chat with you about how rts didnt mention the war etc.

I would feel that capitalism is the totality and that war and lack of public space are two symtoms - war of course being the more pressing issue - but when we shut down a street and have some fun that doesnt mean that we can't show up in shannon and get the job done another time.

Solidarity!

by Michael Sun Sep 25, 2005 23:45

So I take it you weren't there to buy newspapers and follow orders? Good. Did you make some contacts though? Did you take the time to look around the area a little, see how best to get to the airport (on another day) without being noticed? Did you maybe exchange numbers with a few heads, and agree to meet again and prepare+do an action together?

The police don't just stand around at these demos. Every time we turn up they're also gathering information, improving their act, and so on... :-)

by iosaf Sun Sep 25, 2005 23:55

its of a couple of greys in London (mature people not aliens) it was taken by concerned photography, they've a website by the same name.

Some day, peace will come to all our lands, and old folks will be seen in political T-shirts all the time.

bless 'em.
(they just registered their domain name)
http://concernedphotography.net/
{some day they'll be old}

oh yes it was all a generational thing, photo from London's anti War day yesterday by Concerned photography.

by Ciaron - CW/PSP (personal capacity) Mon Sep 26, 2005 00:21 087 918 4552

W, appreciated your self criticism on the RTS post. That CW hadn't been down in Shannon since last November was also self crtiicism.

To me global capitalism is an international armed robbery. The war machine is used daily (even when U.S. B-52's aren't dropping napalm or British Trident aren't launching nukes) as a gun is used in most armed robberies- pointed but not fired. The daily grind of low intensity conflict or the total tv of hi tech overkill secures the system. No arms, no robbery and that's why Catholc Worker & Ploughshares focusses it resistance on the military. Hopefully we focus and organise on the war and then offer lateral solidarity with other intiatives taken by other folks prioritisng other good stuff.

Public space - and the extreme lack of it in Dublin - is a significant issue. The loss of the park opposite Brogans on Dame St. where homeless, employed, tourists could gather is significant and criminal.

I think it would have been good to have an anti-war element to RTS last Saturday on the day of international mobilsation, maybe a better thang than folks heading to Shannon to be stuck in a framework laid down by Gardai & IAWM. And libertarians choose their own time..maybe with an element of surprise.... to head down to Shannon. In short, and for want of a better analogy, I don't think heading to Shannon was obligatory last Saturday.

(As I type this the GAA have just co-opted the Green Day anti war track "September Ends..." as their tv final theme song...co-option abounds!)

I guess you've got to keep your politics out front and there are plenty of issues related to the streets, lack of public transport/public space, ongoing oil wars, environment, greenhouse effect......thought their was a lack of this on May Day in terms of banners, (free) literature for the kidz who are new to this.

Did the Critical Mass on Thursday, lots of good people and spirit....we are pretty underesourced and the times/political environment are getting worse and folks more fearful. So important to live and learn, critique and self critique, offer solidarity and not neat up on ourselves too much.
Solidarity

by Kev Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:39

Ciaran, while I understand your desire to be nice to the rts crew, you really are just feeding the self-importance of self-indulgent bullshit. The rts event was all about a bunch of kids and people who haven't a scintilla of serious politics out to have a lark and mucho fun. The political jabber from them is an attempt to puff up a meaningless event.

The initial idea behind rts was great - in Dublin, however, it has been adopted and adapted by middle class kids (and various others) as an excuse for a 'mad' street party. The politics are zero. It's all about drinking cider, annoying the law, and being 'mad'. Bullshit. Why don't they help out homeless groups and maybe take up a few hours in a shelter? Why don't they put together some sort of consistent political campaign around car-use? Cos it's not what they're about. They just want to have a good time. Fine, but I wish they stop pretending it's more than that.

by Tony - Non SWP, Radical Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:35

I'm interested in your comments 'Pain in my ear' and I think we should be challenging the coralling etc. I think we should discuss this and work on ideas to make the demos more effective, more inspiring and more empowering. Bolder. Not sure if this is the place we should discuss it, or is it? Any suggestions?

by Michael Mon Sep 26, 2005 11:56

I get the feeling that the Irish peace movement looks something like this: At the one end you have people who want to build mass/popular organisations with thousands and thousands of members. So as not to jeapordize that effort, the mass/popular organisers don't want to risk arrest, prison, etc.

Then at the other extreme there are those who want to try and do whatever they can in autonomous direct action affinity groups.

Perhaps the best might be a mix of the two.

by JJ Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:17

that's what Anti-War Ireland was meant to be! Never happended, though, cos it seems that Irish antiwar activists find it impossible to work together. If only it were otherwise!

The mass/popular 'organisers' in the IAWM/SWP have lost activists confidence because it's assumed (maybe wrongly) that the objective is just to build the SWP. Oh hang on, there behaviour towards other anti-war activists is probably enough in itself to piss people off. Why weren't Mary Kelly or the Pitstop Ploughshares invited to speak at the Saturday demo, for example?

by P Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:58

There’s a third group: those who don’t feel comfortable in the former and don’t have access to the latter. Of course there’s a need for secrecy and circumspection with regard to direct action groups, but this can easily slide into clique-iness. Rather than slip into a comfort zone with a group of buddies, perhaps such groups should be on the look out for potential members? A culture of recruitment/initiation/growth of direct action could be useful.

by Michael R. Mon Sep 26, 2005 13:45

Great report Elaine! Thanks a million for that. Unfortunately missed it myself. Really pi**ed off at that.

Pity the numbers could not have been a bit bigger and that the weather was so bad. But weather is obviously always going to be a lottery. We have had plenty of days in glorious sunshine as well. I know a huge amount of work was put in by many people for several months in the build up to this protest. Unfortunately its hard to get the ordinary Irish citizen motivated enough to make the trip to Shannon. It just seems that mainly only the hard core activists are prepared to do that now.

But I believe protests like this MUST take place. What is the alternative? To do nothing? Only real alternative, as far as I can see, is to hold one in Dublin instead or both.

The protest definitely got media coverage though I am not too sure of the extent. Anyone know the extent of the media coverage received?

I totally agree with your comments too that:-

"While we waited we took the opportunity to greet old friends and new. People mingled, leaflets were handed out, numbers exchanged, contacts made. Part of the enjoyment of protests, whether they are viewed as successful or not in retrospect, is the social aspect. Meeting with like minded individuals sustains us all and builds a sense of community."

To do NOTHING is unsuccessful. The moment you do something success is begun. It is the EXTENT of success that is the question.

One must also remember that this protest did not just take place over just one day. This event was brought to the attention of the public over several months of activism on the streets. All of this activism keeps the issue alive and spreads information amongst the people. It also helps to get some of the public involved in on-going activism. So the protest must seen in context of all that went on before it, the actual day itself, and then the knock on effects from all this which are ultimately infinite.

A huge well done to all those involved and particularly those who put a fierce amount of effort in, in preperation for this event and to those who have had the courage and conviction to put their lives on the line by getting in trouble with the law.

We CANNOT forget the innocent, dying people of Iraq, and elsewhere.

by Shannon Mon Sep 26, 2005 14:13

I loved these photos of "Bush." They really show him at his best.

As an American voter, I am often fustrated by the lack of leadership in this poor excuse we have for a president. It seems to me that the only thing he has been worried about is ousting Sadam Husain. I've always wondered if he started that war as a gift for his father, considering he screwed things up with Desert Storm, or if our current Bush went in to try to one-up his father. Either way you look at it, the excuse they used was built on lies and deciete. This current "war on terror" is a travesty.

by dunk Mon Sep 26, 2005 14:30

while some arguments are correct - kids just play to real polit thinking action
its a start
and as someone involved over the years
id offer
4 days of car free stuff- and a whole lot more - http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=72157&condense_comments=false#comment122485
post
not sure who this kev is, as a few around but we are working with the homeless, we are adressing public space, we are adressing "culture" and the rest
come and talk in real world and engage in dialogue, offer your stuff @ moore st

still though, getting up and dancing on the streets is a fine thing to do
more of it
fair play to all who did
remember berlin 89
sparks happen:
89 150 people
99 - 1.5 million

the trespass when bush came was very enjoyable
perhaps more could use the direct action tactic?
black blanek report - street theatre after trespass
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=65270#comment80308
and more
http://www.geocities.com/fuspey/FUSPEY_2004_2.html

solidarity with all who are doing stuff
FOR
fun, sustainable, peaceful, existence for all

over and out from a clown

hope, imagination and play are our weapons to make the world more beautiful for all

by Michael R. Mon Sep 26, 2005 16:05

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2005/0926/456616718HM3SHANNON.html

(page 3 I think - not a massive report but something and put together fairly well by the journalist, I think)

Anti-war rally told that action against use of Shannon by US troops needed
Gordon Deegan
26/09/2005

Anti-war activists have been told that protesting against the use of Shannon by the US military is no longer enough, that action must now be taken.

Addressing a rally near Shannon airport on Saturday, Ed Horgan of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (Pana) said: "Over the coming months and years if necessary, we must renew our efforts to remove the US military out of Shannon. We must do this by mass demonstrations if these are possible, or by small groups and even individual demonstrations and peace actions."

He added: "We are here to promote peace by peaceful means, but standing idly and silently by while innocent people are being murdered and tortured in our name is not good enough.

"We must first of all speak out the truth, but more importantly we must take action to stop this evil. Protesting is no longer enough. Bertie Ahern once said that the 100,000 people who marched in Dublin in February 2003 were supporting his stand on the Iraq war. That was a lie and he said it once, but once too often.

"This weekend the IRA are decommissioning their weapons along the Border counties and getting lots of media attention for doing this. It's high time some of the weapons passing through Shannon airport were also decommissioned," Mr Horgan said.

In response to the rally organised by Pana, the Irish Anti-War Movement and the Peace Alliance, 120 gardaí were deployed to ensure the protest did not get within 2 km of the terminal.

A Garda spokesman said the numbers at the protest were 200, while organisers claimed the numbers were closer to 500.

Insp Tom Kennedy said: "The protest was very peaceful, passed off without incident and the airport functioned as normal."

Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan told the crowd: "The Labour Party supports this protest, and the use of Shannon by the US military should be discontinued. It is a breach of our neutrality to continue to allow US troops to use Shannon. The Government has actively encouraged the military use of Shannon."

She said it was a sad situation that for the airport to break even, Shannon had to facilitate the movement of US troops. "The region shouldn't be dependent on the troops using the airport to avoid Shannon losing money."

The most recent figures from the Shannon Airport Authority show that almost as many US troops have passed through Shannon during the first six months of this year as during the whole of 2004.

From January to June, 153,381 troops stopped over at Shannon compared to the 158,549 troops who passed through last year.

The troop traffic is expected to have generated €18 million in income from the US government to date this year and the business has helped the airport to avoid losses.

© The Irish Times

by stunned Mon Sep 26, 2005 17:13

"The troop traffic is expected to have generated €18 million in income from the US government to date this year"

€18 million???

Thats all?? Is this serious?

Any self-respecting prostitute bargins a little before the act.

by Michael Mon Sep 26, 2005 17:23

As Tim Hourigan and others have said many times before on these pages -- serious journalists shouldn't simply accept the official figures for Shannon's military use. Once you count how much it costs to secure the airport for use as an American airbase, plus the costs related to foreign military overflights, you may find that there's very little if anything left of that $18m.

You will recall that the government were caught lying about the numbers of foreign troops passing through Shannon, the level of gun-running there, the use of other Irish airfields, and their commitment to the UN Charter and laws of nations.

by R.Isible Mon Sep 26, 2005 20:09

The threat (once implicit) and now made explicit over the weekend in Irish Independent articles is that US businesses will "de-invest" in Ireland if "anti-Americanism" continues. If Ireland truly is an entrepot used by the US to dump goods into the EU then the nervousness of the business class becomes more explainable.

by SP4 Mon Sep 26, 2005 21:16 Binghamton, New York, USA

(9/26/05 -- BINGHAMTON, NY) Members of the St. Patrick's Four, their families, friends and legal team were grateful to learn that the jury, after over seven hours of deliberation, had found the peace activists not guilty of the most serious charge, conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States.

"The decision to acquit on the conspiracy charge, a felony, is a huge victory, given the narrow parameters within which the four could present their defense, and given the restrictions on deliberations. This is a major setback in the government's efforts to criminalize dissent," said Bill Quigley, acclaimed public interest lawyer and law professor at Loyola University School of Law, who has been acting as legal advisor to the defendants.

The four were convicted on lesser charges, damage to property and trespassing, both misdemeanors which carry possible sentences of one year and six months respectively.

"Regardless of the penalties, we will continue to call for justice for the Iraqi people and our troops," stated Daniel Burns, one of the four defendants. "We know our principled dissent now represents the majority of the public, and we're inspired by the jury's decision to refuse the government's attempt at intimidation."

The decision did not surprise the defendants, given Senior U.S. District Judge Hon. Thomas J. McAvoy forbade them to present to the jury the legal context, particularly international treaties and the US Constitution, which would have made possible and reasonable an acquittal on all charges.

"Our actions were lawful, however, we were repeatedly denied the chance to explain why," stated Teresa Grady, one of the defendants. "We were not allowed to mention Article VI, paragraph four of the Constitution, which says that the treaties of the United States are the supreme law of the land. We were not allowed to explain our actions in the context of the Nuremberg Principles, which declare that citizens can be held responsible for crimes of their government. Nor could we explain how this war was a violation of the UN Charter. The jury made a wise choice with what they had. It's unfortunate, however, that they were denied the full truth."

In a previous trial in Tompkins County Court in April 2004, the defendants were able to fully explain their action in this broader legal context, and nine of twelve jurors voted to acquit.

"The real crime, as we've always stated, is that our government conspired against the American people and lied us into an illegal and immoral war," said Peter DeMott, a member of the St. Patrick's Four. "The task is now upon us all to better understand the criminality of our government's aggression and, as citizens, to act accordingly to demand that our government adheres to international law."

Clare Grady, another co-defendant, said, "Our work is just beginning. We all must continue to speak on behalf of the victims of this criminal war -- the innocent Iraqi civilians, US servicemembers, and indeed all of humanity. Whether it's Crawford or Binghamton or Washington or beyond, our dissent will not be silenced. Truth, justice, and peace will prevail."

Sentencing has been scheduled for late January of next year. And though three of the four defendants were held in contempt, Judge McAvoy said that he'd make a decision on the penalties in due course.

by Elaine Mon Sep 26, 2005 23:32

Response to hidden comment - IMC Ed We went from cool to bloody freezing today as we stood outside the GPO in Dublin, on our regular weekly vigil against the war. The clouds burst at 4 just as our vigil was due to start. We hung in there for an hour but I called it a day when I lost the sensation in my fingers.

Mary Poppins Solidarity Block

Asia (From Poland) Does Her Bit For Irish Neutrality

Shelter From The Storm

And The Rain Came Down

by Karen Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:16

Are the pit stop plough shares and mary kelly not banned from a certain mile radius of the airport JJ? That is why psps were holding a vigil on the outskirts. they have often spoke at other events and mary kelly spoke at the start of the last shannon demo before it left the town centre.

by Anon Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:32

Of course Mary Kelly and the Pitstop Ploughshares are banned from Shannon but that doesn't mean that representatives can't speak on their behalf. There was zero mention of the forthcoming Pitstop Ploughshares during the rally last Saturday. And it's happening in late October!

The IAWM (and the SWP, its master) has NEVER made a serious effort to build support for those before the courts. Mary Kelly was treated like she was some sort of looney. Ciaron O'Reilly likewise has never been asked to speak at IAWM-organised events.

Ask Mary Kelly what she thinks of the IAWM/SWP and how they treated her when she most needed support. Lipservice and little else.The same is happening to the Pitstop Ploughshares. The IAWM/SWP only weighs in when they are shamed into it. They have never actively supported anybody who faced the courts for anti-war activity. Instead, they privately slag off such people, describing them in whispered tones as nutters, fanatics or, horror of horrors, individualists with no understanding of their fictional 'mass movement'!!

by Mary Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:50

I think the Pitstop Ploughshares 5 trial begins on 24 October. That's where anti-war activists energy should be for the foreseeable future in my opinion. And I agree that the IAWM(SWP) needs to get serious about supporting not just those before the courts but the actions themselves.

by sean Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:36

Have the IAWM said whether they support, or not, the actions at Shannon by people like Mary Kelly?

by Michael Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:47

And the SP? What's their story/position on all of this? The Pitstop Ploughshares are amazing, dedicated people and need consistent, enthusiastic, inventive and active support from all of us.

by Anon Tue Sep 27, 2005 13:10

The SWP/IAWM is constantly being slagged off for not supporting those before the courts (sometimes, I guess, by mischievious SP members) but nobody ever asks what support the Socialist Party of Sinn Fein have given or offered. What's the story with that?

by Observant Tue Sep 27, 2005 13:17

The SP and Sinn Fein don't claim to run the antiwar movement. The SWP does.

by Mary Kelly Tue Sep 27, 2005 16:37

It would have enormously helped the Direct Action section of the fragile growing movement and supporters if Ciaron O Reilly and Damien Moran had agreed to come to mediated meetings arranged to deal with the slander and bad blood they created with myself, and the deliberate slandering of another very hardworking activist.
Fair play to 2 of the pitstop ploughshare women for trying to clean up a very dirty situation.

The SWP/IAWM have done huge damage, but
there was already a massive ugly scene going on amongst direct activists, that people have been too cowardly to come to the table, air differences, and speak face to face.

What an actionfull, hopeful, vibrant, troublemaking, legal savvy , ass kicking resistence movement it could be if all the different strands could act in some kind of harmony together, reclaim ALL airports and put the government collaborators and their local lackeys on trial and doing time.

Not that I will have any free time to attend, but I 'd like to know will there be attempts to ban me from the upcoming trial of PSP/CW ers?

by Ciaron - PSP (personal capacity) Tue Sep 27, 2005 21:23

To respond to the inaccurate rant of the previous
posting would only service the state, four weeks
before our trial. Our prosecutor checks indy & googles us regularly. If folks are interested in a response to the accusations raised, feel free to stop me in the street and ask!

A general rule of thumb -
Defendants facing years in prison are trying to
operate in a hi stress context. If they believe you
to be a person who maybe an undercover cop, whose behavior will alienate the jury or are simply unnerving them at their trial and they ask you to leave the vicinity of their trial, you should leave.

I have been asked in such situations and have left. It may bruise the ego, but if its all about ego and not offering solidarity maybe one should have not been there in the first place. On both occasions I found places away from the court to offer solidarity and express opposition to the war.

On the bright side I think this stream celebrates organising in affinity groups (even with minimal resources & numbers) to continue to oppose Irish involvement in this war. Whether the people you choose to work with come from a faith community, punk scene or your neghborhood going through this in some sense of community will sustain us in opposing the long war ahead.

by Damien - PSP (Personal Capacity) Wed Sep 28, 2005 00:31

This is certainly not the forum for giving a small part of a long story. These counter-allegations about allegations and slander I allegedly alleged are as far from the truth as Banagher is from the Allegheny Mountains.

This issue (or non-issue) certainly ain't at the fore of my priority list to addrerss as my perspective is not that which is stated nor implied by mk.
It is inevitable that activist inter-relationships or lack thereof have many different potential perspecitves, subjective truths and beliefs, etc. and sometimes it's best just to let sleeping dogs lie.

This subject has unneccessarily arisen out of context, is a distraction to the positive reflections on this thread.
It is 4 weeks before our Four Court's trial and plays right into the wig (ooops, forgot he doesn't wear one) of the google-friendly/indy-surfing junior counsel for the prosecution in our case.

It beggars belief why you seem to be trying to undermine what little support we have when you yourself have undergone the dramas and pressures involved in a circuit court trial.

For the record and it's the leaast I could have done, during the second mk trial I provided solidarity from Ennis town centre.

During our ongoing weekly vigils I have provided many people interested in providing support for mk's trial(s) with the appropriate number/website/details for them to follow up.

I was the only person outside the Dail doing a solidarity vigil for Mk during her first trial while the rain lashed down from the heavens.

During one benefit we agreed that all money be giving to MK fund despite the initlal offer of the organisers to split the funds to help both defences with witness costs, etc.

Re. Mary's fellow activist, I have said repetitively (to him and to others who heard the allegation) that I do not believe he is what was alleged. If this is a little vague for some not in the know, then it should and will remain so.
If you are aware of the situation which arose over a year ago re. this activist, then you know what my position is.

The Catholic Worker 'Good Friday Potato Planters' and 'Halloween Banshees', 'The Boat People', and 'Cosantoiri Siochana Banner-Droppers', Tim, Ed, et al. have done excellent direct actionism since the two disarmament actions at Shannon, with minimal resources, and to suggest the Shannon direct action movement has been affected by differences between us, which you unsurprisingly attribute wholesale to myself and C., frankly gives you and us far too much credit about our influneces on nvda at Shannon.

Anyhow, I personally wish you the best of luck with your High Court appeal Mary.

We don't have to share the same altar, but at least let's not undermine each other on this public forum.

From a personal perspective, if the trial helps your appeal proceedings in some way then it won't bother me to see you in the public gallery.

As you are well aware, it's your choice whether to invest time in attending or not.
And of course, it is a public trial afterall so you are free to go where you like (at least I know you won't do what one guy did in our last trial, who walked straight up to the front of the courtroom during proceedings and unitentionally but potentially fucking us over in the eyes of the jury as a pitstop for eccentrics).

And even if we did 'ban' you (which is impossible), I doubt you'd pay much attention to it (as would be you're right to freely assemble at a public event).

Best Wishes

by Mary Kelly Wed Sep 28, 2005 00:46

There's no telling what the state and it's supporters would do to try and undermine the ploughshares trial campaign this month. Whether that's really Mary Kelly who posted above or not I dunno. Whether I'm really Mary Kelly you dunno (but you might guess).

Point is -- the ploughshares trial, and the antiwar campaigning leading up to, during, and following the trial (no matter what the verdict!) is too important to waste.

by Joe SWP Thu Sep 29, 2005 05:34

IAWM organised rally.

by Podser - not SWP Thu Sep 29, 2005 11:35

Ciaron O'Reilly was asked to speak at a small meeting in Dundalk back in 2003. Impressive! But has he ever been asked to speak at a rally/march in Dublin or Shannon by IAWM/SWP?

If memory serves me rightly, Brendan Bulter of the non-existent NGO Peace Alliance was allowed to veto the appearance of Mary K and the Catholic Workers from the big demo on February 15th 2003. The IAWM/SWP allowed all sorts of oportunists on the stage but nobody who was facing the courts for damaging US killing machines at Shannon.

Brendan Butler also spoke at the recent demo in Shannon, and [Insult removed by IMC Editor] publicly condemned Mary Kelly and the Pitstop Ploughshares when they were arrested. Who is this Brendan Butler and why are the IAWM/SWP always giving him preference over real activists who face possible prison?

by Ciaron Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:59

For the record. I was not asked to speak in Dundalk on release from prison n earl '03.

Afri was asked to send a speaker and much to the IAWM surprise they sent me! I later ended up getting an invite from alocal group to speak in Tullamore before the Bush visit and got several phone calls en tranist instructing me what I was to say, could or couldn't say.

Our 300 strong MacBush march (during his visit) was later to be blockaded by bussed in IAWM bureaucrats on the road to Dromoland Castle. An attempt that failed, they then deployed megaphone clones and tried to drown out our street thetare that was covered by CNN & New York Times etc.

The political parties have generally seen the war as a marketing opportunity and media profile lifter. Very few were serious about resisting Irish participation in the war. Thier priority was to control and exploit the movement - not to offer solidarity to nonviolent resistance efforts. The war and Shannon have since lost its media sex appeal, so the resisters are largely left isolated before the courts.

The SWP line on our resistance is that it is no more deserving of support than school kids who bunked off from school for the day. So they don't recognise and obligation to support us. To come to such a conclusion, one assumes, these must be people who never had the initiative to bunk off school, spend any time in the principals office or the comparitative experience of being before the courts and do some prison time for resistance to the warmaking state.

Censorship & opportunism has been significant to the demise of a vibrant anti-war movement in Ireland.. Police infiltration is always a given.

by Ciaron O'Reilly - Pit Stop Ploughshares Thu Sep 29, 2005 14:29 ploughsharesireland at yahoo dot ie c/- 518 South Circular Rd. Rialto, Dublin 8 IRELAND 087 918 4552

In terms of practical support. Our need is at the moment is to accomodate the international peace activists travelling to Dublin for our trial starting Oct 24th. People will need to be accomodated from Sunday evening Oct 23rd.

At our last trial in March, 80 activists travelled from U.S., England, Scotland, Sweden, Netherlands, Austrlalia to express solidarity at our trial. We expect half that number (40) this time. They will bring sleeping mats and bags.

*If you can offer accomodation ( floor space is all we are looking) for however lomg to any of these people we would be extremely grateful.

Please email [email protected]. or phone/text 087 918 4552 - stating how many you can take for how long (even one for one night is worth doing!) and on what dates you can take them!

*Benefit Solidarity Gigs
WSM are organising a benefit gig for us
Music & Chat
Friday Oct 6th. 8.30pm.
Teachers Club

*Ploughshares are holding a benefit gig
Thursday Oct 13th. 8pm
Lower Deck Pub, Portobello
€5 or donation

*Galway Against the War are looking into organising a benefit gig during the trial in Galway

*If anyone would like to organise a benefit gig (punk music, pub quiz etc)..to mobilise support from their own scenes that would very much appreciated!

*We will walk single file to court each day of the trial starting Monday morning Oct 24th. Gathering to vigil against the war from 8.30am, walking at 9.15 am

*We will be running a series of evenings during the trial exploring issues of the war and Irish involvement. Getting flyers from us to distribute to publicise these events would be very helpful.

Donations to cover costs of the trial always appreciated.
Make cheques payable to "Ploughshares Defence Fund"
518 South Circular Rd.
Rialto
Dublin 8
IRELAND

by Joe Thu Sep 29, 2005 14:33

Ciaran the right time and venue are as below (maybe you got it confused with the one we did last year around the same time I think)

---
Solidarity Benefit for the CW5
Thursday 5th October, 8pm
Liberty Bell
Francis st
(5 euro or 3 un/low waged)

DJ's etc

by John Thu Sep 29, 2005 16:43

Ciaron, how arrogant can you be to describe what many school kids did against the war as : "school kids who bunked off from school for the day...people who never had the initiative to bunk off school, spend any time in the principals office or the comparitative experience of being before the courts and do some prison time for resistance to the warmaking state..."
It smacks of a who's tougher attitude which Ciaron you give off quite a lot, when you speak. Now its the turn of school kids...how tough!

by Zenman Thu Sep 29, 2005 16:56

This is an old trick that the SWP/IAWM have been at for quite some time - obliquely inferring that direct action is just people being macho. Also inferring that direct action advocates are elitists with no respect for those who don't engage in acts of direct action or civil disobedience.

It's a cheap trick aimed at undermining those who believe that the antiwar movement needs to go beyond mere marches and speeches from RBB and his favoured few.

by teachers pet Thu Sep 29, 2005 17:07

you obviously dont know Ciaron , if you did his arrogance would come as no suprise.....sadly.

by Ciaron - Ploughshares/Catholic Worker (personal capacity) Thu Sep 29, 2005 17:29 087 918 4552

The IAWM didn't offer any support to the school kidz either! Its instructive to note more opposition to the war starting came out off the high schools than from the campuses.

My previous posting was a reflection on a rhetorical device deployed to abandon folks facing the courts. It was first used by the SWP head honcho at the IAWM AGM '03 straight after I spoke from the floor.

I too was a resister at high school and was suspended and expelled for protesting the Queen's silver jubilee visit to OZ. I have since been before the courts many times and imprisoned. So from personal experience I know the difference. There is a difference! You would have had to lead a pretty careful, housebroken life not to realise that!

The lie that Brendan Butler held them back from mentioning MK & PSP from the stage on Feb 15th takes a lot of naievity to fly

It was more about marginalising the NVDA politics they found threatening to their leadership. We never had aspirations to displace them, weren't interested sorry to busy resisting the war to play undergraduate politics.

Resistance is not about being tough. It's about being courageous and the more solidarity you have, the less isolated you are and less courageous you have to be.

The IAWM leadership are incredibly moderate and proved to be the first line of policing of the movement. They lead retreat after retreat..from the first occupation at Shannon after the fence came down in '02, at the blockade of the Dail when the bombs started to fall and at the face off with the RUC at the Bush visit to the north...retreat and declare victory and a bit of macho aerobics/virtual militancy where they sit down and run during a march.

The politics maybe of the authoritarian left, but the tactics are always moderate. There is no mutuality with other groups resisting the war.....see refusal to mention/censorship of the 1300 who gathered when Bush landed at Shannon.

Its all a bit irrelevant now that their movement has died and the organisation has been wound down to chase other ambulances....but worth remembering next time around.

Meanwhile the war goes on for the people of Iraq, the U.S. cannon fodder beng shipped through Shannon and folks like ourselves who have seriously resisted the war and are before the courts.

What we need now is solidarity in our 3 week run in to trial, in the years ahead should we be incarcerated and further nonviolent resistance to Irish involvement in the war.

Dear John sorry to scare you. My hunch is you would find Aussies and folks from the occupied counties all a bit tough. Maybe they are just direct. So my cross-cultural advice to you is cut the crap and don't piss on them and tell them its raining.

by teachers pet Thu Sep 29, 2005 18:41

that should say aggressive and arrogant ! Ciaron your constant referal to your aussie roots as an excuse for your aggression and arrogance is really tedious,both stem exclusively from your massive yet fragile ego.

by teachers pet Thu Sep 29, 2005 18:41

that should say aggressive and arrogant ! Ciaron your constant referal to your aussie roots as an excuse for your aggression and arrogance is really tedious,both stem exclusively from your massive yet fragile ego.

by Bruce Thu Sep 29, 2005 19:44

Aussies been occupied!!! When where!...

by Ciaron - PSP/DCW Thu Sep 29, 2005 21:28

Bruce - read the last sentence real slow - you'll spot an AND between the Aussie & occupied Irish. Then take a long (pretty short in OZ standards) look 90miles north and you'll see the occupied Irish.

Teachers pet - your anonmyous pschobabble from cyberspace is an attempt to not tackle the politics of the original post but to personalise it - you failed.
.
Irish diaspora and occcupied Irish have had a formation you have missed out on in the free state. Formation in reponse to ethnic prejudice. One needs to do some cultural deconstruction to understand the passivity & resignation here in the face of ongoing Irish complicity in the war. Also the lack of solidarity in the post-Celtic tiger period.

What you perceive as arrogance and aggression may be merely your class and cultural bias. It is merely a directness that is shared with the Irish of the occupied territories to the north. And is also known to exist amongst the working clas and homeless.

We all come from somewhere Teachers Pet...you come from the safety of the anonymity of cyberspace. My advice is stay there - if you are so fragile to perceive aggression and arrogance when folks nonviolently resist the state. And refuse to march in step, marshalled into an anti-war response that was designed to be ineffectual.

It would be refreshing if someone would tackle the politics of the post. If you want to make it personal, I'll see you on the Rossport march on Saturday for further character critique, cultural deconstruction or psycho-analysis.

by infomorph Fri Sep 30, 2005 01:53

Ciaron you have been known to use the anonimity of cyberspace yourself have you not? Remember ? How dare you refer to Mary Kellys earlier comment as "an inaccurate rant" (or is that your general aussie macho attitude towards any comments comming from a woman?)If you are so concerned about " the google-friendly/indy-surfing junior counsel for the prosecution in our case" you should temper your responses,but it`s too late for that now isnt it.
You constantly make judgements on those posting comments ,class , cultural bias,and most offensive a presumption of an individuals stance on the war and other issues.You personalise every comment you make so dont blame people for responding likewise.I`m glad you mention the Rossport five ,maybe you could take their example and pursue your case with dignity.

by Ciaron Fri Sep 30, 2005 13:30

If it sounds like a rant, if its punctuated like a rant...chances are it's a rant. If it's inaccurate it's inaccurate. My position was to never criticise Mary Kelly publicly while she was before the courts. If she returned the favour that would have some integrity.

The difference between you and me is that you and the others are anonymous. There is no accountability in anonymity.

If you wish to walk away from five people facing your courts for nonviolently resisting the war, walk. Just don't justify it with anonymopus personal attacks where I have little right of reply.

The nature of your post is an expression of cowardice, you have little in common with the Rossport 5 who we could be joining soon.

These personal attacks fro cyberspace service an Irish state that thrives on a culture of cynicism, corruption and collective mediocrity. If you want to make a courageous attack me, you know where to find me.

by Mary Kelly Fri Sep 30, 2005 18:57

The only previous post by me on this thread that Ciaron O Reilly called a rant, is titled Clash of axes. The one titled" Mary" and "Impersonation" by MK were not written by me. Sadly dirty tactics are being used again,and are always used to cloud this issue I refer to. Very boring and unproductive.

by Ciaron - Ploughshares Sat Oct 01, 2005 12:42 087 918 4552

Well after that slight diversion into personal attacks and a sense of general relief that its not my personality that is on trial on October 24th - but 5 of us on the charge of $US 2.5million disarmament to a U.S. Navy War Plane bound for Iraq - we are back to celebrating affinity group organising against Irish participation in the war. .

This stream is a celebration of what one can do in small affinity groups over the long haul.

The Pit Stop Ploughshares are now 3 weeks from trial at the Four Courts. Friends will be joining us in Dublin from Scotland, England, U.S., Japan, Sweden, Netherlands & Australia to say no to the war. There will be folks in town who have fought in Iraq, who have been arrested trying to stop the war and who have lived in Iraq in solidarity with those under fire.

We invite you to accompany us in the last stretch (hopefully) of our near 3 year journey to trial over the next weeks.

*Ongoing
Vigil Against U.S. military using Shannon
every Monday 4pm-6pm
GPO, O'Connell St.


*Benefit Solidarity Gigs
WSM are organising a benefit gig for us
Music & Chat
Thursday Oct 5ththur 8.00pm.
Teachers Club
€5/ low/unwaged €3
DJ's etc

*Ploughshares are holding a benefit gig
Thursday Oct 13th. 8pm
Lower Deck Pub, Portobello
€5 or donation

*Galway Against the War are looking into organising a benefit gig during the trial in Galway

*If anyone would like to organise a benefit gig (punk music, pub quiz etc)..to mobilise support from their own scenes that would very much appreciated!

*We will walk single file to court each day of the trial starting Monday morning Oct 24th. Gathering to vigil against the war from 8.30am, walking at 9.15 am

*We will be running a series of evenings during the trial exploring issues of the war and Irish involvement. Getting flyers from us to distribute to publicise these events would be very helpful.

*keep updated through our website
www.peaceontrial.com

Donations to cover costs of the trial always appreciated.
Make cheques payable to "Ploughshares Defence Fund"
518 South Circular Rd.
Rialto
Dublin 8
IRELAND

*Offers to hostinternational peace activists (floor space) make contact with specific dates for space
[email protected]
Ph. 087 918 4552

by Update Sun Oct 02, 2005 12:32

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051002/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

by glenda cimino Sun Oct 02, 2005 15:40

'Anon' [why not stand over your comments by giving your name?] in my mind recalls the hallmarks of the 'agent provocateur' who deliberately by gossip and misinformation tries to split and divide the broad antiwar movement on the basis of disparaging different tactics and misrepresenting other people's views and intentions, also suggesting internal enemies in the movement when we all need to focus on the war itself.
Nonetheless, i will respond that in my experience there has been direct as well as tacit support of people before the courts in various ways. I wonder who, how and where 'anon' has overhead 'slagging off' any antiwar activists 'privately.' I personally have neither done so privately or publicly nor been a party to any conversation with IAWM or SWP members where this has happened. MUTUAL RESPECT is essential. Arrogance and namecalling surely belongs to the Blair and Bush camps.

by glenda cimino Sun Oct 02, 2005 15:54

not to ignore everything else: but regarding public space- what is the story behind the loss of the lovely little park on Dame Street? I never saw any planning application notices but one day just noticed the female statues were gone and hoarding was around a building site. Did anyone appeal the proposal, if so what happened? Is any part of that public space to be replaced? Is there anything concerned citizens can do at this point? It is outrageous that public parks can be destroyed in this manner.
while i am complaining, does anyone know who designed and who approved the uncomfortable sloped narrow benches in bus stop shelters -how much came out of the civic purse for this antisocial and back damaging design? They are an insult to people waiting for buses who might appreciate a moment's comfort, not to mention to the city's poor.

by Gregor Kerr - WSM - 1st May branch Sun Oct 02, 2005 17:37 kerrgregor at yahoo dot co dot uk

The WSM-organised benefit referred to by Ciaron above is on
THURSDAY 6TH OCTOBER in THE LIBERTY BELL, THOMAS STREET at 8:00pm. Admission €5/€3