Hunger strike Day 6

by Padraic - 1 of Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group Fri May 19, 2006 10:11

Large number of police (aprox 25) 2 garda cars and 3 paddy wagons now present at the cathedral.

State social workers apointed to look after the minors on hunger strike have been prevented from entering the building.

RAR have been in touch with the men inside the cathedral who do not know what is happening.

by Revolt Fri May 19, 2006 10:13

Approx 40 written messages of support delivered directly into the hands of one Hunger Striker.No word from him about any change in their stance .

All supporters now moved behind crash barriers.

Heavy police presence their now.

Can only assume they may be moved out against their will...

by Padraic - 1 of Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group Fri May 19, 2006 10:25

There are now aprox 9 paddy wagons present. Gardai from the GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau) are also on the scene.

by Fintan Lane Fri May 19, 2006 10:38

Everybody who can should try to get down to the cathedral now. It seems that that they intend to move in.

Have the church authorities agreed to this? If so, what has happened to the principle of 'sanctuary'?

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 10:50

Supporters are urged to gather at the Kevin Street entrance of St Patricks close....

Can people phone/text friends who may be free to get down asap...

by c. Fri May 19, 2006 10:59

One of IMC just called -

Both ends of Patricks close are closed off

15 journalists, 12 guards on patricks st. entrance

at kevin st., 10 journalists, 12 guards blocking entrance.

only people entering are the HSE medical team and the St Patricks school kids.

There are 7 big guarda vans and a blue mini bus parked at the Kevin Street entrance along with a few RAR and other supporters.

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 11:00

Seems the Police are preparing for action.. two public order cops with batons have been spotted around the Cathedral..

by Fintan Lane Fri May 19, 2006 11:00

Everybody who is free really needs to get down there now. Immediately!

In addition...(assuming events don't necessitate changes)

*A picket in solidarity with the Afghan hunger strikers will be held at 6pm this evening outside McDowell's clinic/office in the centre of Ranelagh. Please make every effort to attend. We need a good turnout.

*Consequently, the vigil at the 6.30pm outside the cathedral will not happen tonight. It will be daily again as of tomorrow evening.

*Remember: Rally outside the cathedral at 2pm on Saturday. A stall to promote this will be situated on Grafton Street between 12pm and 11.45pm. Please help out at the stall if you are in town at that time; the more people present, the better the impact.

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 11:05

60 cops are now present at the Cathedral.. all access is blocked..
More wagons are arriving
The Hunger Strikers inside are not aware of what is happening outside..
Police are even in the Park next to the Cathedral
report relayed by chris

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 11:16

No Paramedic access or ambulances this morning to the men all independent observers barred from the Cathedral
Around 100 more police are behind the wall at Kevin Street
looking more and more as a strong arm tactic
people urged to get down in support asap

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 11:30

HSE and gardai are moving into Cathedral solidarity needed.. please forward

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 11:39

large blue van has been moved to the front of entrance...

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Fri May 19, 2006 11:53

According to FM 106. "Asylum seekers were asleep"

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Fri May 19, 2006 11:56

Mr Michael McDowell, TD,
Minister for Justice
Dáil Éireann
Dublin
16 May 2006

Dear Minister

I write with urgency concerning the condition of the Afghanistan hunger strikers in St Patrick's Cathedral.

As you know they are seeking asylum in Ireland and have found themselves in desperation at your refusal to accept them here.

Desperation is the key word, not blackmail or bullying - words that trip too carelessly and inaccurately trip off the tongues of their critics.

Hunger-strike is a time honoured method of forcing your adversaries to sit up and take notice of the consequences their actions have had on the hunger-strikers. When a disagreement comes to this stage, especially in the case of a hunger and thirst strike, the time for point scoring and smart sound-bites is long over. There is need for a deep soul-searching and reflection on the consequences of both actions - those of the protestors and those of the people they are speaking to in this most desperate way. Apparently, the hunger-strikers have had their time of reflection and have made their brave but terrible decision. You have now to reflect deeply on the morality and consequences of letting your adversaries die.

This is not a time to answer media questions with the iron-clad answers of the Civil Service, - answers that may be thrown together in a couple of minutes from the clichés of the archives. Answers that may indeed satisfy a certain type of law and order voter but that will not stand up in the court of humanity. There is need for compassion in the heart of power. Compassion is not weakness. It is an inner strength that is more powerful than unbridled and uncontrolled power.

To be compassionate is to be human in the highest degree.

If and when you approach these men to listen to their desperate plea, it will be important that you do not forget your position of power over them. It will be important that you or your Department officials do not use that privilege and power to force them, because of their weak position, to accept a second-best "deal" that will resolve your own dilemma and that of your Immigration officials, but that will not solve the problems of the hunger-strikers or address in any meaningful way way the desperation of their plight

We cannot not forget the words you said on RTE on 18 May 2006 with regard to asylum seekers from Nigeria, about which I already wrote to you (10 January 2006, Submission to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on Ireland's report re Torture compliance):
You then said:
"If the Irish people had even the remotest idea of the nonsense that lies behind a huge amount of these bogus claims, the patience of a lot of people would be tried very hard. I would much prefer to have a system where I could have an interview at the airport, find out the cock-and-bull stories and [put them] on the next flight, but unfortunately the UN Convention requires me to go through due process in respect of all of these claims."

In any future negotiations with the hunger-strikers you would do well to put this position behind you..

The bogus claim has been repeated in many media outlets without having done research. It has been said also that Afghanistan is mostly safe. However, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Rights says:

"Insecurity remained a key feature in Afghanistan in 2005. Although the country continued to receive strong donor support, humanitarian aid and reconstruction work remained hampered by poor security, particularly in the south and east. Despite the deployment of some 20,000 US troops in the country, along with the presence of an international protection force, largely confined to the capital, 2005 was the bloodiest since the end of the Taliban in late 2001.
At least 1,600 people died in conflict-related violence last year. Ninety-one US troops died in combat and through accidents in 2005, more than double the total for the previous year.
Violence blamed on Taliban militia and other insurgent groups has left many southern and eastern parts of Afghanistan off-limits to aid workers, government officials and police.
In 2005, 31 aid workers were killed in different parts of the country, while during 2004 only 24 aid workers were killed, according to the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office (ANSO).
The plight of returned refugees remained a concern in 2005. A high proportion of the more than 3.5 million Afghans who have returned home from Pakistan and Iran since the collapse of the Taliban regime in late 2001 are suffering from lack of shelter, unemployment and poor medical facilities."

I appeal to you to handle this situation with honesty, compassion and a sense of fairness and to also allow these asylum seekers to stay and work in this country to build up its economy.

Thanking you

Sincerely

Justin Morahan

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 12:00

A lawyer engaged on the mens behalf has been refused admission to the Cathedral, he wasnt given any reason for this..

by Starstruck Fri May 19, 2006 12:13

The situation sounds very foreboding.
Anyone stuck at work like myself and who can't sneak out should use whatever facilities they have to contact those who may be able to get down there.
Fucking hell,McDowell knows no human decency.
Solidarity with all down there-

by D'other Fri May 19, 2006 12:17

Going on the back of radio reports, the church authorities issuing a statement saying they hoped the hunger strike would come to a safe end was interpretated as a signal that the state should intervene to stop it. Really this particular protest has highlighted quite a lot. The left really has a challenge ahead in uprooting the mythology around what asylum seekers recieve in state payments. And a more notable question is where the hell are all the poxy NGO types who are paid full time to engage with issues like this? Maybe next time some of them are shooting some cash into the arm of whatever ad agencies they engage with to draw up anti-racist education campaigns they'd do well to simply tackle the root myths around the asylum process instead of groaning with delirium about the ability to buy a good Chinese on Moore St and how diversity is the spice of life.

by Sympathetic to cause Fri May 19, 2006 12:19

The Gardai have cordoned off the Cathedral to remove the minors present and take them into care.

This does make sense. It was a gross oversight on the part of the protesting Afghanis to allow kids into this hunger strike.

I do feel sympathty for their cause but the whole exercise seems to be little thought-out and doomed to failure.

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 12:24

The lawyer has eventally gained access... two ambulance have arrived

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 12:31

we have just heard there are many guards outside and they are going to try and force us out

by c. Fri May 19, 2006 12:46

Phil Flynn, fresh from getting the trains back running has just arrived to offer himself as a mediator

by pat c Fri May 19, 2006 12:53

he was in the cathedral on wednesday night as well.

by sovietpop Fri May 19, 2006 13:03

There are now 150 gaurds at the police station next to the catherdral. One gaurd confirmed that the intention was to remove the afghans from the cathedral.

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 13:50

A camera person from RTE has assaulted a person covering events for Indymedia whilst 8 police including a sergeant watched on. They didnt intervene or take any action merely began to look away..

by Elaine via jon Fri May 19, 2006 13:54

.

10.30 a.m.

Kevin street entrance

Patrick street entrance

Rosanna in middle of media scrum

Plenty of Media Present

by editor - 1 of Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group Fri May 19, 2006 14:13

Commenting from certain government computers has been temporarily blocked due to persistent abuse of our editorial guidelines

by iosaf .:. ipsiphi Fri May 19, 2006 14:15

Good. I thought so. We don't need opinion polls or the bloodiest days in Afghani history to vindicate our positions. My counsel is that RAR pull back now & maintain a bit of telephone silence.

All others who have posted images here ought now- Share their video footage & photos - start your historic documentary.

The FF/PD government might have "declared a stalemate" earlier this week, but that wasn't the endgame. Nor is the endgame due today or even tomorrow. Keep an eye as close as you are allowed, phone the radios and set up a protest at the department of Justice. Keep the posters simple. "100+ afghani dead this week". "Deporting a blind man?".

Today is Islamic sabbath. Most of the European commercial newspapers are carrying academic and military expert analysis on the disaster of the Afghan missions. Between the failed government, the ISAF mission and the US mission, more NATO soldiers have been committed to the Afghani theatre than any other location this century. The essential services have failed, the police force has admitted to not having control of the majority of the state.

They expect you to panic - don't.

Our primary concern are the men, our campaign is to stop their deportation. Our next concern is to broaden the understanding of injustice of the FF/PD application of migration policy and the racism / inter-community(/faith/denominational) intolerance it has allowed take root in our society. As I always remind any assembly I sit in for a "symbolic occupation", the most important moment is the entry. Thereafter not much really happens except the reactions, publicity, very slow political costing. Then the next important thing is "how the occupation ends", which brings us to the most important of all :-
How we remember and record the whole event & our ability to use to political effect.

I think we all should thank the Anglican community of Saint Patrick's for their true & faithful support & hospitality this last, which has brought them into a head-on collision with the FF/PD state. I suggest quite a few are more than tad embarassed that a 1916 commemoration could boost the Taoiseach's poll ratings, and a 25th anniversary Hunger strike could boost that of FG or that their small & intrinsically civilised little community could have clocked up more column inches in Irish commercial news this week than at any stage in the last years. Today's psalm for the Anglican communion is number 107. I'd like you all to ponder the first verses of today's psalm.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy endures for ever.
Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe. He gathered them out of the lands; from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes; they found no way to a city where they might dwell.
They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits languished within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He put their feet on a straight path to go to a city where they might dwell.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy and the wonders he does for his children.
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Some sat in darkness and deep gloom, bound fast in misery and iron;" etc.., etc.., et cetera...

don't panic! We are only beginning. Now we let them put words in the peoples' mouths...

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 14:18

A group of School Students, friends of the young men inside have arrived.. They are leading chanting:
' What do we want.. Our Friends to Stay..
When do we want it.. NOW'
(txt from E)

by dunk Fri May 19, 2006 14:21

irish times, breaking news update 12:57:
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2006/0519/ind...54264

Gardaí surround church as hunger strike continues

12:57 Gardaí have been stationed around St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin as the hunger strike by 41 Afghan asylum seekers inside enters its sixth day. Some of the hunger strikers have threatened to kill themselves if any effort is made to remove them by force. The Health Service Executive today successfully applied to the High Court to have the seven minors among the hunger strikers made wards of court.

rte news
http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0519/asylum.html
Afghans threatening to kill themselves: report

by dunk Fri May 19, 2006 14:33 fuspey at yahoo dot co dot uk

"it’s a disgrace, it would make you ashamed to be an Irish citizen."
Fr. Joe McCullough - audio + full transcript (finally finished)

full transcript of discussion with catholic priest Fr. Joe McCullough after visiting the men night 3
on why the irish people who consider themselves "christian" have a duty to support these men, and where is Mc Dowells conscience.
length- 6.42
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/post_visit.wav

other audio:
Osman Hotak gives a brief summary of how things stand at 8.00pm (night 3)
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/main.wav

Tahir Khan, summary of day 4's briefing
11.42
interviewed by imc-ie volunteers, "we are the media"
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/imgp3183.wav

Fr. Joe McCullough- full transcript
D - You have just come out from visiting the men, can you just tell us how they are

Fr Joe. - Well, I was very moved by their determination and their courage, a few of them are obviously quite ill, I think seven of them have been to hospital today and come back, thankfully most of them are taking water, I just assured them as a catholic priest and a member of a missionary congregation here in Ireland that we were very much in solidarity with them, that we recognized their plea for justice. And that we hope that Mr. Mc Dowell, if he is a lawyer, and if he is a Christian, that he will show some humanity and compassion. He made a preposterous suggestion that they were just escaping trouble in Afghanistan, but who cased the trouble in Afghanistan and the situation in Afghanistan going back hundreds of years. it is ironic that there are 2 plaques in this cathedral to the British soldiers that died during the British invasion of Afghanistan. So the people in there who are fighting on their behalf, residents against racism, noticed the irony of that, but I was met with nothing but absolute warmth from these people, especially these young men, and they are very determined. So we hope now… It would make you ashamed to be an Irish citizen, we hope that the gobt and the dept of just will get sense, and even if there si some interim solution. 1 young man, hes living in a hostel, not able to work, not able to study, what kind of an existence is that, would mc d like an existence like that, and then given the history of this country too, and its emigration and all that’s been happening, it’s a disgrace

D - You’d think we’d remember having gone through what we went through

Fr Joe. - You think we would remember that, but no we forgot because there is a preoccupation with money and wealth and that’s all that occupying even the government, and a sense of justice, of humanity, irrespective of what peoples religious beliefs are, humanity, will the justice ministers not come up and meet these people.

D - Do you think that if more Irish people come out and support these men that they can put pressure on mc d to come up and meet them?

Fr Joe. - Absolutely, if the Irish people, they have a tradition of getting behind a just cause, this is a just cause, this is a truly just cause that these people have, so we hope that the Irish people will get behind it in the name of humanity and the name of god if we are a Christian nation, if were a Christian people. Why doesn’t Mr. McDowell come and meet these people, and see their sincerity, their warmth, their cause. Even the lawyers that are acting on behalf of residents against racism have said there has'nt been due process in relation to their appeals for asylum. So you know threes lots of injustice upon injustices, upon in, as I said it would make you ashamed to be an Irish citizen.

D - we all see how much Irish society has changed in last generation, you can see it turning into a more greedy me me country, but I’m hoping that people will come out, but do you think that they will or is it starting to split between people who support them and people who are against t them. Already we’ve had people saying "get the Taliban out" wave had young people coming up and just shouting in racist taunts at people who are here supporting the men.

Fr Joe. - I think that’s down to a degree of ignorance about hte whoile suggestion, ive seen a man here with a placarad saying "throw the taliban thugs out", but sure they are not. number 1 they are not taliban, number 2 they aree anything buyt thugs, if he met these young people. unfortunately a lot of this is driven by a secgtion of hte media gthat get behind the anti immigrant cause that stir it up for a minority, im convinced that its a minority, but you know it can be a dangerous thing too.

D - if people are made afraid i suppose youbve seen it all the way through history aND youvve seen teh results of that.

Fr Joe. - well you know what fear can do, it can do terrible things. sometimes it can lead ot extreme violence, all this abuse adn the killing of young people is what racism does.

D - going back to the men though, some of them stopped taking food and water before sunday evening and its now tuesday evening, adn its just a few hours ago if not an hour that they started to drink water again, aS Far as i know and that was a big step because without taking in the water its only 3 or 4 days before the bodily insides start to give up, they did meet with some people and htey have started taking the water but still it will take time to get bavck to, not a normal state, but a better state, where the insides have water again, but when you were there and yoiu saw them take water you saw that they were still definate about this, still absolutely firm in their fight to carry and to continue with this hunger strike.

Fr Joe. - yes, i spoke with their spokesperson and he said they are absolutely determined to see it through, even though that they are taking water, and thanhkfuly they are in small amounts, but he said they are absolutely determined, well i said that as a priest and as a christian that i hope nobody will die and that they will come off this hunger strike. but they said that they were determined because of hte cause that they have.

D - i met a lot of afghani people in pakistan and i saw how gentle they were, how humble htey were, but also how strong they were and how firm they were, and history has shown thenm as being a very strong gropu of peole

Fr Joe. - they are very resiliant

D - if they say they are doing this, they are doing this, there is no half measures with the afghanis

Fr Joe. - i would accept youd know, youve been and yoube met thenm in pakistan, ive been very moved by their warmth and their sincerity and id also say their resialiance,

D - ok, well thanks very much for your time and for your support for the men

Fr Joe. - your very welcome, thank you very much

by MichaelY - iawm Fri May 19, 2006 15:04

Just back from the Cathedral. The police presence is very obvious - we counted about 40-50 guards around, in and out of the barricaded street and another that many inside Kevin St. Station. Vans come in and go...there a couple of the Immigration lot with blacked out windows.... A solicitor and a person from RAR have been allowed in....
From talking to a couple of the hunger strikers, while the picture is still confusing, the following facts emerge:
1. The guys inside are very scared - we managed to get one of them to speak directly to the press - points made were
One: they are continuing their hunger strike, Two: some of the younger ones are saying they're going to resist any attempt to bring them out forcefully - extreme measures were mentioned, Three: they're repeating they're being pressurised by all quarters and Four they're delighted a few people are finally making the link between their situation/decision and the fact there is a war going on in their country - a war with Irish Government complicity.
2. It was again wonderful to see about fifteen young school kids coming out to the 12.30 vigil and state their solidarity. Loud and clear and the guys inside told us they could hear them. Well done to Socialist Youth......
3. The media have gone absolutely crazy....tens and tens of them
4 Just heard Bertie on RTE saying the issue of the hunger strikers was one of health...and that it should be resolved one way or the other.....
5. While the call to go and picket MMcD's clinic in Ranelagh tonight at 6.00 is still on, please keep your eyes and ears open - the situation may change.
6. I am standing right behind all the messages here stressing the importance of our support and our solidarity - honest questions about politics and ideas and ideologies will have to wait for a while. As for the others, those who just want to be the centre of attention and divert the focus from the key question...what can I say?

Solidarity to the hunger strikers

by Enthuastic kid Fri May 19, 2006 15:29

And I was listening to MWR Radio a short while ago and they said that the Garda presence had been substantially reduced from 40 to 4.

by pat c Fri May 19, 2006 15:29

i'm just back from cathedral. SY have still got a very vocal group chanting support for the hunger strikers. about 40 -50 supporters present in total. some locals arguing against the afghanis but seemed to be less racist than before, this time there are adults around as well though.

by sovietpop Fri May 19, 2006 15:31

It has just been reported that the lawyers and RAR representatives have been forced to leave the church, leaving the Afgans without support inside.

by + % Fri May 19, 2006 15:35

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4997332.stm
Whilst UTV reported the introduction of a UNHCR representative.
http://www.940news.com/nouvelles.php?cat=24&id=51865 Odd, the men just wanted to talk to Michael Mc Dowell who lives between Terenure and Roscommon. I wonder who brought in the UN?
http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=73422&pt=n
Oh and for those episcopalian christians amongst us! Someone just phoned up FOX TV in the last hour. Lordy!
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,196156,00.html
any anglikurns or Irish alien workers in Indiana?
http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=4925148&nav=0RYb
Canada :-
http://www.940news.com/nouvelles.php?cat=24&id=51865

must be strange for many foreign readers, the land of the dreary steeples renowned for religious hatred headlining with the worst week in Afghani history. Oh well, they'll start reading about it in all the other languages soon enough.

by old hand Fri May 19, 2006 15:40

I can only see this ending one way. If the Church authorities didnt want the Garda to remove the hunger strikers, then they wouldnt have allowed them through the door in the first place. Removing observers and lawyers isnt without reason... and I'm sure those vans arent there for decoration.

So much for Christian compassion.

by old hand Fri May 19, 2006 15:42

Just read on RTE that the Gardai have reportedly given the hunger strikers a 7pm deadline to end their protest inside the cathedral.

...or....?

by John Fri May 19, 2006 15:52

The Church doesn't wan't these asylum seekers in their sanctuary. They have considered the whole protest inappropriate and asked them to end their hunger strike.

by Aidan Fri May 19, 2006 15:55

it seems like the Christian Church has announced that there is no room at the Inn for those seeking asylum.

by nocoincidences Fri May 19, 2006 16:00

I wonder if the 7pm deadline has something to do with getting people to focus their attention on the cathedral and thus keeping them away from McDo-ill's Office.

by paul Fri May 19, 2006 16:04

we can do a bit of both, double the fun

by MichaelY - iawm Fri May 19, 2006 16:04

If the rumours of the 7pm deadline are true, it is absolutely essential that as many of us who care about this issue get to the Cathedral by 7pm at the latest. I am fully aware that there is a vigil planned for MMcD' clinic at 6pm in Ranelagh....those who want to go there should do so as that arrogant and igorant man is behind this decision.
BTW, though this is not the place for it, but the Net is awash with news that over 100 people were killed over the last couple of days in the southern provinces of Afghanistan as a result of armed fighting and bombings. This is the country MMcD referred to as "the place with a few disturbances"....
If there is a good crowd in the Cathedral it may dissuade, or it may delay, or it may cancel the decision of the State to put the boot in....if there is a good crowd we may all decide how it would be best to respond.

Solidarity with the hunger strikers

by chris - the unmanageables Fri May 19, 2006 16:08

All hands on deck. The situation this morning (I had to leave)., was one of management and isolation of the men inside the cathedral. There are indymedia and revolt on both access exits. There were at least sixty cops posted between the two exits. three or four behind the cathedral. between 9.30 and 11.30, there was no sign of a paramedic unit at the site. The emphasis was on the Garda presence. statements from RAR confirmed that HSE and immigration were inside. the medical monitors were provided by the State.We counted 13 paddy wagons, and saw two public order officers in soft baseball hats going down from Kevin Street. They had retractable night sticks on their belts, they have not been seen since. Two text reports from inside the cathedral confirmed a suicide attempt by a small group of minors, involving nooses and that the men had been meeting, they were unaware of the gardai presence outside until they were informed by phone, they said that they were frightened, as they were being forced to move against their will. I heard that the State has invoked the childcare act in relation to the minors. At around 11.30, the fire car appeared, it was the first non-garda vehicle on site, it was followed a few minutes later by two ambulances. The ambulances left via the Kevin Street exit. The solicitor for the men was denied access to the men on two occassions, he was from Byrne, Kelly, Corrigan. he was not given a reason for this denial. he gained access to the cathedral 15-20 minutes after his arrival. The whole operation has the mark of the dept of Justice wherein health care issues and moral support were subordinated to managing the situation. Two vans outside the Cathedral with blacked out windows are still there, no comment from authorities on the situation.

by chris - the unmanageables Fri May 19, 2006 16:22

Forty gardai on foot have entered the cathedral just now. No reports as to the medical situation of the men. having hunger -striked for six days, you would wonder why the authorities find it necessary to have such a large force there. We went down to the kevin Street yard this morning and saw a large body of gardai there, we were informed that we could not photograph them and asked to leave the vicinity, these gardai have been on standby in Kevin Street yard since 10.am.

by Updater Fri May 19, 2006 16:23

This post has been edited - Please do not copy and paste news reports wholesale from other websites. Contribute your own news, or alternatively if you feel it is of relevance, post it in the 'Other Press' section, or provide a hyperlink that people can follow. Indymedia is for the creation of independent and alternative news, not reproduction of reports from other sources. We encourage people to post their own experiences and updates here on the wire from St Patrick's Cathedral. Thanks - Kevin, 1 of IMC editorial.

by Emma-RAR Fri May 19, 2006 16:29

At the moment the situation at the cathedral is quite intense, we need as many people down there as possible the hunger strikers are very low on morale and it was said that the cops have given a deadline of 7pm for them to leave the cathedral some have threatened to harm themselves if that happens.
Also no members of RAR have been allowed to enter the cathedral although the guys have been asking for RAR to be allowed in since this morning Rosanna was in briefly but was asked to leave after an hour and nobody since has been in.

by io Fri May 19, 2006 16:40

What time does Mc Dowell go to the Roscommon holiday home for the weekend? I've just put a recap report on bcn indymedia, http://barcelona.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/258210 & translation of that report with any new developments goes up on italian, portuguese, french, german and greek language imc networks tonight. I repeat my suggestion that now is the time to go bring simple & effective plackards to the department of Justice, or even just walk down Grafton Street. The state is attempting to close this issue by the 9 o' clock news. If Father Reid wasn't so busy with the ETA peace process Bertie could have sent him to talk the hunger strikers & do his bit for ecumenical relations. The muslim community here at least sends prayers and support to the men and thanks to those who have helped them. The last week has been very emotional for them especially the Afghani and Pakistani amongst them. Over 6 million migrants from Afghanistan live in Pakistan of whom only 2 million have "papers". They live there because there country has been destroyed by war for decades and is not in any sense "a safe place to live".
Stroll down Grafton and Henry streets, let the lumpen voter know. If the Gardaí do what you expect them to do - Get to the hospitals immediately.

by anon Fri May 19, 2006 16:43

This sounds like when that family with an autistic? kid said on TV they couldn't cope without the help of the state, so the HSE turned round and forcefully removed the kid from them? Thats the HSE concern for you!

Even if the younger ones are removed to safety they will still be under threat of deportation for years.

by Updater Fri May 19, 2006 16:50

Church of Ireland representatives have asked the Afghan men on hunger strike at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin to leave the building.In a statement to the media, a spokesperson said that the request had been made in light of threats made by the men to take their own lives. The spokesperson said that threats of self-harm were not acceptable. The spokesperson refused to confirm whether or not they would be requesting gardaí to remove the men.
[continues]

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 17:01

Just back from Cathedral.. mood tense outside... the school across the road closed early today.. About 60 Cops have entered the Church..
Supporters are gathered at both entrances of the road
People are urgently encouraged to get down asap

by Fintan Lane - Anti-War Ireland Fri May 19, 2006 17:08

Can Residents Against Racism state on indymedia whether they want the McDowell picket to go ahead? Or should everybody be advised to head for the cathedral instead?

This is a call that can only be made by RAR, but it should be posted here soon. Word of mouth won't do it.

by jonny Fri May 19, 2006 17:10

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76062&comment_limit=0&c...50085

by Lee Fri May 19, 2006 17:12

So its St Pats then.
Did anyone see this coming?
Was there a plan made?

by Fintan Lane Fri May 19, 2006 17:13

Just spoke to Rosanna and she has confirmed that RAR are cancelling the McDowell picket.

Everybody to the cathedral asap!

by redjade Fri May 19, 2006 17:17

Archbishop of Dublin calls for amnesty for immigrants

but that was in 03/01/2006

The Church of Ireland: No Room at the Inn
http://indymedia.ie/article/76166

by iosaf Fri May 19, 2006 17:28

Sorry to be clever, but an indefinite thirst strike is a very clear intention of suicide. & I disagree with a former commentator on their thoughts of suicide, we organised the Reclaim the streets! london protests of the 1990s from a quaker meeting hall and an anglican church. I was organist of the anglican church, the last service I ever played for the C of E in 2000 was for a 22 year old suicide, the boy had done very well at school and become not only the first of his family, but the first on his South London street to go to university, to study dentistry. It was a difficult service but had not been the first time the vicar & his Hong Kongese wife had had to deal with such things & there was almost a set formula to do so. One month before they had contacted the Italian (catholic) family of a heroin overdose victim of the community we all knew ourselves to share. Everyone of us in desperation may be brought neurologically & naturally to harming ourselves or attempting suicide. We need treat on the causes of such desperation.
This has been a very long week. Mistakes have been made on all sides. But for the moment the Irish electorate will not have to choose amongst Afghani kids or a crippled blind man for their public representatives. & it will be a few years before an Iraqi school girl suspended for shaking the President's hand takes her place in public life as a young Nigerian boy deported in his uniform takes his place. They are "our kids" and guests of "our nation", but now we need to ensure that the record of what happened & is happening stays truthful -
Mc Dowell has done more than any public representative to stoke racism and intolerance in our society, ironically at the time Ireland's general prosperity & thus capacity to extend true solidarity to the victims of global poverty, war and oppression reached the highest levels.
He is not going to walk away from this either a strong or better man in the eyes of most, & for the first time he has seen the strength of those who his policies disgust.

Mc Dowell & Ahern are prepared to evict the Cathedral because the strikers exposed them & have damaged them politically. Not because they might "harm themselves". They were not being deported back to Afhganistan for their health's sake.

Looks like you're all going back to the Cathedral. Have the branch gone to the mosques yet?
Has Mc Dowell left the building for Roscommon? What are they talking about on Grafton street?
STAY CALM.

by anon Fri May 19, 2006 17:29

Osman on live on newstalk just now, 4:25 his words

They are getting no help from anyone , some of the men including the young ones went up on to a balcony last night and tied ropes around their necks, the Gardai/HSE came but now left they were not there to help but imtimidate, the young men are stilll on the balcony, they will continue with their protest.
He is aware of the ward of the court issue but it makes no difference to them.

by k - Revolt Video Collective Fri May 19, 2006 17:31

.

Roads Blocked

Ed Horgan and Spirasi member trying to get information

School Friends of some of the Young Men Inside

Huge Media interest

Residents Against Racism

No One is Illegal !

Inside Cathedral Grounds...

by rte Fri May 19, 2006 17:43

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0519/asylum.html

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 17:46

Word is filtering through that at least 10 men are on the balconys in the church with nooses ready..
Rosanna and Fr. Joe Joe McCullough are pleading with the Cops to let them in, to no avail as yet
Fr Joe has already stated "it’s a disgrace, it would make you ashamed to be an Irish citizen."
People need to get down there...

by c. Fri May 19, 2006 18:12

reports that in the last few minutes all health service and other personnel have been moved out of the church and only guards are being let in.

by Elaine Fri May 19, 2006 18:16

... at around 4pm this afternoon.

Blue Van Leaves - Empty So Far

Garda Surveillance?

Heading To The Cathedral - And It Ain't For Prayer

More On The Wall

Anti Racism Campaigner

by T.S. Eliot Fri May 19, 2006 18:16

"Clear the air! clean the sky! wash the wind! take stone from stone and wash them."

by redjade Fri May 19, 2006 18:53

Police move on protesters' refuge
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4997332.stm

and in Iran....

Afghan asylum seekers on hunger strike in Ireland
http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/06051636391821...7.htm

by anon Fri May 19, 2006 19:02

http://www.dublinblog.ie/2006/05/19/201/

Update: 5.16pm - Red Mum - There is a large group gathered outside, among them reporters and supporters of Residents against Racism as well as local people against the protest. A row broke out from those in the crowd from the local area and was played on the show, strong stuff. Among the comments were “Shift them off and let them work in their own bleedin country! “Get them f*cking out” “I have no compassion for them at all, thats my opinion” “They are looking for refuge, why are they doing it here, why don’t they go to a mosque”. Appparently most of the tape was too foul-mouthed to be broadcast.

by chris - the unmanageables Fri May 19, 2006 19:11

The situation has pared down. the transports and majority of the paddy wagons are gone. one remains at the small gate. the gardai at the barricades have reduced considerably in number. the focus has shifted to what is going on inside the cathedral. activists are making banners and holding them up to passing cars.
'Don't Let them Die' : good support from the public.
many activists gathered at the Kevin Street entrance. Media at the St Patrick's close entrance on Patrick Street.

Significant loitering and chat going on at the back of the cathedral amongst the blue-shirted ones.
This am, you couldn't spit for cops and transports. One wd not like to divine anything from this.

by situationalist Fri May 19, 2006 19:41

And when Mr John Carthy was shot by Gardai in Abbeylara in 2000, no-one had to speak Pashtu or Farsi or phone up the local imam before hand.
Dean Mac Carthy wants the church cleared. Simplest way of doing that it is to give the men what they want. Not one of us expects the historical landmarks of Ireland to be beseiged by asylum seekers, varying from under 18's to disabled types intent on thirst, hunger strikes or any other type of "suicidal" desperation, inspired by this last week's tragic, horrific, yet undoubtedly resolute and brave action.
Ireland doesn't really attract much of that type of hopeful migrant. Of course the media would be happy with one of these types of protests every other week, it makes really good telly, and we wouldn't have to suffer more Bono whining or Mary Harney endlessly going on about the hamburgers being linked to obesity.

How do you say "calm down please" in Farsi? Does it sound the same in Pashtu?
céad mile failte???

by pete Fri May 19, 2006 19:53

Not trying to be callous but is this the access the gardai need to rush, difficult.

http://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/12.htm

by iosaf Fri May 19, 2006 20:21

The organ is situated in an alcove on the north side, you access it by a little stairs just where the regimental flags are. It has a gate, pretty solid victorian thing. The console (keyboard) of the organ only allows enough space for four or five people and as not much clearance for jumping, the choir (not the singing people the architectural part of the cathedral) is lined with flags of various knighthoods and such types of ancient Ireland and each one has a helmet with a sharp spike. One of my teachers who taught me as much about the importance of justice and understanding privelage as music, used employ a doctor's screen when sitting at the console, as the drop seems a bit worse than it is and he suffered vertigo.

Of course now I know that these comments are between ourselves, the commerical media, the "trained garda negotiators" and the four walls of cyberspace, (hello! minister you tough little tiger! )
I can tell you that a jumper would have more clearance if they entered the instrument's tuning / maintainance doors and went up to the top via the ladders inside. That would give a jumper another 32 foot at least or 5 metres if we want to be all European. Of course if we want to be all European we ought to start thinking about the sort of society we've developed, its racism, its intolerance, & the obvious lack of education or ignorance of global affairs which allows some "ordinary people" think there are jobs in Afghanistan "to return to", and other "important government people" to pretend Afghanistan is "normal".

I note we've passed the deadline. No-one has noticed a shortish dyed red haired asian woman go in have they? I suppose that means they haven't "out-sourced" the translation thing. yet.

Remember swap your contact details, organise editing facilities, make your documentaries, perhaps better to wait for the next government before you apply for arts council funding.

The best way to get someone down out the loft - is to let them stay in the country.

by Revolt Video Fri May 19, 2006 20:32

An evergrowing crowd of supporters arriving, hard to tell how many as spread over two gates.
At least 150.
The mood is defiant.
Some of the men are still up on the balcony.
Almost 50 Police visible

by Afghan hunger strikers independent media support Fri May 19, 2006 20:44

photo just passed on from the men, they asked that it gets circulated around the world.

photo sent from phone of men inside now

by Aidan Fri May 19, 2006 22:58

might be an worth while to make the hunger strike updates into a front page story with continual updates similar to the G8 experience, a lot of people just browse the front stories. Thus, if at all possible, someone might take the initiative and gather the info from last couple of days and hours and make a block story suitable for a main news report and update. Just an idea for the editorial team.

by ('',) Fri May 19, 2006 23:00

I was at todays vigil between roughly 3.30pm and 9.30pm. During this time i saw a number of sick and distrubing things:

1) A large group shouting 'What do we want - all the foreigners out - when do we want it - now''
2) A number of teenagers shouting 'Paki Scum' and 'Fuck the Pakis''.
3) One fascist sieg heiling.
4) Counter Protesters throwing eggs and coins at the anti racists.
5) One lady saying that she 'wanted all the nig-nogs out'.
6) When Fintan Lane was advertising tommorrows demo at 2pm, and how everyone should go - one fascist nodding and saying that ''we'll all be here plus many more''.

ALL anti racists, anti facists have to attend tommorows demo!

2pm - Saint Patricks Cathederal.

by dunk Fri May 19, 2006 23:34

day 6- update from Afghan men
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/afghan_lads.wav
day 6 hunger strike update from Afghan men outside church, partly in pharsee with translations,
15mins

residents against racism update and background
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/rar_update_and_backg...d.wav
update from residents against racism, RAR, person who has been inside since the start and has had a continued direct link with the men, he is tired and this is a very emotional situation which is the last part of a long ongoing process to seek justice for these men.

10mins

the background to the whole build up of this
the faults with the irish asylum process
the situation in afghanistan if they are sent back

it is followed by a brief update, still not fully verified, from an afghan man that the minors have been offered asylum if they come off the strike

if anybody has the time and resourses to do transcripts of these, or the relevant parts it is most appreciated.

by anon Fri May 19, 2006 23:48

They were already not likely to have been under threat of removal before they were 18 anyway, so that is not an improvement. It just a another trick.

by k - Revolt Video Collective Sat May 20, 2006 00:18

.

Some of the Mens Supporters Gathering

Support the Afghan Hunger Strikers

Dont Let Them Die!

A Candle for Hope..

Dont Let Them Die !

by Margaret Sat May 20, 2006 01:15

This is the transcipt of the first half of the interview dunk did with the member of RAR who has been speaking to the men.

D: Duncan
R: RAR spokesperson

Report recorded by Dunk sometime around 8-9pm Day 6 Friday 19th May

D: Okay, so we’re outside St.Patrick’s Cathedral again, the men are still inside, it’s past 7 o’clock and it looked like there was supposed to be a raid by the police to take the men. There were reports that ten of the Afghani men were threatening to commit suicide if that happened and apparently they were ready with nooses and stuff like that. So I’m here with someone who has been in over the last few days. So can you tell us a bit about the situation at the moment, it’s now 8 or 9 o’ clock?

R: It’s now around 9 o’ clock and basically it doesn’t look like they’ll be any action to remove the men tonight and the basis for that is because it’s a Friday night and the Gardai will be doing their drunk patrol around town. We’ve heard runours from a few journalists that it’s not going to happen until some time in the morning and we’ve also heard from someone who has contacted the Gardai that it wouldn’t be until 4 o’clock in the morning. so whatever time it’s going to happen it’ll happen late at night rather than now.

D: So you’re convinced that there are going to storm and try to pull out the men?

R: Yeah, well I mean I don’t think they’ll storm..….the media have reported that the men have barricaded themselves in which is nonsense. The Gardai have had a presence since the very beginning. Basically the situation at the moment is that the men are back on thirst strike since about 6 o’clock today. At the same time they were telling us that they were saying they don’t want to talk to anyone any more, they are just preparing themselves for death. Now their state of mind is such that we really, really fear them. We believed them since the start that they were more than prepared to starve and dehydrate themselves to death. We remain even more convinced, especially considering that they’ve been on this hunger strike for 6 days, 3 of which they’ve been on a thirst strike. Their state of mind, it’s very very worrying. Their determination added to their state of mind just convinces us that there will be deaths.

D: Okay, I definitely feel that as well from talking with all the people that have come out, they’re saying that they will definitely do it. They are absolutely committed to this. The argument that we’re hearing is that the men have taken this drastic measure because they fell that if they’re sent back to Afghanistan they will face torture and then death. For people who don’t understand the background and what’s going on, can you tell us a bit about the actual process, the asylum seeking process, and what these men have gone through and how they’ve ended up taking such drastic measures?

R: Okay, to directly quote one of the men from inside, they’ve described the asylum
system as emotional and psychological torture. Most of them have not gone through the full procedures of the asylum system, what they have done, they’ve been left in limbo, they’ve held protests….

D: This is for a number of years?

R: Some of them have been here for a number of years, some are only here recently but they are all here in solidarity with each other. They are all here because they know what the situation is like in Afghanistan and they are all here because they have been brutalized by the asylum system. They have campaigned since December. They have had protests in December. They contact the Department of Justice, they’ve contacted government TDs, they’ve contacted Michael McDowell. This has been a process that has been ongoing for a quite a few months. They didn’t come to this decision on the spur of the moment. They came to this decision to go on hunger and thirst strike because they felt that they were being ignored and because they felt that they had no other choice. They are adamant that they would rather die in Ireland, in a church of God, rather go home to Afghanistan and be tortured and then killed. They are not members of the Taliban. They are not Islamic fundamentalists. The Taliban are still active fighting in Afghanistan, if they were Taliban they would be there. If they were Islamic fundamentalists they would not step inside a Christian Church. It is utter nonsense what has been put out there by some of the media. The worry is that some of their personal stories haven’t some out because the men are wary of putting their personal stories out in the media and word getting back to Afghanistan and worried that there would be repercussions for people they know, or their clan, or their local area.

by dunk Sat May 20, 2006 01:32

day 6 - indepth description of present immigration policy
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/asylum_policy.wav
6 mins +
residents against racism people give an indepth description of the faults with the present immigration policy of the irish government.
how it works, its faults and where the hunger strikers were at before they started their hunger and thirst strike

finishes with rte 11.30 headlines and mc dowels continued inaction

much thanks to margeret to transcript, again if anyone can transcribe this much appreciation.

by dunk Sun May 21, 2006 21:36

im making a start on it, all other help needed and appreciated, thanks to previous assists, email me with bits if you want so hopefully, if others help, we are all not doing the same work,