shell to sea
dublin |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report 
Saturday December 02, 2006 23:28
by richard whelan
Protest outside Shell HQ today
Photo essay
Shell to Sea Protest in Dublin, Saturday December 2nd
images copyright 2006
Comments (12 of 12)
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We'll be back
It is only fair to examine the critical content of the Shell to Sea rally. It provided an opportunity for me to discover the attention the Constitution gives to the rights of the people and their right to protection. One might examine the oppression of rights for the people at Bellanaboy. For example, if we were obeying the Aarhus Convention, a refinery could not be exempt from planning permission.
By the Aarhus Covention there must be public consultation on every project that possibly impacts on the environment. Exclusion of select projects from that right offends the UN Aarhus Convention.
Overruling the right of the people to participate in such a consultation by Garda force is really an abomination of human rights already enshrined in our own Constitution.
All public servants have sworn on oath to protect and administer the Constitution. What is the way forward for the negotiation of protection for citizens outside the law courts? The power/decision makers have that responsibility.
The protection of the drinking water from Carrowmore Lake for the households of Erris within close proximity to the proposed refinery does not get a hearing if there is no planning process. Do the families have to live in a state of anxiety about their drinking water for the rest of their lives?
The livelihoods of the fisherman of Broadhaven Bay destined to receive the toxic pollutants of the refinery do not get a hearing if there is no planning process.
The treasured EU Habitat Special Status of areas of Erris to be affected by the proposed location of the refinery cannot be discussed if there is no planning process.
Worries about the human and animal respiratory effects of cold venting of gas cannot be resolved if there is no planning process.
Who has the power to decide on planning process or none?
Such a decision cannot be in the spirit of the rights of the Irish Constitution and specifically in the spirit of the UN Aarhus Convention.
... from yesterdays protest.
Stop Shell
In Your Face
Just Say No
Silence Would Be Treason
Skeleton Has A Gleam In His Eye
... from yesterday.
Guards - Reflecting?
Hey Afri
Even The Dogs On The Street Know It's A Bad Deal
Joe Knows!
I Know My Rights - Getting Them Is Another Thing
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One of those who made the trip from Erris
Bertie: 'Sure they've told me the whole project is safe, so they have. To be sure'
The march from Norwegian embassy to Shell offices
Brid ni Sheigin, who lives 70m from the proposed pipeline, addresses the crowd
Brid's three-month-old daughter
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Brid ni Sheighin outside Shell's front door
Brid delivers a Dublin Shell to Sea document ('15 Myths and Realities of the Corrib Gas Project')
Philip McGrath of Rossport: jailed in 2005
A Dubin garda shakes Philip's hand and says, "good luck to you". Erris people at the protest commented how odd it was for gardai to be civil towards them
Some Erris men share a joke with a garda
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Sign on nearby kiosk
Images include Labour Youth outside Independant HQ and outside Shell HQ.
(c)
Labour Youth raising the issue outside Independant Newspapers Head Office
Labour Youth raising the issue outside Independant Newspapers Head Office
Considering the appalling trash and censorship that is leaking out of this rag the "Independent" group of news/toilet papers, I think a picket on their offices was/IS a brilliant idea. I could not make it but I think more pickets should be placed here. I am a bit senior to join L Y but I will join future pickets at Indo offices. There is a specific piece of information AOR is very sensitive about, so much so that the story goes that he expunged archive material dating back ninety years . We could remind the public of this historical fact and how the tune does not change. The old wine (or oil) in new bottles!
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=...14970
Proud of this women teaching our children?
The photographs tell a very interesting story. The Rossport community through their representatives show an openness and dignity to all and sundry. They honour the human face of all and are not dehumanised by their experience. The exhibit no bitterness but remain convinced that their stance is firm. They remain inspired by the words of Ghandi and Martin Luther King on the homepage. And they will win!
I’m afraid; unless Shell to Sea come up with some real action on this issue, the whole campaign is doomed to failure.
The right wing Anglo politicians in this country, with their embedded cronies in the ultra right wing media, having already criminalised the struggle of our brothers and sisters in the North in the eyes of middle Ireland will do the same with Shell to sea.
The Progressive Democrats and “Irish” Independent media outlets (radio and print) as well as Shell should be included in any protest action.
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