Joe Higgins MEP

Attacks on working people are mounting right across Europe. The so-called PIGS (Portugal, Ireland & Italy, Greece, Spain) countries have been to the forefront of these attacks. In Ireland, we have seen €7 billion of cutbacks, seriously damaging public services, including health and education. In Greece, there has been a 10% cut in wages and spending in the public sector, together with an increased retirement age, VAT increases and the freezing of pensions. Portugal has a plan to cut its deficit by €11bn over four years through a crisis tax on wages and cutbacks in public services. The Spanish Parliament has passed cutbacks worth €15bn on top of €50bn already agreed. Italy is due to implement "emergency-cutbacks" of €24 bn.

Related Links: Europe-Wide Week of Protest and Solidarity (Dublin)
European Days of Solidarity and Protest
http://www.joehiggins.eu/2010/05/report-from-guengl-meeting-european-days-of-solidarity-and-protest/
The initial letter (pdf file)
EU-Protest-Leaflet (pdf file)
March on June 26th as part of European Week of Protest & Solidarity

The deportees back on Irish soil

Today family, friends and supporters welcomed home the five Irish MV Rachel Corrie passengers who were this morning deported from Israel. The five – Denis Halliday, Mairead Maguire, Fiona Thompson, Derek Graham and Jenny Graham – were greeted in Dublin airport by cheers and hugs from the assembled crowd who were there to salute their bravery, as well as a large media presence.

Related Links: At Least 9 Internationals Killed As Israel Attacks And Hijacks Gaza Flotilla In International Waters
Israel to deport all 680 Flotilla passengers - Irishman reported 'roughed up' by interrogators
Gaza Flotilla: Press Conference with Shane Dillon today at 2pm, Central Hotel, Dublin
Freedom Flotilla: Irish on the way home (via Istanbul) / Audio of Shane Dillon / Dublin Demo on Sat
Freedom Flotilla: Fintan Lane speaks of his harrowing experience
Full Steam Ahead for MV Rachel Corriie
MV Rachel Corrie 80 Miles from Gaza
MV Rachel Corrie Boarded by Israeli Forces
Following Flotilla Massacre, Repression Continues Apace in the West Bank

At least 9 international human rights activists may have been killed and dozens more injured after Israeli commandos attacked the unarmed Gaza Freedom Flotilla early this morning in international waters, according to reports from the flotilla organisers, while Israeli military sources confirmed at least 9 dead. This attack is a clear breach of international law.

Related Links:
youtube footage from RT | BBC news | Times report | Cowen condems attack (independent) | Al Jazeera report
Earlier reports as story broke-
Israeli War Ships approaching Freedom Flotilla to Gaza in international Waters | Israeli warships harass Gaza Flotilla in International Waters | Israel forces attack Freedom Gaza flotilla - Activists critically injured
Previous related reports- Gaza Freedom Flotilla in final stages of trip | Waterford IPSC Thanks Local Builders, Trade Unionists, Individuals Who Donated To Gaza Aid Flotilla | Israel continues to threaten Flotilla despite Irish TDs promise to deliver letter to Shalit | Freedom Flotilla of Aid expected to reach Gaza within 48 hours despite threats from the Israeli Navy
Take action:
Express your disgust at Israel's behaviour to your TD here..
Protests on Monday 31st May 2010 in reaction to massacre-
Protest in Cork today at Israeli massacre
Belfast Protest in solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla
Galway demo at M&S
Ramallah Protest Against Massacre of Human Rights Activists in Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Update (Monday 31st 17:48) -
3 Irish safe after Israeli assault on Freedom Flotilla – 2 refuse deportation, still in detention

Two thousand took to the street to protest at the bank bailout.

Anger at the devastation of Ireland in the name of bailing out the Banks was articulated at the Right To Work Campaign protest at the Dail.

This is a short video from when the first forty or so went to the gates to be joined shortly by hundreds more.

Noel Murphy speaking at Solidarity Books

As once again Cork's mainstream trade unions declined to publicly celebrate the everlasting memorial day to working peoples' struggles worldwide, it falls to Solidarity Books/Workers Solidarity Movement Cork Branch and the Independent Workers Union to mark this most important of days. A day of public talks and a community meal was organised by the local branch of the WSM at Solidarity Books, which complemented excellently the annual May Day march through the city streets this evening organised as usual by the Independent Workers Union.

Related Links:
Derry's 1st May Day march in donkeys - quite a respectable turn out/> | Iran , May Day statement‏ on behalf of Workers | Douglas Street Community Celebrates may day | Athy's May Day Festival 2010 | Celebrate historic May Day in Dublin