Latest News About The War:
M31: Up-to-date Irish and Global Reports M30: Up-to-date Irish and Global Reports M29: Up-to-date Irish and Global Reports M28: Up-to-date Irish and Global Reports ( 2 ) M27: Up-to-date Irish and Global Reports M26: Up-to-date Irish and Global Reports M22-M25: Shannon Peace Camp back up and running / UK Troops Call Themselves 'The Norman Front' / Nuin Dunlop, Catholic Worker, Released From Limerick Prison / 1000 Students/Staff Walk Out at UL M21: Reports from Limerick - Belfast - Dublin - Cork - Dun Laoghaire / Worldwide protest reports - Edinburgh / Pavements against war... / Fallout from Dail vote & protest (1) (2) 6.28 PM: So-called "Shock and Awe" bombing campaign begins (1) (2) M20: Day X Dublin: Over 3000 people at tonight's Anti-war demo - Northern Ireland Youth Oppose Oil War - Dail: Oireachtas members attacked - Blockade - Debate transcript - San Francisco: roving, mobile Black Blocs shut down Financial area - Belfast: Riot Police draw their batons on schoolchildren - Dublin: Anti War Picket at Top Oil Garage 3.17 AM / Bush announces start of war including attacks on "selective targets of military importance" speech 2.44 AM / Ari Fleischer: "The opening stages of the disarmament of Iraq have begun. The President will address the nation at 10.15pm (3.15 AM Irish)" Media Digest (add your links) M19: Day X Top Oil Protest in Dublin - North Day X School Walkouts ( 1 ) ( 2 ) - Clarifying Derry Protest Plans - Irish Anti War Movement Day X Call - Dail Eireann Fast and Vigil - Waterford Demonstration this Saturday - Leinster House Protest Called by Sinn Fein - Clonakilty Public Meeting - Sligo Demonstration Saturday 22nd - Shannon Court Appearances Thursday - more listings /add yours Also (off-site): Tralee Anti-War march - Skibereen Ongoing Candlelit vigil - Offaly Anti-War Details - Plan to Occupy Key Buildings Day X - Anti-war march in Cork this coming Saturday - Nenagh meeting Weds Night 19th / Vigil Thursday Night 20th	Other News & Opinion.... Iraq Body Count / TomPaine.com - TV Warfare / The Illusion of the Willing - Globalvision / Web Wall for Peace / 'Prisons within Prisons' - Letter from Limerick Prison / Boutros Boutros Ghali tells it as it is / Who Are 'The Coalition of the Willing?' - CounterPunch.org / 'Three decades ago ... US hawks conceived of a strategy for US control of the Persian Gulf's oil. ' - Mother Jones Magazine / 'Dispatch from Iraq' - Rabble.ca / 'Timeline: The road to war in Iraq' - CS Monitor / 'Can free-market globalization survive in a world governed by [one] overwhelming military power?' - William Greider Audio M24 Galway Michael D Higgins Nuria's Speech Obo's Song M23 Dublin ( 1 ) Americans Protest outside US Embassy Dublin / Enemy Combatant Radio (SF IMC) Videos M29: Dublin Anti-War Protest & March ( 1 ) ( 2 ) M23 Dublin ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) M21 Dublin ( 1 ) ( 2 ) Protest at FF TD Eamonn O Cuiv's Office / Candlelight songs (1) (2) / Dublin anti-war demo / Dail protest video and photos (1) - (2)	Photos M30: Shannon WarPort March ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) M29: Dublin Anti-War Protest & March ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) ( 7 ) ( 8 ) ( 9 ) ( 10 ) ( 11 ) ( 12 ) ( 13 ) ( 14 ) ( 15 ) M28: Belfast Shell Oil Blockade ( 1 ) ( 2 ) Dublin Critical Mass ( 1 ) ( 2 ) Sign on Dublin Quays: 'We Have The Blood Of Iraqi Children On Our Hands' ( 1 ) ( 2 ) M24 Dublin Catholic Workers Direct Action at Irish Aviation Authority ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) M22 March 22nd Protests: Dublin ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 )( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) ( 7 ) ( 8 ) ( 9 ) ( 10 ) ( 11 ) ( 12 ) Limerick ( 1 ) Cork ( 1 ) ( 2 ) Galway ( 1 ) M21 Dublin ( 1 ) ( 2 ) M20 DCU walkout at noon / Photos of Gardai and Dail sit-down / More Dail Sit Down Protest (1) (2) (3) (4 ) / Dublin City Council Workers Walk Out / US Embassy Protest (1) (2) / Galway, Day X / Top Oil Direct Action, Dublin / Northern Ireland Youth Oppose Oil War M19 ( 1 ) St Patrick's Day Protests: Dublin ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) / Galway ( 1 )

Whilst doing their bit for the global antiwar movement, the Irish West Papua campaigns are stepping up a gear for justice in forgotten West Papua. West Papua, rich in resources like Iraq, has been the victim of colonial greed for decades. First occupied by the Dutch, it was then invaded by the Indonesians in 60s as the UN watched on. Western consumerism's material demand has encouraged global mining giants such as BP and Freeport McMoran to exploit the country's resources, causing widespread human rights and environmental abuses. The U.S has also renewed funding to the Indonesian military despite the horrors of East Timor.

A recent Dail debate saw the Greens spokesperson for foreign affairs, John Gormley challenge the government's position on the discredited UN Act of Free Choice, which legitimised Indonesia's invasion. Up to 300,000 (approx 20%) have since died. The Minister, Mr Cowan claimed that there is no significant international support for reviewing the act.

However Irish activists intend to step up their pressure on the government and will continue to expose the human rights, corporate, environmental and cultural abuses in West Papua. This weekend will see Papuan tribesman Sem Karoba lead the One Big Tribe festival in Maynooth which seeks to raise awareness and encourage action for Papuan and global justice.

Also in attendance will be The Hothouse Flowers, Sampari Papuan dancers and speakers from the Catholic Worker movement and other activist groups.

One Big Tribe festival
West Papua Support Group
West Papua Action
Friends of People Close to Nature
New Internationalist - West Papua edition

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With anti-war activists deploying a wide range of tactics ( 1 ) ( 2 ), talk of March 17th as the latest deadline for Iraqi disarmament has seen calls for a St. Patrick's Day protest ( 2 ).

Ranging from suggestions of Leprechauns for Peace and cursing the shamrock, to wearing black on Patrick's Day, the idea has some official sanction in Ireland after Dublin City Council voted to fly white flags for peace along the Liffey over the Festival weekend.

In an attempt to influence American public opinion in advance of the March 17th deadline, a diverse group of Irish peace activists has issued a call for people around the world to wear or display white during St. Patrick's Day activities as a symbol of peace. The St. Patrick's Day Peace Group is also calling for the Irish peace process to be be used as a model for conflict resolution in the Iraqi crisis.

Celebrated in the United States since 1737, St. Patrick's Day has a profile extending well beyond the 40 million politically powerful Irish Americans and has long been used for political purposes.

Lá 'le Pádraig, lá i leith síochán

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Saturday was an eventful day at Shannon Airport with two protests and a strong Garda presence, protecting a newly-erected razor fence. Despite scaremongering, the Grassroots protest was peaceful, their attempt to take down the fence was unsuccessful, but participants promised to return ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 Video) ( 4 Audio) ( 5) ( 6) ( 7). There were ten arrests ( 2 Video) however accompanied by the usual over enthusiasm (Video).

The diverse IAWM protest passed off , without incident ( 2 ). Those arrested have since been released on bail, due to return on Friday March 7th. There were unconfirmed reports of a breach of runway security a few hours after the protests ended.

Post match analysis has led to some discussion and the usual arguments over the rights and wrongs of both protests. While both Shannon demonstrations were underway people also gathered in Dublin and in Donegal to voice their opposition to the war.

Video: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 )

Arrestees: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 )

Arguments: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) ( 7 ) ( 8 ) ( 9 ) ( 10 ) ( 11 )

Donegal

Audio

Photos ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 )

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After much debate ( 2 ) ( 3 ) the Grassroots Gathering has issued a statement clarifying the direct action that is being called for the coming Saturday, March 1st..

A mass trespass is planned, with two groups involved. Those following white flags will form a line, one deep, facing the fence. The line will walk towards the fence with arms linked and, according to the statement, "once we reach the fence we will attempt to pull it down" and "remain in the grass verge on the other side of the fence." Pink flags will be used to clearly identify those who support the action but do not wish to take part.

Buses are organised from a number of locations by both the Grassroots Network and the Irish Anti-War Movement, who are organising a parallel mass peaceful protest. Legal observers are also being organised ( 2 ). However the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA), the NGO Peace Alliance and AFRI have decided not to participate because of concerns about the direct action. The Greens, Sinn Féin and Labour have also not supported the action ( 2 ), although individual members of these parties will be attending. This comes amidst growing calls for direct action and civil disobedience ( 2 ) against the war from around the world. Meanwhile preparations for Saturday's action are underway and there are already reports of arrests at the airport, which US military aircraft continue to use in their buildup to war on Iraq.

Read the full Grassroots Network statement, action plan and more ( 1 ) ( 2 ) on the planned action.

Reports on previous mass trespass: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) and on International direct action ( 2 ) against the war.

Discussion: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) ( 7 ) ( 8 ) ( 9 )

Comment on this Feature | Tear the Fence Down (a Poem about Love)