Wicked Work Weekend in Mayo

mayo | environment | news report Friday May 11, 2012 18:09 by j debender - Rossport Solidarity Camp Still a field in Aughoose, next to the church (between Bellanaboy and Pullathomas) 085.114.1170

Stopping Shell, moving camp & dragging pallets!

Friday 4th May Day of Solidarity successfully stopped all Shell haulage for the day. Once folks were satisfied that Shell wasn't going to try and do any haulage, they went to the Rossport Solidarity Camp to start taking down structures and move the camp.

The new summer camp with the kitchen marquee and a few other structures

Over the weekend all but the kitchen structure was taken down, hundreds of pallets were moved to the new field, and the kitchen marquee was put up in the new field. The summer camp is located two fields away from the winter field, next to the Aughoose church. There is one large communal sleeping space, but most people will be sleeping in tents for the summer. If you are visiting the camp bring a tent if you have one, but don't let it stop you coming if you don't!

There were about 20 people on camp for the weekend, and aside from a bit of wind on friday we lucked out with the weather. The tunes were pumpin', and people really stepped up to get the work done! On Saturday we had a visit from a group of students who, with the help of a local farmer and his tractor, moved hundreds of pallets to the new field. Nighttime was relaxing with campfires and music, and everyone seemed in high spirits. Many hands, light work! The bank holiday Monday some pixies went down to Shell's forestry compound and undid a bit of Shell's work.

Now the camp is building up for the annual June gathering, 1-4th of June. See more details here: http://shelltosea.com/content/rossport-solidarity-camp-...-june

The week following the gathering will be a Week of Action against Shell, so come up for workshops and discussions at the weekend and if you can stick around to help with the actions afterwards. There are lots of roles involved in making an action as safe and effective as possible, for example taking photos, legal observer, support, as well as being in an arrestable role. You can read more here: http://www.rossportsolidaritycamp.org/?page_id=282

The old winter camp before we started moving

Lots of people moving pallets

Putting up the yurt in the new field

A saturday afternoon walk down to the Shell compound