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2) Peace activists create Shannon Airport shrine to Iraqi children

category national | miscellaneous | news report author Sunday December 08, 2002 17:44author by Eoin Dubsky

Hundreds of activists took part in today's lively anti-war demonstration at Shannon Aiport, among them where members of the anarchist, pacifist Christian group the Dublin Catholic Worker.

Six members of the Dublin Catholic Worker community attempted to transform an aviation monument into a shrine to Iraqi children threatened by US Troops and munitions en transit through the airport to US bases in Kuwait and Qatar.

Photos of Iraqi children were pasted on the structure, red dye poured into the surrounding pool in which it stands and the words "The war stops here - Phil Berrigan R.I.P." spray painted on the monument. The six then held hands in prayer.

One of the group, Farah Izadeh, had recently returned from Iraq. She stated, "Over half a million Iraqi children under the age of five have been killed by the past 12 years of crippling sanctions and sporadic bombardment by the US military. Iraqi children will be the most vulnerable should another all out war be unleashed by President Bush."

Ciaron O'Reilly added "Shannon Airport has become a pit stop for the US war machine. In contravention of Irish neutrality offensive troops and military equipment have been passing through Shannon daily. This must be met with nonviolent resistance by those who hold life more sacred then oil profits."

Cathi Clinton, Fergus Haverty-Stacke, Farah Mokhtareizadeh, Damien Moran, Ciaron O'Reilly and Deirdre were joined by other peace activists in a circle around their work. Their names were taken by police, but there were no arrests made.


More information: Cairon O'Reilly 087 918 4552

Comments (6 of 6)

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Well done
author by Limerick1919publication date Sun Dec 08, 2002 21:55author address author phone

This was a stunning and fitting memorial to Berrigan.

Excellent action

A great memorial
author by Joe Sheehanpublication date Mon Dec 09, 2002 10:30author address author phone

Well done, very strong action, definitely made people think. I am sure Phil Berrigan would approve!

thank you from away over the seas!
author by iosafpublication date Mon Dec 09, 2002 13:48author address author phone

you do it well.
long may you continue to do it.
for we are just beginning ¿NO?

wasters
author by aposapublication date Mon Dec 09, 2002 17:43author address author phone

Its an awful pity yee didnt jump the fence !!!!

It would been a sight for sore eyes to see yee get a hammering because thats what yee would have got !!!!!! one yee would have remembered for a long time

Iraqi Children
author by Danpublication date Tue Dec 10, 2002 17:58author address author phone

Just remember-it is Sadaam's fault that these sanctions are in place. Maybe we should have a shrine of Sadaam

honoring a prophet
author by ruth opublication date Wed Dec 11, 2002 00:21author email mro424 at mizzou dot eduauthor address 2108 Grant Lane Columbia MO USA 65203author phone 573-234-1913

Phil Berrigan was a prophet crying out in the desert of military obsessed America. He is no doubt honored at this tribute to him, that focuses, not on the person, but the people who are being harmed by the policies he protested for the past 30 years. We will miss Phil's voice for justice and peace in this conflict ridden world. We can't take his place, but we can all put ourselves on the line for peace like he did.
Great action.

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