Irish Anti War Movement Blurb for March 1st
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Friday February 21, 2003 13:17
by Eamonn Crudden
Seems like little communication going on between IAWM and others about this Protest
Someone who attended a IAWM meeting in last couple of days confirmed to me that no proper discussion was initiated about the possibility of direct action at Shannon on March 1st.
Assemble Shannon Town Centre 2pm - March 1st (Saturday Week)
STOP THE WAR ON IRAQ!
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On February 15th tens of millions of people worldwide took to the streets to
oppose the US plans for a war on Iraq. In Dublin 150,000 people joined the
protest against war demanding the government end the use of Shannon by the US
military.
The Irish government have ignored the wishes of the Irish people in giving
support to US war plans on Iraq.
Even after this huge protest Bertie Ahern is saying that the government will
not change its position and end the use of Shannon by US military.
The government has effectively turned Shannon into a US military base by using
the Irish Army to protect US warplanes.
If the war goes ahead health organisations estimate that between 50,000 and
100,000 Iraqi civilians will die. Bertie Ahern and the Irish government will
have the blood Iraqis on their hands if they continue to assist the US war
drive.
The US claims that this is a war to rid the word of weapons of mass destruction
and because Saddam Hussein is a dictator.
But it is the US and Western powers that sold Saddam weapons of mass
destruction in the first place and supported him when he was using them against
his own people in the 1980s. The US continues to sell arms and give support to
dictators and tyrants across the globe.
The real reason for this war is the US wishes to grab control of the huge oil
reserves in Iraq and dominate the Middle East.
We must say clearly: No to war for oil. We must make clear to our government
that they have no right to support this war.
Join the protest in Shannon on Saturday March 1st. Organise a bus from your
area or contact the IAWM for details of buses.
Protest if war begins
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If war begins we must move quickly to build large protests everywhere. Protests
are already planned across the country and across the world.
Please take note and spread the word, as we will have very little time to
organise once war starts. Local anti-war groups should begin to plan for these
protests now.
*** On the Evening of an attack at 6pm. Protests in every City, Town and
Village across the country. In Dublin 6pm at the US Embassy, Ballsbridge
*** The day following the attack. Midday. 10 minute work stoppage. . Bring the
country to a standstill. (Stop work, walk out of class, lectures, protest where
you are . wear a white ribbon or arm band).
*** On the Saturday following the start of the war. Mass protests in every
major city and town.
Comments (8 of 8)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8We have contacted the IAWM and asked them for a meeting where we can outline the precise plans for Direct Action in Shannon. We have also asked for co-operation in a couple of ways so that people who attend can get a detailed description of the plan in advance and can make an informed choice as to whether they will take part and so that nobody gets caught up in anything that they do not wish to be involved in. Hopefully this will lead to a situation where there is no confusion or bad feeling on the day between people who wish to take direct action and those who wish to march and nothing more.
There are those in IAWM who would like to just take over this Demo. I have no doubt that their 'stewards' will try to prevent any discussion on March 1.
Ear to the Ground
by Chris anti capitalist Fri, Feb 21 2003, 2:09pm
Is it true that belfast anti war movement are organising at least six buses for shannon and direct action
Handing out appeals isn't direct action
Seems the direct action debate is hotting up everywhere including the US where some form of direct action has now taken place in at least half a dozen cities. The article below is from Seattle..
If some groups do not want to get involved in DA
then obviously it is only right to have this organised properly so that everyone knows where they stand (literally).
But we must all respect each-others actions and not fall into the same old trap whereby the no-war alliances are described as divided, I respect all actions taken against the war, including such actions by the Catholic Workers,
Although I may not have the courage to do the same I support them completely!
I hope the many thousands going to Shannon on March 1st hold this view!
We all serve a purpose in this movement, we are all entitled to take the action we see appropriate, we must remain united in principle and respect our use of different tactics!
Two day blockade of Souda naval base (Crete) planned for March 15th.
I've been on the IAWM demonstrations at Shannon and the march in Dublin and I support the direct actions that the Catholic Workers and other took. I don't want to take them myself because Im not willing to be arrested, but I do want to support them in solidarity and be a witness. How can I do this?
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