PANA Press Release

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday February 27, 2003 15:01 by IMC

Sent to all media newsrooms today.

Press Release
Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Mid West/Shannon Region
Wednesday 26 February 2003

The Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) and several other peace groups,
including the Limerick based Mid West Alliance against Military Aggression
(MAMA), NGO Peace Alliance, and AFRI, have decided not to support this
direct action anti war protest at Shannon Airport on Saturday 1st March.
This decision was taken very reluctantly because some elements have publicly
advertised their intention to engage in inappropriate direct action and
destruction of property that could result in violence. Genuine peace groups
are opposed to the use of violence as a means of promoting peace, while
acknowledging the need at times for certain forms of non-violent direct
action, or civil disobedience. Plans for inappropriate direct action, such
as the pulling down of part of Shannon airport's perimeter fence, have been
publicly announced. This makes it almost inevitable that there will be a
confrontation with the Gardai and members of the Irish Defence Forces, and a
possibility of some violence. We are opposed to any violence against members
of the security forces, or against any action that is likely to lead to
violence or injuries.
It was clear from the huge turnout in Dublin on 15th February that the vast
majority of Irish people support peaceful protests against war, but do not
support war itself, or support violence as a means of achieving peace.
Violence is the principle tool of warmongers and has no place in the
promotion of peace.

In order to continue to provide peaceful avenues of protest for people of
good will, it has been decided to organise two events in the coming weeks.

March 8th is International Women's Day, which is being celebrated this year
by a Global Women's Strike. The Irish organisers of the Global Women's
Strike have planned a peace rally at Shannon airport under the banner
"Invest in Caring not Killing". We urge as many people as possible to
support this event.
It is worth recalling that the Shannon Peace Camp began on the 6th January,
Women's Christmas, with a 24-hour Women's Peace Camp. This then led on to
the combined Shannon Peace Camp that successfully raised awareness of the
misuse of Shannon airport as foreign military refuelling base, forced the
Irish Government to admit that large numbers of armed US troops were passing
through Shannon, and led to three of the US chartered troop carriers
withdrawing from Shannon as a refuelling base.
Our motto must continue to be "make peace not war" and peace can only be
made by peaceful means.

Our second proposal is that St Patrick's Day should be designated as a Day
of Peace. People in every town and village in Ireland will be encouraged to
participate in St Patrick's Day parades as marchers and spectators, with
banners and posters actively promoting peace. This may prove particularly,
and tragically, appropriate as mid-March 2003 may coincide with the
beginning of the war against Iraq. Further details on St. Patrick's Day of
Peace will be announced later.

We call on all Irish politicians to truly represent the will of the Irish
people in opposing war.

For further information please contact:
Edward Horgan, Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Mid-West/Shannon Region,
Email: edward_horgan@hotmail.com