Minutes from IAWM Meeting Sun 9th March

national | miscellaneous | news report Wednesday March 12, 2003 15:43 by J. Public

The IAWM had a 'national meeting', in Wynn's Hotel last Sunday here's what was discussed/proposed...........

Irish Anti-War Movement National Meeting
Wynn's Hotel, Sunday 9th March

Speakers:
1) Mary Van Lieshaut: The Drives towards war and the anti-war movement - perspectives
2) Kieran Allen: Strategy and tactics - mass action and direct action
3) Michael O'Brien: Day X - what we have to do
4) John Cunningham and Willy Cumming: Building local anti-war groups
5) Richard Boyd Barrett: Organising the Irish Anti-War Movement

Issues discussed under 1) Mary Van Lieshaut:

• Joe Higgins (SP): keep up pressure on media. Stress illegality of war.
• Donal (SWP): strengthen links to the 70 solicitors and barristers who have signed a statement opposing the build up to war on Iraq and the Irish State's involvement in same.
• Aoife Ni Fheargail (Steering Committee/SWP): call upon Irish politicians to boycott Whitehouse.
• Glenda Cimino (Steering Committee/U.S. Citizens for Alternatives to War): proposes we have a National Day of Humanitarian Concern.
• Rebecca Lynch (Bray Anti-War Group): have an IAWM registered float in the St. Pat's Day parade.
• Clare (Green Party): ask Mayor Dermot Lacey to have anti-war banner on his carriage.

Issues discussed under 2) Kieran Allen:

• Kristina McElroy (Steering Committee/Green Party): proposes that people ring local and government Td's on an hourly basis to voice their opinions. People should also call talk shows.
• Jimmy (Tralee anti-war group): proposes a full boycott of Shannon Airport. Shannon should be main focus point, have constant picket.
• Clare (Green Party): proposes the IAWM produce an anti-war video.
• Dick Roche (ICTU): suggests a longer stoppage than 10 min. Stoppage should include an occupation of government buildings. Draw up a list of activities that people can engage in during stoppage. Have good communication with shop stewards.
• Brid Smith (SWP): draw up a document with readily available answers to questions often asked to anti-war activists. Picket all FF and PD clinics. Communication with Churches. Read letter from 'Transport Workers Against the War' to media endorsing 10 min stoppage.
• Ann Conway (TUI): TUI have passed a motion endorsing 10 min stoppage. Get SIPTU/ICTU/Dublin City Council involved in building anti-war theme for St. Pat's Day. Have a longer stoppage. Delegations to visit trade unions. She is to approach Dublin City Council herself.

Issues discussed under 3) Michael O'Brien:

• Connor Costaigh (Writer's Against the War/SWP): Anthology out soon. Steering committee should have contact with flagship companies, e.g. ESB, Waterford Crystal etc.
• Ken Weafer (Ballymun Against the War): local groups should have responsibility of getting leaflets to local workplaces re: stoppage.
• Kristina McElroy (Steering Committee/Green Party): people working at home should walk on to street or wear white ribbon.
• Helena (Community Workers Against the War/SWP): use the Stop The War Coalition's slogan of "Stop The World To Stop The War". Print up generic info posters to be put up around the country re: Day X
• Kevin (Steering Committee/SP): encourage people to do full day strike where possible. Focus for stoppage should be Shannon. Have a stoppage hotline people can ring for info.
• Kieran Allen (Steering Committee/SWP): union backing is crucial. To oppose the Industrial Relations Act argument stress stoppage is in sympathy with people of Iraq as with victims of Sept. 11th.
• Joe Higgins (SP): print up large poster giving 3 points as well as local space for people to meet in during stoppage.
• Michael O'Brien (Steering Committee/SP): Ongoing series of press conferences to keep up media pressure. 10 min stoppage a minimum, not a limit.

Issues discussed under 4) John Cunningham and Willy Cumming:

• Melissa (Dundrum Anti-War Group): IAWM produce bumper car stickers. Put generic poster design on web-site.
• Richard Boyd Barrett (Steering Committee/SWP): proposes we have national steering committee meeting on the Sunday following Day X, and then meet every 6 weeks. Proposes we get an office and full/part time administrator. An appeal should be made for people to fill out standing orders, can be put on four page fact sheet. Local groups should encourage members to fill out standing orders.
• Kristina McElroy (Steering Committee/Green Party): no need for meetings every 6 weeks if the internet is used more efficiently. People may be scared off by standing order forms.

Proposals:

1. General Day X activities. - passed
2. Pickets on FF and PD clinics. - passed
3. IAWM document to be drawn up with accessible answers to FAQ's. - passed
4. Set a single day to ring U.S. Embassy, promote through local groups. - passed
5. IAWM to produce an anti-war video. - passed
6. IAWM, PANA and NGO Peace Alliance to produce posters with slogan and general info re: Day X, as well as organise press conferences together. - passed
7. IAWM to produce own leaflets also. - passed
8. Delegations to visit trade unions to ask for co-operation in preparing for St. Pat's Day. - passed
9. Stoppage is to be held on the next working day. - passed
10. All local groups are to help to distribute leaflets during the parade, they will be positioned at different points along the parade to prevent overlapping. - passed
11. We will leaflet the parade, but stop short on calling for it to become a 'parade for peace'. - passed
12. IAWM to try to raise enough money for office & administrator through use of standing order forms on leaflets. - passed
13. International boycott of Shannon. - not passed
14. Permanent picketing of Shannon. - not passed
15. Periodic protests at Shannon. - passed
16. Local groups to produce stickers. - passed