Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis: Anti-War Demo

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Wednesday October 08, 2003 18:16 by Dominic Carroll - Clonakilty Against the War clonakiltyagainstthewar at eircom dot net

The Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Killarney this Saturday presents a useful opportunity to protest against government collusion in the war against, and continued occupation of, Iraq.

Tralee anti-war group has called a picket, and the Irish Anti-War Movement AGM (held less than a fortnight ago) pledged its support. However, very little is being done to build for the picket (IAWM Website has failed to actively promote the protest – the leading articles concern the anti-war petition and the European Social Forum – and the bus from Dublin has been cancelled due to lack of take-up). The fact that an anti-bin charges demonstration is due to take place in Dublin at the same time will further affect the turn-out in Tralee.

Another problem likely to affect the protest in Tralee on Saturday (as it did the march in Dublin two Saturdays ago) is the defeatism affecting many people – though by no means all – within the movement, though this is being termed/disguised as “burn-out”. For reasons only too obvious, many people – though by no means all – simply can’t summon up the energy for Iraq at the moment. This is not a failing – rather, an understandable state of affairs. However, the circumstances that gave rise to the anti-war movement have only altered in one respect: the US has finished bombing Iraq and “only” bombs Afghanistan periodically. The nature of the problem, then, has changed, not diminished. An example of how the problem persists was given today when the Turkish parliament offered 20,000 troops for the occupation of Iraq, following a deal with the US for the eradication of the PKK in Iraq and a bribe of around 8 billion dollars.

So why the defeatism? Presumably because the US seems to be getting away with it, because our government is being let off for helping, and because the 150,000 who marched on 15 February haven’t marched since. Reason enough to give up, it would seem, unless you believe, as I and many others do, that the situation is so disgusting that not to protest (even in small numbers) is nearly as bad, and that – given a long, focussed campaign – it’s possible to extricate Ireland from its bit-part role in the real ‘axis of evil’ (US–UK–Spain–Italy–Poland–Turkey–etc.).

Everyone of an anti-war disposition need to become self-motived (as has been the case with so much anti-war activity). Simply remind yourself of what’s going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, what’s been done to the people of these countries, what’s being planned for them, and of how this country is facilitating it as best it can. And please make an effort to get to Killarney on Saturday.

Our demands are simple:
* US Military out of Shannon
* No Irish troops for the occupation of Iraq
* Drop all charges of civil disobedience

For transport details:
Dublin: Colm: 087 2947100
Cork: Fintan: 087 1258325
West Cork: Dominic: 086 3667275