Galway meeting on upcoming Shannon Demo

by Colm Stephens - Irish Anti-War Meeting Wed Nov 26, 2003 13:53 info at irishantiwar dot org

The steering committee of the IAWM has decided that the exact tactics on the day will be explained to all protestors before we move off from Lidl. Naturally we do not want to publish the plans and allow the Gardai take preventative active even before we arrive.

However, it is clear that the blocade will take the form of a peaceful act of civil disobedience in the form of a blockade of people sitting-down and linking arms. That means that we will only offer passive resistance (e.g. by going limp) if the Gardai move against us.

The IAWM has organised stewards there will be no long, drawn out meeting at Lidl Carpark before we start. We will have ample time to have a meeting as we blockade the airport!

Please note that Eoin or Owen Rice is not a spokeperson for the IAWM and was not involved in any discussion regarding tactics. He is not a member of any workgroup organising the blocade.

Colm Stephens, Secretary IAWM

by Snapper Wed Nov 26, 2003 13:59

These unelected stewards will not be allowed to push people around. Nor will they be allowed to disrupt democratic decision making meetings on the day.

by Anti-Imperialist Wed Nov 26, 2003 14:15

"The steering committee of the IAWM has decided that the exact tactics on the day will be explained to all protestors before we move off from Lidl. Naturally we do not want to publish the plans and allow the Gardai take preventative active even before we arrive."

So none of the other particants get to discuss tactics. Since when has the IAWM become a democratic centralist organisation. 'The tactics will be explained' sounds very much like we will tell you, you will obey. Not a chance Colm. And funny how when Grassroots people discussed a similar tactic of discussing strategy before, the IAWM were dismissive.

"However, it is clear that the blockade will take the form of a peaceful act of civil disobedience in the form of a blockade of people sitting-down and linking arms. That means that we will only offer passive resistance (e.g. by going limp) if the Gardai move against us."

Seems like you are telling the tactics.

"The IAWM has organised stewards there will be no long, drawn out meeting at Lidl Carpark before we start. We will have ample time to have a meeting as we blockade the airport! "

The stewards meeting is when?

"Please note that Eoin or Owen Rice is not a spokeperson for the IAWM and was not involved in any discussion regarding tactics. He is not a member of any workgroup organising the blocade."

Is he not a steering committee member and as one surely is an ambassador of the IAWM.

by David Wed Nov 26, 2003 15:47

Great, cause all them activists are too stupid to have any input in what they're going to be putting their bodies on the line for.

Most people will have ot travel to Shannon by Bus, could there not be workshops on those buses where people can decide what to do themselves on a per bus basis, forming affinity groups and discussing tactics instead of staring out the window for 4 hours.
This is a blockade action therefore it should be assumed that most people travelling are willing to engage in action
The different buses could arrange to be in contact with one another via mobile phone with co-ordinating representatives on each bus who will communicate the intentions of the of the groups discussing the different tactics and co-ordinating action. that way there will be no need to have a big meeting at lidl informing the police of what exactly is going to be happening and everybody will have a clear picture of their own involvment instead of just having generals directing operations to their own personal agendas.

There would be no need to have Stewards if the activists had a clear idea of an agreed plan. Stewards should NOT prevent any activist from deciding his or her own course of action, travelling on an IAWM bus or partaking in an IAWM action is not a contract to accept IAWM terms and conditions.

by Laurence Vize - IAWM Thu Nov 27, 2003 02:05 vizel at utvinternet dot com

As member of the IAWM steering committee let me state that the stattement on let me quote from the minutes of the meeting of 18th October
"PROPOSAL 2: it was proposed to hold a demonstration at Shannon on Saturday, 6th December, which would take the form of peaceful civil disobedience through a mass blockade of Shannon Airport. The objective of the blockade will be to attempt to shut the airport for the duration."
Organising committee: Fintan lANE , Kirsten Foy, Tim Hourigan, Mick o Sullivan.

Eoin Rice joined this group in its work along with several other people subsequent to its formation as did I (all members of the Irish Antiwar Movement are free to join in the work of a sub committee)
So therefore the the committee stands and its work is representatiive of the IAWM end of story. As a matter of fact a report was submitted to the Steering Committee meeting from the Sub Comittee on Saturday. Yes Eoin does not speak for the IAWM but neither does Colm or myself for that matter, The PRO has that responsibility.

Cheers Laurence

by IAWMer Thu Nov 27, 2003 17:36

Anything further to say?

by barry Thu Nov 27, 2003 19:32

The way I've heard it, Fintan proposed Harry Browne to take over as PRO of the IAWM during his incarceration. This apparently occoured during last Saturdays steering commitee meeting. Although Colm Stevens (as secretary) claimed no vote had been taken on the issue, the fact is that no-one voted Colm or RBB to take over the task.
See:
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=62419 and the first comment on this thread.

Also, could some of the other members of the organising sub-group post their contact details as the official contact for the IAWM on the Shannon Blockade seems to have become RBB and Colm.