Letter from Limerick Jail - Fintan Lane Speaks out

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Monday December 08, 2003 18:22 by Fintan Lane - Cork Anti-War Campaign/IAWM E-Wing, Limerick Prison, Mulgrave Street, Limerick

Despite the Prison Censors

I need to give some background to why this letter is dated. Fintan wrote and sent this letter out to me on December 2nd, to be put out before the blockade. It arrived in my letterbox today, December 8th. Other letters he has sent have arrived within 24 hours of sending. The prison censors must have made a conscious, politically motivated decision to delay the sending of this one, as it encourages people to attend December 6th and make it a success. I doubt that the delay is the fault of An Post, given the speed with which Fintan's other letters have been delivered. We know the blockade was indeed a success, but I thought it appropriate to post this letter up verbatim regardless, because we wouldn't want to buy into attempts to silence an anti-war prisoner. Instead, let's use this as fuel to spark the planning of the next blockade.
Deirdre Clancy (Pitstop Ploughshares).

Dear Friends,

Since I arrived in Limerick Prison one week ago, I have received messages of solidarity from anti-war activists in Ireland and abroad. I have also heard that many expressions of support have been posted on Indymedia, and I am grateful for these. It is wonderful to experience such solidarity, and I am heartened by the strength of community within the anti-war movement.

Ultimately, of course, the most significant act of solidarity with those who face jail for anti-war activities is the continuation of the campaign to extract Shannon Airport from the US war machine. More immediately, it is important that people travel to Shannon on December 6th to participate in the mass blockade against the misuse of this Irish civilian airport. The Shannon blockade will succeed only if sufficient numbers turn up and take action. Please be there.

The Irish Anti-War Movement has called this blockade, but it will be supported by individuals and groups with diverse views. This diversity is a strength, not a weakness, and there should be respect for all sections of the wider anti-war movement. If we act together, we can make this blockade a success and, I hope, the first in a series of such actions until US troops withdraw from Shannon.

Finally, I would like to reiterate my appreciation for all the messages of solidarity that I have received, and I would especially like to thank those who have vigilled outside the prison. The campaign against US military refuelling at Shannon is likely to be a long one, but we will succeed in the end. Care/Act.

Fintan Lane,
Limerick Prison,
2/12/02