Anti-War Ireland is initiated and national conference planned

National conference and anti-Bush protest planned

A new national network and alliance of independent anti-war groups and activists was initiated at a meeting held in Limerick on Saturday, March 27th.

The gathering was well attended and included members of the following groups: Mid-West Alliance Against Militarism and Aggression, Cork Anti-War Campaign, Fairview Against the War, Grassroots Network Against War (Galway), Tralee Anti-War Group, Clonakilty Against the War, Geeks Against War, Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Global Women’s Strike, Gluaiseacht, and the Kilkenny Anti-War Group. Following a wide-ranging discussion, the following decisions were taken:

1. That we build for a large anti-war conference to be held on May 15th in order to formalise and launch this initiative. All appointments and structures are provisional, in the sense that it is this conference that will mark the real beginning of the new movement, and the focus, direction and structures will be decided then. The conference will be organised on a democratic and inclusive basis, respecting the diversity of the movement and seeking to involve as many people as possible. Venue to be decided.

2. That the network/alliance be known as Anti-War Ireland, but again this is provisional and open to change at the conference.

3. That two websites be established. The newly formed group Geeks Against War have agreed to get these up and running asap. Anybody interested in getting involved with GAW can contact them at geeksagainstwar@yahoogroups.com

4. That Anti-War Ireland organise and build for a large demonstration at Shannon airport on Friday evening, June 25th, to ‘welcome’ George W. Bush as he arrives in Ireland and to simultaneously highlight the Irish government’s complicity with the US war machine.

5. That a convenor be appointed.

6. That two PROs be appointed. These can act as spokespersons, but a system of deferral will operate whereby the PROs may refer the media to other individuals in Anti-War Ireland who might possess a particular knowledge relevant to the inquiry.

7. That Anti-War Ireland hold one more meeting prior to the conference to discuss practical issues, and other matters, pertaining to the conference and the new initiative. This meeting will be held in Limerick on Saturday, April 24th.

A number of issues arose during the general discussion, and among the most important points made were that this new movement must be genuinely democratic and inclusive, and explicitly anti-racist and anti-sexist. The following appointments were made (again, these last only until the conference):

Convenor: Fintan Lane (phone: 087 1258325).

PROs/spokespersons: Caoimhe Butterly (masasa73@hotmail.com/mobile phone number later), and Tim Hourigan (phone: 087 9777703).