Shannon Residents to organise protest against Bush Visit and Security Measures in Shannon

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Wednesday June 09, 2004 19:41 by Dominic Haugh - Organising Committee - Shannon Residents Protest against Bush

A lively and well-attended anti-war meeting took place in Shannon on Tuesday night June 8th. The meeting heard of the anger that has developed in the town against the visit of George Bush to Ireland and the security measures currently being implemented in the town to facilitate the visit.

Those attending expressed their opposition to the continuing occupation of Iraq. The issue of the use of Shannon Airport by the US military was also discussed. The continuing attempts, by those supporting the militarisation of the Airport, to create fear over the future of jobs in Shannon was noted. It was reported that a recent meeting of the councillors from the Shannon electoral area decided to write to Aer Rianta requesting them to increase the number of military flights through Shannon on the grounds that it would secure employment in the airport. It should also be pointed out that all candidates were informed of the meeting but only two Greg Duff (Labour) and Damon Wise (Ind.) attended. However, many of those present pointed out that the real threat to Shannon comes not from the possibility of the withdraw of the landing facilities for the US military at Shannon, but from the current policies of the government intent on the break-up of Aer Rianta and from the job cuts being implemented by another state owned company, Aer Lingus. The meeting resolved to support those workers in their efforts to protect employment at the Airport.

In relation to the security measures currently being implemented in Shannon, the meeting heard of the anger among many of the residents of Shannon to the activities of the Gardai over the past number of weeks. One person commented that it was similar to the “pass laws” under apartheid in South Africa.

The meeting resolved to organise a protest of Shannon residents in Shannon on the evening of Bush’s arrival. It was felt that this protest has the potential to receive an enormous response from those living in the town. Given the security measures being implemented it is likely that the only people that will be in a position to participate in such a protest will be residents of Shannon. Among the ideas being considered are (1) a symbolic burning of the passes issued by the Gardai, (2) the organising of a petition in the estates in Shannon, (3) the issuing of passes containing the wording of the Irish Constitution entitling people to freedom of movement as an alternative to the Garda passes, (4) a march to the police lines where protestors outside Shannon will be prevented from entering the town. The organising committee will take all of these ideas on board.

One thing that was repeatedly stressed was the need for the protest to be peaceful in order to ensure that the maximum participation possible from Shannon. It was also felt that any protest organised in Shannon should be under the stewardship of the Shannon residents and it is the intention of the organising committee to engage in discussions with others intending to protest at Shannon to consider this issue.

Further details will be posted at a later stage.