Cyclists say Bikes not Bush

national | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Tuesday June 15, 2004 15:24

by DGN

Activists to cycle across Ireland

Ireland's next Critical Mass bicycle rally will be
longer than usual - six days long, in fact. Activists
from the Dublin Grassroots Network will set off from
Dublin by bicycle next Saturday, June 19th, on a
176-mile trip to Shannon Airport to protest against
the visit by US President, George Bush.

Bush is due to arrive at Shannon on Friday, June 25th
for an EU-US Summit at Dromoland Castle on June 26th.
The cyclists will be arriving at Shannon in time to
participate in the demonstrations organised by
AmBush2004 and Anti-War Ireland.

Dublin Grassroots Network spokesperson Dermot Sreenan
said: "The Critical Mass bike ride is just one of the
many events organised to show our opposition to the
continuing occupation of Iraq and the Irish
government's complicity in the war by allowing Shannon
Airport to be used by the US military.

"We will be stopping in towns along the way,
encouraging others to get involved and to join our
entourage. Everyone is welcome to join us!"

CRITICAL MASS ROUTE:

Leaving at 5.00 from the Department of Justice
St Stephens Green on Saturday 19th.

Saturday 19th June - Dublin to Straffan.
Via Baldonnel, Newcastle and Celbridge.

Sunday 20th June - Straffan to Kildare.
Via Clane, Proserous, Kilmeague, Allen, Milltown

Monday 21st June - Kildare to Aghaboe
via Crosskeys, Vicarstown, Cashel,Ballyroan

Tuesday 22nd June - Agaboe to Roscrea.
Via Ballybrophy, Knock

Wednesday 23rd June - Roscrea to Killaloe.
Via Shinrone, Cloughjordan, Lisgarode, Nenagh, Ballina

Thursday 24th June - Killaloe to the Shannon Peace
Camp.

We expect to be at our final destinations by 7.00 pm
each day.

To find out where we are on route ring Dermot at 087
6277606

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dermot Sreenan
087 6277606

ABOUT CRITICAL MASS:

Critical Mass began in September 1992 in San Francisco
and since then Critical Masses have taken place all
over the world, from Berlin to Brisbane. Critical Mass
takes place in Dublin on the last Friday of every
month meeting at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell
Square at 6pm.

There is no single aim of Critical Mass, although
there is a shared wish to see less car-dominated
cities and more people cycling. There are as many aims
of Critical Mass as there are participants. Each
individual comes there with his or her own ideas of
what it's about and the sum of this makes up the mass.

The aims might be said to include:
* Raising the profile of cycling in towns and cities.
* Campaigning for better provision of facilities for
cyclists.
* Creating a car-free space in the centre of our
cities.
* Raising awareness about pollution and other
environmental and health problems caused by cars.

ABOUT DUBLIN GRASSROOTS NETWORK:

Dublin Grassroots Network (DGN) is a network of
activists involved in different groups and campaigns
around specific issues such as environmental issues,
the anti-war movement, community work, the women's
movement, civil liberties, anti-racism etc. Those
involved in DGN include students, feminists,
anarchists, socialists, democrats etc. Our principles
stress a rejection of top-down organisations,
solutions which involve ordinary people controlling
their own lives, workplaces and communities. We
advocate a sustainable environmental and economic
system. We are part of the Grassroots Gathering and
the Grassroots Network Against War.