Walk for clean air at Ringaskiddy

cork | environment | news report Wednesday July 21, 2004 13:57 by John Baker - Cork Grassroots Regrowth666 at hotmail dot com 0857027828

Walking the right of way across the proposed incinerator site at Ringaskiddy

The proposed incinerator site at Ringaskiddy iscrossed by a right of way. Local people have been walking this to reclaim the land. Indaver, the company who want to build this monster have a highly dubious claim on the land. At the time of the oral hearing last year they were not even in possession of the deeds. Next friday members of Cork Harbour for a Safe Environment (CHASE) will travel to Dublin to the High Court to find out if their case can go ahead> This is a national issue. If we can stop this incinerator we can stop all the incinerators proposed for Ireland. Please come and support us , Thanks

The following is a report of events at yesterdays walk. I have done my best to summarise the meeting as I remember it. If anyone who was there disagrees or wants to add to this please feel free. I will email this info out to anyone who wants it. If you do not want it please let me know.

About 25 adults and kids attended a walk yesterday (Sunday) at the proposed incinerator site. This was a great turnout seeing as the decision to do it was only made Saturday morning. Those attending were mainly from the Cork City area and members of CHASE from Cobh. Prior to setting out we held a meeting, facilitated by a Cork activist, sitting on the grass just outside the carpark. We introduced ourselves, the Chase people gave an update of their campaign so far and then people put forward proposals, and ideas for effectively preventing the building of the incinerator.
The point was stressed that for this campaign to be won it will take a range of different tactics and strategies. That CHASE do not own the campaign and that people can act autonomously in taking actions

Proposals made could be divided roughly into 5 main strands:
1. The legal route currently being pursued
Need help with fundraising and any other support welcome
2. Direct Action
The need for a more militant approach to the campaign was voiced. The point was also made that DA should not be the preserve of a few hard core "activists" and that it could range from blocking a road to taking a walk through the site or supporting those who do this. Please note anyone thinking of taking action that as CHASE are fully occupied with the legal campaign they will not be involved with this and it should be organised separately and without their sanction
3. Magical action/ Prayer and ritual
From pagans to catholics, a diverse range of people holding diverse beliefs are working with the unseen realms to avert this threat. This is a valid form of action and should be supported. Take not all you dialectic materialists!
4. Consciousness raising/Fundraising/ Celebration
Could take the form of music, gatherings etc. A 12 hour drumming session is being planned, also a gathering at the end of August. Watch this space.
5. Keeping the right of way open, signposting it clearly and attractively.
Every weekend dozens of people go walking down on the beach there yet there is little sign that ther is a proposed incinerator site there too. We need to take advantage of this, get info displayed down there and clearly mark the path up to the Martello tower. This could be a focus for next weeks walk.

An important piece of info was passed on, Minister Cullen has recently appointed one of the Directors of Indaver to the board of the EPA. No conflict there, no, no, no. Picket the EPA anyone?

Finally there was a general consensus that there would be a walk every Sunday from now on. All are welcome. Anyone thinking of coming along please note that there may not be anyone there to "organise" you and that you may have to organise yourself. Also that the meeting before the walk helps focus the event and gives people a chance to eyeball each other and identify allies or people they may wish to work with. People with good facilitation skills please be ready to jump in and help. I hope that yesterday marked the start of a fresh input of energy to something that a lot of people have put a lot into already and that there will be many happy days spent down there on the site and that not only will we stop Indaver but that we will help set our society on the path to zero waste,sustainability and ecological and social justice. I will do my best to keep reporting on this process until someone better suited for the job comes along. All the best, John

For more info or directions please email me or ring 085 7027828
Next Walk is next Sunday 25th July '04. 2.30pm and every Sunday from then on. Meeting at the carpark in Ringaskiddy on the way to Haulbowline.
Please bring your families, friends, picnic gear, musical instruments etc. We also want to clearly mark and beautify the right of way so please also bring; sign making equipment, ie boards, stakes, paints, coloured ribbons etc.

Next walk Sunday 25th July 2.30pm, meeting at the car park in Ringaskiddy on the way to Haulbowline See you there