Go 'Way Outta Dat - Bush / C.I.A. Not Welcome Here
limerick |
anti-war / imperialism |
news report 
Sunday March 05, 2006 23:12
by Elaine
Protest At Shannon
"A security operation involving several hundred gardai and soldiers was maintained before and during the stopover." So says the Indo online. Indeed we saw several hundred Gardai and Army personnel as we made our way into Shannon earlier Yesterday afternoon.
We were alone outside the Terminal long enough for me to have a ciggie and all of us to have a conversation as to the best place to display our disgust at our Country's complicity in this genocide. Right outside the front door of the Airport was deemed to be the best spot and we spent several minutes enjoying the bright sunshine before the Security / Guards got wind of our presence.
Then ensued the (I am told) usual routine; we were politely asked to leave. Which we did, by foot, walking the banners past the front of the Airport and several travellers who watched in cowed silence. Many indulged in displacement activity, fidgeting with their bags, looking for cigarettes etc. Others read our banners and looked a little frightened. 'Dangerous' Ideas and outspoken honesty can upset those with a herd mentality.
We had an escort for our walk back, two men in suits. They declined to take our photo as a group but didn't demur when we stopped to pose at various locations. They asked how we got past the 'Wall Of Steel'. We just laughed in response and asked were they going to 'slag the arse' off the uniforms guarding the entrance. They said 'that's why we are walking with you'. But I'm sure that was not the only reason..
Colm And Tim At Shannon Terminal
Walking With The Banners Back To The Entrance
Comments (10 of 10)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10we took up position on the roundabout opposite the entrance to Shannon. We were well minded by a group of Guards also enjoying the sunshine. A regular convoy consisting of a Garda van and several Army vehicles made their way out of the Airport, circled around our roundabout and headed back the way they came. We got a few smiles from the Army lads who must have been very dizzy at the end of the day. Will they be putting in a compensation claim? Only time will tell.
Taking Up Our New Position Opposite The Entrance
Hello, I'd Like To Report A War Monger ...
Conor (And His Camera) Get Some Company
Banner Holding A-Deux - Colm Brings It All Home
Casting A Long Shadow
As the circus came to town. There were the usual clowns in cars telling us to Go'way outta dat and one woman who demanded that we 'go home and wash the dog'. Either that was a euphemism or I have to buy a dog. Some beeped and waved in support so it wasn't all bland.
Conor With Some Fans Of His Work
No Colm, That's Not Bush - Just Another Horse's Ass
Roundabout ... This Time, My Hands Got Tired
Thanks For Giving Me A Break From The Banner Holding
Four Horses - Looking For A Carousel
Great action folks. Y'all look great.
I've spent the last week in Sydney spreading the word about Shannon's role in the war and nonviolent resistance to it. Gave a rap at Redfern church yesterday, Pax Christi on saturday, "Politics in the Pub" (great concept) on Friday night at the Gelic club and at a demonstration marking the 10th anniversary of U.S. war cheer leader John Howard being Prime Minsiter of Australia.
On Friday, my brother Sean was found "not guilty" in Alice Springs magistrates court of "obstructing a federal officer" outside CIA base Pine Gap last December. Sean tied up the cops in cross examination while defending himself the previous Monday. Four friends who carried out a "citizens inspection" of the Pine Gap base in December are on more serious charges and have a pre-trial hearing in April.
I got approached by an Irish backpacker on the street the other day. he went to school with Eoin Dubsky...so it's either remains a small world or a small movement!
In the personage of a certain 'undercover' Guard who made his presence felt by taking our photo in an OTT manner. I guess he assumed it was intimidatory but he raised the biggest laugh of the day. However, his driving skills leave a lot to be desired.
D'Lads Spot A Suspect Character
Oh Yeah, Classy Bit Of Undercover
In Case You Missed That, Here's A Closer Look
That's No Way To Drive On A Roundabout
Get Thee Hence
Well done...
Another excellent piece Elaine.
Did anyone report that undercover dood? He seems to be making turns without using his indicators. No seat belt. Dangerous driving, using his left hand only - steering and gear changing, not to mention trying to compose and take photographs at the same time. No tax and no insurance on display. Not to mention that this act is blatently an act of harassment and intimidation. (He coulda just logged onto Indy if he just wanted photos.) I'm sure we could even arrange autographs for him.
One should note that in the picture titled "Oh Yeah, Classy Bit Of Undercover" there are two Gardaí witnessing this man break and flaunt the law.
Never a real Garda around when ya need one. It seems they might all be undercover Gardaí. Ie. pretend Gardaí.
Who is he gathering evidence for? And for what? How long can rogue members of the Gardaí keep the 'evidence' they gather against activists, withour proffering charges?
How long can rogue Gardaí ignore the criminal actions of a rogue government?
How long will we witness and accept this?
Article 9
2. Fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the state are fundamental duties of all citizens.
Seems to me that activists, personify Article9 section 2.
What does this say of those who would oppose Article 9 section 2?
We continue to witness.
Colm, Tim, Elaine & Asia - Ye are flying the flag for all of us and for all those being butchered in Iraq and all those being tortured by the U.S. Thank you so much and well done.
Well done companera....solidarity from all of us up here to all those who took part.
Great to see you all keeping the faith. Small group, big hearts. Great running commentary and photo essay, Elaine.
Particularly liked the comments about displacement activity and the herd. Sometimes I keep my thoughts in that direction to myself out of what is probably a misplaced sense of politeness. But really, too many appear sheep-like in the face of the ongoing unravelling of an incredible tissue of lies around this war and the torturing and kidnaps. The economic argument has been put to me on occasion as a plausible reason to tolerate our complicity, by people who seem to think it is normal to keep a 'diplomatic' silence about serious breaches of international law, to protect the freedom of the Irish to accumulate assets. It is depressing if this is a major reason for the ongoing compromises that occur here and for the small number of people now still interested in seriously keeping up the pressure about Shannon. Self-interest and greed have become acceptable and normalised in our society, even if it means the facilitation of torture is the price we have to pay.
For either praise or blame;
Many Thanks: to both Tim and Conor (among others) who have kept a constant and sometimes thankless watch on the comings and goings at Shannon.
No Thanks: to the Irish Aviation Authority who earned themselves another visit today because of their continued complicity in this illegal and immoral war.
Back From Shannon
Colm's Amazing Day-Glo Suit
Nice Banner Holding, Lads
Ouch
Pavement Shrine
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