IAWM Easter Statement

1916: We serve neither King nor Kaiser

2006: We serve neither Bush nor Blair

US Military out of Shannon

On Easter 1916 those who took part in the 1916 rising unfurled a banner
saying, “We serve neither King nor Kaiser”. This was a statement that their
revolt was part of the resistance to the 1st World War, a war between the
imperial powers of the day, as well as a blow for Ireland’s independence and
for an end of the oppression and occupation of Ireland by the British
Empire.

The 1916 rising was the first in a series of revolts that swept across
Europe against war and the empires. Kings were deposed and the carnage of
the war was brought to an end by mutinies in the armies and rebellions
against governments.

Today we have another empire oppressing the world – the US Empire. The death
and destruction they have unleashed in Iraq in the last three years means
Iraqis are now worse off than under Saddam. US foreign policy has backed
murderous regimes and tyrants in the interest of US power and business. We
need look no further than Saudi Arabia, Iraq’s neighbour, for proof of this.

It is sickening to see the Irish government claim they honour the goals of
those who resisted oppression and imperialism in 1916 while backing the
current global empire, and its occupation of Iraq, through the use of
Shannon airport by the US Military. In truth the people resisting the
occupation and oppression of a foreign power in Iraq have more in common
with the participants in the 1916 rising than our government.

The Irish government also want to use the celebration of the 1916 rising to
further soften people up for militarism. The form of the celebration – a
military parade on Easter Sunday, is part of an agenda to recast the Irish
Army as part of the EU military machine. Willy O’Dea recently announced
Irish involvement in EU Battle Groups. These battle groups can be deployed
as part of an EU army to grab the resources of countries like Iraq just as
the US military is currently doing.

This militarism will involve increased military spending to bring our
military into line with NATO standards. This is happening at a time when we
face the greatest hospital waiting list crisis in the history of the state.
The Irish Anti War Movement says welfare should replace warfare as the
priority for government. On the anniversary of the rising we ask is this the
Ireland that the Easter rising was fighting for?

At 2pm on Easter Saturday 15th April the Irish Anti War Movement will be
honouring the anti-imperialist tradition of the rising by unfurling a banner
at the GPO saying:

1916: We serve neither King nor Kaiser, 2006: We serve neither Bush nor
Blair. US Military out of Shannon

We invite everyone interested in peace and who want to see and end to
empires to join us.