2 new protest camps urgently need help

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Thursday July 13, 2006 22:01

by tracey - rossport solidarity camp

Protest camps in Bantry and the Hill of Tara urgently need help and support

Recently 2 new protest camps have been set up in Ireland. Both urgently need help and support.

The Bantry Solidarity Camp/Lodge was set up to assist landowners and residents of Bantry in preventing the ESB from putting pylons on their land. They are calling for the pylons to be buried underground as it would make them safer and less of an eyesore in this beautiful area. Residents are worried for the health and safety of their children; research has shown that pylons and overhead lines cause leukaemia and cancer. Also native woodland is under threat to facilitate the private wind farm developers. Once again, as was seen in Rossport, the needs and concerns of the community are being put behind the needs of big business.
The campaign demand is simple and reasonable…. bury the pylons not the children!
Supporters have been travelling to Bantry and staying at the Solidarity Lodge. They have been helping local people to protect their land. Today the ESB tried to gain entrance onto some of the farms; they tried to push their poles over fences into the fields while protesters blocked their way.
More support is needed urgently. If you can go to Bantry please do but remember that like in Rossport this is a local community led struggle. We are there to show support and solidarity, it is up to the local people to decide strategy, talk to the media etc. they have welcomed supporters to attend their meetings offer advice and take part in actions.
If you are going please call Caton on 085 7662476 for directions, what to bring etc
If you cant go please call to your local ESB station or headquarters and tell them what you think of this situation.
Bantry Concerned Action Group have requested that all support actions be non violent.

Protesters have been camped in Tara since the solstice. For the time being the camp is situated near the hill down into the woods. Campers have kept a flame burning since the solstice and intend to keep it burning until the 2nd of August, which is Lammas. They will then relocate to a new location directly affected by the proposed motorway. They hope by camping close to the hill that they will create a meeting space for those wanting to get involved in the camp, and also raise more awareness among the tourists etc who visit Tara.
Today the 6 campers had a visit from the Office of Public Works who ordered them to leave by dinnertime tomorrow. The camp is calling for urgent support, if enough people show up to support them they will try to defy this order and remain camped there until the 2nd of August.
If you can get to Tara call one of these numbers 086 1758557 086 0771851 087 6218128