BBC: Caoimhe Butterly interupts Tony Blair Press Conf in Lebanon

by Madam k - The Unmanageables Mon Sep 11, 2006 14:48

On euronews at the moment, doing a loop every 15 mins or so ...Well done Caoimhe !
Tony Blair looks well pissed off...

by Margaret Mon Sep 11, 2006 15:04

The press conference and Caoimhe's interruption was mentioned one the One o Clock News also:

http://dynamic.rte.ie/av/2172037.smil

by redjade Mon Sep 11, 2006 15:09

'BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- An angry protester accusing Tony Blair of complicity in the recent Israeli bombardment of Lebanon disrupted a news conference and thousands more shouted outside Monday as the British prime minister visited Beirut in a show of support for the devastated nation's government.

"This visit is an insult," the woman shouted as Blair and Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora spoke at Saniora's office complex. "Shame on you Tony Blair."

She held a banner that said "Boycott Israeli apartheid" in front of live TV cameras until security guards holding her by her arms and legs carried her out. The two leaders stood quietly as she shouted.

"It's all right, we are in a democracy...we respect all sorts of expression," a calm Saniora said....

more at
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/09/11/blair.lebanon.ap/

recognise that banner?

by redjade Mon Sep 11, 2006 15:21

from http://news.yahoo.com

by Ex-ExPAt Mon Sep 11, 2006 15:37

Apparently she is a full time protester. Next thing she will put on a kilt and go running around at the next Grand Prix. Is Daddy funding all these protest trips? How about she holds up a banner with suggested SOLUTIONS to the Middle East problems?

by Jonathan D Mon Sep 11, 2006 15:42

Shows the absolute futility of protest. If she offered solutions etc I would praise her. By simply shouting at leaders she is made look like a bigger fool than anybody. Remeber Fr Neil Horan (mentioned above), hes a dope

by Frank Lee Mon Sep 11, 2006 15:52

Ex Pat. That's not really fair. It's all very well sitting back an making snide remarks, but what have you done today? At least she has shown that Blair doesn't have a blank cheque of support for his pro American policies.

by Rogue Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:05

I can't believe the remarks above. Are they really saying you shouldn't protest against things you oppose!!
I'm sure given an "Open Mike" The protestor could have put forward her views on solutions to the problem. Given that it was very unlikely that they would do that, what should she do? Judging by ex Pat and John D remarks the answer is, DO NOTHING. Ok Mr Blair is hardly going to change his policy over this, but if someone feels strongly enough to take such action I don't see why anyone should have a go at her for it.

by bored Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:19

another futile deed...if she really wants to do something worthwhile, why doesn't she join hizbollah and go and fight..poncing around shouting at world leaders is about effective as a chocolate fireguard.

by PaddyK Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:25

Whats up with Faud Siniora ? Why is he entertaining that weirdo, Blair, anyway? Its a slap in the head to the people who lost family, friends and homes in the bombardment that the UK supported. Why did Siniora agree to let the guy into the country at all ? Blair has nothing to offer, other than to legitimse the war crimes that have taken place and Siniora is helping him to do that. Wouldn't Siniora be better off standing firm with the Lebanese people and maintaining unity now between all the factions against those aggressors that have blood on their hands.
Who's next to be invited? Peretz, Halutz, Olmert?

Re Caoimhe: Some genius asked,

"How about she holds up a banner with suggested SOLUTIONS to the Middle East problems? "

Ehhhhh Hellooooo .. Boycott Apartheid Israel !

by James Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:28

One of the shields these lying b@st@rds have is the fake air of respectability, and the distance that they keep from real public opinion. It is obvious from the clipped language that they use, and the avoidance of discussion of real facts on the ground. They should hang their heads in shame and Ms. Butterly is right to say it to them. I'm glad she did it, and would like to see the link to a video.

As for snide remarks about being a full time protestor. Well she is a full time human being and doing. If she only cared about one thing she'd be a single issue protestor and subject to the usual 'but what about...' comments from the hurlers on the ditch. If she tries to cover everything (which is impossible) she's jumping on every bandwagon going. So, instead, from the media coverage she generates, it seems that she's working to try to stop slaughter in the middle east, and putting her whole effort into it, unlike Mr. Blair who only pays lip service, while at the same time, 'Her Majesty's Government' is responsible for wars, and arms deals to tyrants.

by Frank Lee Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:28

It must be great to sit back and pour scorn on others with a sense of superiority. Let's all join the mocker and snide remark society and do nothing but laugh at others.

by sowrong Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:45

It's all right, we are in a democracy...we respect all sorts of expression," a calm Saniora said....

That says it all, she is torn to shreds by the PM of the country of the people she claimed to act for

Stick to helping people and leave politics to politicians

by LaLa Mon Sep 11, 2006 16:57

Would be interesting to hear what Lebanese people think of this. The girl is after all a foreigner in the place.

by the way it is Mon Sep 11, 2006 17:12

"I spent two weeks filming Caoimhe for a documentary I am making. I had been inspired to meet her by the footage of her blocking Israel Defence Force tanks as they fired over her head, and stories of her standing in the line of fire between soldiers and Palestinian children, as the IDF threatened to "make her a hero".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,848369,00.html

by shane - wsm Mon Sep 11, 2006 17:14

Very effective piece of consensus-shattering. This will have ripples around the globe. It'l have gotten under Blair's shirt as well as the media and the lebanese governments, for towing the UK/US line unquestioningly. More importantly it will fire up people's imaginations (with apologies to the authors of some of the above posts, who obviously lack any kind of imagination), raise a few chuckles, even give some reason to question their despair at the way things are going and the inspiration to engage in small but not insignificant acts of defiance. I have no doubt that like the Palestinians who appreciate her for useing her whiteness effectively against Power, 99% of Lebanese people would support her in these actions.

by R. Isible Mon Sep 11, 2006 17:34

Disrupting the cozy presentation of Blair appearing to deal with, and be welcomed, at the site of the war crimes he has encouraged is essential. It prevents Blair from wrapping the events with a cocoon of normality. Not merely a stand-outside-and-be-ignored protest, but an actual disruption. A very brave person. Hope she's doing OK.

by the way it is Mon Sep 11, 2006 17:39

I spent two weeks filming Caoimhe for a documentary I am making. I had been inspired to meet her by the footage of her blocking Israel Defence Force tanks as they fired over her head, and stories of her standing in the line of fire between soldiers and Palestinian children, as the IDF threatened to "make her a hero".

Funny they didnt mention the militants there(could have put it in place of the word children)..............................but it would not be fitting publicity for a **peaceactivist**

by Noise Hacker Mon Sep 11, 2006 17:57

Shoot the Messenger.

God and Big Guns.

U.S. Offshore Airbase of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

by Ali H. Mon Sep 11, 2006 18:23

Caoimhe has suggested a solution on her banner. Boycotting Israel and bringing its sad economy to its knees would be a favour to its neighbours and to the 40% of Israelis who are apparently living in poverty as a result of their governments failed policies.

Far from being some sort of lifestyle protester as you suggest Caoimhe is a very brave and committed person. Who else would continue in the face of being shot while on a peaceful protest by ZioNazi shock troops.

"While the fighters took cover, Caoimhe ran straight towards the action. (She cuts a rather conspicuous figure in Jenin; 6ft 1in tall with bright red hair.) A disabled Palestinian boy had been shot off his bicycle by an IDF sniper. Caoimhe ran straight towards him, despite the continuing fire, and covered the gaping wound in his back. Within minutes, the Red Crescent ambulance arrived at the scene, and amid continuing gunfire, the paramedics got the boy into the vehicle. The snipers managed to shoot through the ambulance window, shattering glass all over the boy and nearly killing the local cameraman who was filming a report. At the hospital, we were told that the boy was going to survive but would be paralysed from the waist down. This, said Caoimhe, is everyday life in Jenin."

Her action further discredits Bliar showing that the poodle really has no clothes.

Justice for the peoples of Lebanon and Palestine. Boycott Israel!!!!

by the truth? Mon Sep 11, 2006 18:30

Also ali in that article something which can put a very very different light on that story

In the above report, we perhaps gave the mistaken impression that both Caoimhe Butterly and the author of the article were at one time running with 15 armed fighters towards the sound of gunfire. This was not the case. There was a group which included five young fighters, not 15, not all were armed, and the rest were civilians eager to know where the sound of Israel Defence Force gun shots was coming from. The group ran on to the streets, not towards the IDF who were in an adjacent street. Shortly after this, a young boy on a bicycle was shot. Caoimhe Butterly ran to his aid.

Running with ARMED militia, no wonder she was fucking shot

by Ali H. Mon Sep 11, 2006 18:39

"In the above report, we perhaps gave the MISTAKEN impression that both Caoimhe Butterly and the author of the article were at one time running with 15 armed fighters towards the sound of gunfire.

This was NOT the case. " .... MISSED THIS DIDN'T YOU??

As you obviously cannot read she was NOT "running with ARMED militia" and the IDF stormtroopers threatened to make her a "hero" and promptly shot her while she was trying to defend a disabled boy who had just been shot by an ZioNazi sniper attempting some amateur eugenics in order to do his bit for ethnic cleansing in the Jewish motherland.

by THE TRUTH? Mon Sep 11, 2006 18:42

There was a group which included five young fighters, not 15, not all were armed,

Ehhh missed this Ali, the fact was they WERE ARMED just not ALL OF THEM were armed

FFS KEEP IT REAL

A peaceworker running around with a militia, yeh i can see it now..............ROFL

by Ali H. Mon Sep 11, 2006 19:32

"In the above report, we perhaps gave the mistaken impression that both Caoimhe Butterly and the author of the article were at one time running with 15 armed fighters towards the sound of gunfire.

This was not the case.

There was a group which included five young fighters, not 15, not all were armed, and the rest were civilians eager to know where the sound of Israel Defence Force gun shots was coming from.

The group ran on to the streets, not towards the IDF who were in an adjacent street.

Shortly after this, a young boy on a bicycle was shot.

Caoimhe Butterly ran to his aid."

Perhaps you are clairvoiant or maybe you are THE ZioNazi who shot Caoimhe. Otherwise you are grasping at straws as in the retraction published by the Guardian it does NOT state that she was even in the SAME STREET as the gunmen.

By the way if being near people with guns makes you a legitimate target for murder than that legitimises attacks against pretty much all of the Israeli population.

Still rolling on the floor laughing are we?

by redjade Mon Sep 11, 2006 21:05

attention media: need better resolution version of these photos, please contact Indymedia.ie
http://indymedia.ie/contact_us

BBC screenshot

CNN screenshot

by wageslave Mon Sep 11, 2006 21:15

In accordance with editorial guidelines, a reference to a hidden comment has been removed
- ed

Every time these puffed up people are embarassed in this way, it erodes their authority and the facade they present is dropped if just for a short while as they drag the protesting person away on national TV

Congratulations to a brave woman and her attempt to show up these hypocrites and stand up for what is right.

by Nuria Mon Sep 11, 2006 22:11

God bless you Caoimhe for standing up to the murdering hypocrites. More power to you and all others working for justice and peace everywhere (not just the middle east!). You are in our prayers always.

by Shipsea Mon Sep 11, 2006 22:28

Your statement and actions express the views of millions. Thanks from some of them in this small corner of the world.

by hugh o'donnell Mon Sep 11, 2006 23:03

Good on you girl
Columnist Hermann Kelly calls for boycott of Israeli goods in support of Palestinians, and Caoimhe Butterly unfolds the banner for the world to see. Perfect
DId she read that article? Did you?

Opinion Column for The Irish Examiner, Thursday Aug 31, 2006
Why it's time for Ireland to boycott Israeli goods and impose sanctions
by Hermann Kelly
[See whole article at www.ipsc.ie ( website of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign)]

link to article: http://cosmos.ucc.ie/cs1064/jabowen/IPSC/articles/article0045403.txt


editor's note: please excerpt and add link - it is against indymedia.ie editorial guidelines to fully copy and paste text that is previously posted on other websites. thank you.

by redjade Tue Sep 12, 2006 00:08

Lebanon's Daily Star

....As Blair stood beside Siniora, Caoimhe Butterly, an Irish peace activist, shouted that the British leader's visit was "an insult."

"Shame on you Tony Blair," Butterly yelled, holding a banner that read: "Boycott Israeli apartheid." Her protest was captured by live television cameras, until security guards, holding her by her arms and legs, hauled her out.

The two leaders watched in silence, then Siniora said: "It's all right. We are a democracy ... We respect all sorts of expression."...

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&ca...75402

—————————

ABC News: Blair Gets Hostile Reaction in Lebanon

"This visit is an insult," a woman shouted at Blair during a joint news conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora. "Shame on you Tony Blair." She held a banner that said "Boycott Israeli apartheid" in front of live TV cameras until security guards holding her by her arms and legs carried her out.

The protester was identified as Caoimhe Butterly, a well-known Irish peace activist.

The two leaders stood quietly as she shouted.

"It's all right. We are in a democracy. … We respect all sorts of expression," a calm Saniora said.

—————————

Associated Press/Globe and Mail (Can.) Blair draws boos in Beirut

Mr. Blair has defended his stand on the Lebanon war, saying it was important to take the time to craft a settlement that would hold rather than settle for a quick peace likely to collapse.

As he stood beside Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, an Irish peace activist shouted that the British leader's visit was “an insult.”

“Shame on you Tony Blair,” yelled Caoimhe Butterly as she held a banner that read: “Boycott Israeli apartheid.”

Her protest was captured by live television cameras, until security guards holding her by her arms and legs escorted her out of Mr. Saniora's office complex. The two leaders watched in silence, then Mr. Saniora said: “It's all right, we are in a democracy. ... We respect all sorts of expression.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.2006.../home

—————————

Irish Indo Irish activist disrupts Blair Mideast peace press conference

As Blair stood beside Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, Caoimhe Butterly, a well-known Irish peace activist, shouted that the British leader's visit was ``an insult.''

``Shame on you Tony Blair,'' Butterly yelled, holding a banner that read: ``Boycott Israeli apartheid.''

Her protest was captured by live television cameras, until security guards holding her by her arms and legs escorted her out of Saniora's office complex.

The two leaders watched in silence, then Saniora said: ``It's all right, we are in a democracy...we respect all sorts of expression.''

http://www.unison.ie/breakingnews/index.php3?ca=33&si=98253
username/password for unison.ie at: http://www.bugmenot.com/view/unison.ie

—————————

The Guardian Blair greeted by protests in Lebanon

Demonstrations inside and outside Tony Blair's summit with the Lebanese prime minister, Fouad Siniora, marred the first visit by a British prime minister to the country today.

As Mr Blair was speaking at a press conference, a woman named as Caoimhe Butterley interrupted and stood 10 feet from the two leaders holding a banner which said "Boycott Israeli apartheid". She told reporters: "This visit is an insult to the memory of Lebanese, Palestinians and other Muslims. This visit is an insult to the memory of thousands of Lebanese who have died as a result of Blair's policies. Shame on you Tony Blair."

The woman, who officials said was Irish and working for a non-governmental organisation in Beirut, was hustled away.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,186977....html

by Caitlin - Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign Tue Sep 12, 2006 01:15

Blair's visit to the Lebanon proves how shameless he is. The only palatable part of the press conference , where Blair put on his 'man with a mission' act , was when Caoimhe stood up and unfurled her banner calling for a 'Boycott of Apartheid Israel'. Blair's posturing after his tolerance of Israeli atrocities made me want to throw up. He's only in the Middle East because he wants to prolong his wretched political life back home. The sooner he is in the 'dustbin of history' the better! Thank you Caoimhe. You are brilliant!

by hugh o'donnell Tue Sep 12, 2006 06:56

Well done Caoimhe, God bless the work that you have done for the children of Lebanon and Palestine over the past number of years.
You've certainly made a splash this time!

by wtf Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:09

By the way if being near people with guns makes you a legitimate target for murder than that legitimises attacks against pretty much all of the Israeli population.

Still rolling on the floor laughing are we?

difference is they were militants kid, so yes still LOL! what murder? stop exagerating as per usual

the point was kid, the peace worker runs around with armed militants, end of story, stop reading fairytales from pallywood productions

by Bemused Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:13

Hope to see you disrupt the Iranian or Syrian parliaments soon.

by Fishmonger Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:12

Anybody who does anything that unsettles monstrous bullies like Blair & Bush (and their supporters) has to be moving in the right direction? - provided their actions are within the law of course.

by Shipsea Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:12

Znet have today circulated a commentary which discusses the role of women within the conflict - as observers and commentators and as its victims.

"No matter what great accomplishments were ours in the diaspora, no matter that we produced Maimonides and Spinoza, Moses Mendelssohn and hundreds of others of mankind's benefactors - not a warrior among them! - look at the world of our long exile always in the dark light of the Shoah. But this, in itself, is an obscene distortion: Would the author of "Survival in Auschwitz," Primo Levi, or the poet Paul Celan demand that we slaughter the innocents in a land far from the snow-clad forests of Poland? Is it a heroic act to murder a child, even the child of an enemy? Are my brethren glad of it and proud?"

The commentary which includes this quote by Sylvia Tennenbaum, is by Lucinda Marshall and can be read here:

http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2006-09/11marsha...l.cfm

by Justin Morahan - Peace People (pers cap) Tue Sep 12, 2006 13:33

Well done Caoimhe. What you have done for the children of Lebanon and Palestine in this action, you have also done for the children of Israel and the children of the world.

War is bad for children everywhere.

There are no winners when values of respect and decency are abandoned, when humanity is trampled on, when any cause is deemed higher than the life of a child, any child.

And when politicians thrust other people into a war that even warmongers know is unjust, when they support without criticism the killing of children, knowing themselves too that it is wrong and evil, continuing to repeat the lie that it is somehow good or necessary or upholding values, these politicians must be told to their face that they are wrong, wrong, wrong.

Thank you, Caoimhe, for telling this to Mr Blair. Long may your non-violent protest live and prosper

by Madam K Tue Sep 12, 2006 13:47

Caoimhe my daughter stood up and cheered when she saw you on tv yesterday and couldn`t wait to tell her teacher and schoolfriends that she knows you.
She has a number of school mates from Lebanon i sure they were cheering too.
Even a child can see the merit of your actions ,well done again.

by W. Finnerty. Tue Sep 12, 2006 14:40

Some may be interested to know that at least one appeal was made to the Whitehouse in the days before the March 2003 invasion, in an attempt to try and get people in the Whitehouse to think carefully about the very young children of Iraq.

There was even a reply from Vice President Cheney's Office.

Further information can be found at:
http://www.finnachta.com/Confucius.htm#email

by Peter Forde Tue Sep 12, 2006 15:53

Well done Caoimhe. You spoke for millions and millions of people around the world who believe in justice and peace for all. You are truly an activist for peace and justice and by your actions you show peace-lovers everywhere the real meaning of non-violent action. You answer the prayer of St Francis and are a living embem of The Beatitudes at work
Reading some of the comments above, I am fascinated that members of the loony right seem to be hooked to this site. I would have thought Fox News or Sky or maybe The Sunday Independent might have been a more appropriate home for them!! I'm also a little bemused that others take their bait and respond to their rantings! The most appropriate response in my opinion is to ignore them.

Peter Forde

by Noel Tue Sep 12, 2006 17:23

How far would Ms Butterley have progressed if this was an anti-Syrian/anti-Hezbollah banner?
Probably about a kilometre from Mr Blair.
Per usual the West's useful idiots are being used as willing dupes to further anti-Western agendas.

by Noele Tue Sep 12, 2006 17:29

And do you know how the west recruits them?

They dont have too!!!

Just like the last the last commentor.

by Phuq Hedd Tue Sep 12, 2006 17:31

Where was the solemn and poignant ceremony led by the leaders of the free world to commemorate the 500,000 children killed in Iraq by western sanctions and bombing? Where were the moving television specials with little Lebanese orphans talking about their missing mommies?

by billy Joe luke bob Tue Sep 12, 2006 18:49

It's so true, this woman hates the culture she comes from as she is anti-western, and overly emotional.

of course, I use the realpolitik definitions where

Anti-Western = opposing OUR Western rights to bomb any Arab, African, Asian country we please, for whatever purpose we dream up, or supllying arms for others to do so in our interests.

Emotional = going on about the dead and injured victims of the above policy, rather than reserving all tears for the media- friendly, politician - led commemorations hosted by queens, prime ministers and presidents.

E.g. Prez Bush , We remember at this time all those fine people who lost their lives on 9/11, and by the way, we were right to bomb Iraq, and don'cha all go thinking about those dead Iraqis and their families, cos they don't count.

by bassman Wed Sep 13, 2006 00:41

Way to go--keep up the Irish Tradition of collabroration of enemies of the dreaded "Joos" Why you can protest against the Apartheid Jews and spend the night at the Jeruselem Hilton. Too much trouble to go to Sudan or places where noble 3rd world anti-Zionist comrades are keeping it real. Too dangerous and couldnt get on TV. Fighting against that evil Zionist Facist Tony Blair is mush more fun and did you notice how his Storm Troopers wrinkled her blouse with their Nazi tactics--Hey gotta go--I have to pick up an advance on my trust fund check before the Zionist steal it.

by the truth Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:52

If only the west acted like Iran........those brutal western dictators and their bodyguards..meanwhile on the other channel.....

Arrested female demonstrators are to be lashed for their "un-Islamic behavior" before getting released

Brutal militiamen were seen using clubs, chains and knives against demonstrators with the firm intention to kill anyone standing against the regime. Several female protesters were seen beaten to death in Guisha and Fatemi as they took off their veils.

Caoimhe should complain about her brutal treatment.....I believe she has been transported to an invisible Israeli jail to join the hundreds of thousands of others that languish in imagionary jails

by redjade Thu Sep 14, 2006 00:06

Xinhua: Blair receives cold shoulder in Lebanon
'Meanwhile, an angry protester accusing Blair of complicity in the Israeli bombardment of Lebanon disrupted the British Prime Minister's joint news conference with Siniora.

During the news conference, Caoimhe Butterly, an Irish peace activist, unfurled a banner reading "Boycott Israeli apartheid" and shouted "Shame on you!" as security men grabbed the banner and hustled her away.'

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-09/12/content_50...7.htm

——————

Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Anti-Israel protester interrupts Blair

An Irish protester who interrupted British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s news conference in Beirut on Monday with a call to boycott Israel is an anti-Israel activist.

Caoimhe Butterly has participated in several high-profile actions in the West Bank, most notably in 2002 when she gained entry to Yasser Arafat’s besieged compound in Ramallah.

Later that year, Butterly was shot in the thigh during an Israeli army incursion into the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, where she was acting as a human shield.

In Ireland, Butterly held a hunger strike outside the Dublin offices of Cement Roadstone Holdings, a global building materials company with subsidiaries in Israel.

She also has participated in the “peace camp” at Shannon Airport, which protesters claim is a transit point for American arms shipments to Israel.

Time magazine’s European edition included her in a 2002 list of “European heroes.”

http://jta.org/page_view_breaking_story.asp?intid=4658

——————

Irish Indo: Irish activist disrupts Blair Mideast peace press conference

'Angry protesters - including an Irish peace activist who disrupted a news conference - marred a visit to Lebanon by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who had sided with Washington against a quick cease-fire in the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.

[....]

As Blair stood beside Lebanon's Prime Minister Fuad Saniora, Caoimhe Butterly, a well-known Irish peace activist, shouted that the British leader's visit was ``an insult.''

``Shame on you Tony Blair,'' Butterly yelled, holding a banner that read: ``Boycott Israeli apartheid.''

Her protest was captured by live television cameras, until security guards holding her by her arms and legs escorted her out of Saniora's office complex.'

http://www.unison.ie/breakingnews/index.php3?ca=33&si=98253

by big red Thu Sep 14, 2006 15:34

http://www.stoparmingisrael.org

check out this new campaign

by Ciaron O'Reilly - Dublin Catholic Worker Thu Sep 14, 2006 17:39 We are everywhere!

Caoimhe moved straight to the Catholic Worker hospitality house/soup kitchen on the lower east side of New York City after graduating form high school. Some of the style of her actions spring from that movement formation...nonviolent interventions in war zones (Nicaragua, Iraq, Palestine, Bosnia, Guantanomo Bay etc) interventions (John Schurhardts speaking out at the service in Kennebunkport (sp?) while Bush Sr. attended church while bombing Iraq, recent NYCWers trying to get an answer out of Hillary Clinoton on where she stood on the present war as an aspiring Presidential candidate...no luck there!), solidarity and living with the homeless.

Caoimhe moved to Chiapas for a couple of years from the New York Catholic Worker and then to Palestine where she was shot in the leg by the Isreali military accompanying Palestinian kidz to school. She came back to Ireland to be active against the militarisation of Shannon at the start of 2003. She also returned to fast outside the Dublin based cement company profiting form the construction of the Israel apartheid wall (I think that banner displayed to Blair was recycled from that fast!?!) see what a low budget we are working on, we have to recylcle banners even for hi profile world wide actions!

Like most of the folks in our movement she is accused of being a "professional protester" because of her resilience and consistency. Well we're still waiting for the cheque and maintain amateur status!

All such acts are one of basic citizenship, that's why they look so weird in a consumer society! They wouldn't look weird, & motives wouldn't be questioned, in a vibrant democracy. Like most of our movement she sustains a living as a waitress (most recently in London) or other labouring work.

Sometimes when we do a project or an action we may put out an appeal letter if people wish to contribute to transport costs, jail solidarity etc. We also receive the hospitality of many people who wish to offer solidarity. It's a nice flipside to running hospitality houses ourselves.

Whenever Caoimhe has stayed with us in Dublin, she has been a great guest on the domestic front. She is very compassionate and personable. She's not great at getting back to you with emails, txts or correspondence...but hey that's Caoimhe.

I have been taking many calls from mainstream Irish media over the last couple of daze wanting to be put in contcat with Caoimhe. My reponse was "Good luck! I've nver been very successful making contact with her when she's away from Ireland!" And I gave the contcats that might or might not lead to her in Lebanon.

by slpcat - slp Wed Sep 27, 2006 15:50

I think everyone that has commented on what Caiomhe has done and opposed it is wrong. As i know her personally she is a role model for all lefties, especially women, she is an inspiration and a influence to stand up for the rights of the innocent. one person commented that she was a contradiction because daddy was paying for all her trips this editor is completely wrong its not where she is has got the funding for the trips because frankly that's no ones business but its about what she is doing over there, she is making people aware and raising points that are not being completely filtered by the media. the people that comment on caiomhe's work and oppose it i would love to see what they are doing. please respond