Demilitarise Shannon Demonstration: Abu-Ghraib veterans to speak

national | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Tuesday October 10, 2006 21:12

by Anti-War Ireland

info at antiwarireland dot org

087 1258325

US Iraq War veterans to demand the demilitarisation of Shannon

It has been confirmed that among the speakers at the Anti-War Ireland (AWI) demonstration at Shannon on Saturday, 28 October, will be three US Iraq War veterans, all of whom served together as interrogators at the infamous Abu-Ghraib prison. The three - who were in the same military battalion - have since completely rejected the war and are members of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Tony Lagouranis, Joshua Casteel and Stephen Lewis are travelling to Ireland especially for the Shannon demo on 28th October, but will also speak at AWI public meetings both north and south.

For information on Tony Lagouranis, a recent interview can be found at the following link:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/torture/intervi....html

A profile of Joshua Casteel can be read at:

http://www.ivaw.org/user/47

The three former soldiers are adding their voices to the call for the demilitarisation of this Irish civilian airport. Many of the hundreds of thousands of US troops who have passed through the airport have been responsible for carnage in Iraq and large numbers have also returned to the US in body bags. The Bush regime has brought horror and suffering to families across Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States.

The demonstration, which will assemble at 2pm outside Lidl in Shannon town centre, will take the form of a mock-funeral to the airport. The theme will be 'Remembering the Dead' and we ask people to consider wearing black for the occasion. Also, bring flowers which will be laid symbolically at the entrance to this pitstop of death in memory of those who have died.

Buses will run from Dublin and Cork to the demo (more information closer to the date), and the US vets will also speak at a number of Anti-War Ireland public meetings around the country. The focus throughout will be on our call for the demilitarisation of Shannon Airport.

The following is an outline schedule of the US vets speaking engagements. More information will be posted later.

THURSDAY, 26 October
AWI public meeting at the ATGWU Hall in Middle Abbey Street, Dublin. Beginning at 7.30pm. Chaired by Deirdre Clancy (AWI), the speakers will include Joshua Casteel, Stephen Lewis, Tony Lagouranis and a speaker from Anti-War Ireland.

FRIDAY, 27 October
The three US vets will each speak at lunchtime meetings in TCD, UCD and NUI Maynooth.

SATURDAY, 28 October
Assemble at 2pm in Shannon town centre to march on the airport. All three US Iraq War veterans will be among the speakers at a rally at the airport.

MONDAY, 30 October
8pm. Public meeting with Tony Lagouranis and Stephen Lewis in Limerick. More details later.

TUESDAY, 31 October
AWI public meeting in Cork with Tony Lagouranis and Stephen Lewis. 8pm in the Quality Hotel (formerly Shandon Court Hotel) on John Street.

WEDNESDAY, 1 November
AWI public meeting in Belfast with Tony Lagouranis and Stephen Lewis. 8pm. Venue to be announced.

For further information, email info@antiwarireland.org

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Passing through USAF base 'Shannon' - courtesy of Bertie Ahern

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Comments (3 of 3)

Stephen Lewis

by AWI

Tue Oct 10, 2006 22:53

Stephen Lewis served five years in the US army as an arabic speaking interrogator. He spent a year in Iraq, much of the time at Abu Ghraib. Joshua Casteel, Tony Lagouranis and Stephen served together. Their unit was the 202 military intelligence battalion. Near the end of the tour in Iraq, Joshua and Stephen confided in each other that they would both apply for conscientious objection as soon as they returned to the US. They did and both are now members of Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Dublin bus?

by anon

Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:05

Where is the Dublin bus leaving from? What time? How much? Details pleezze!

Cork meeting

by Cork AWI

Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:54

The venue in Cork is on John Redmond Street, not John Street:

Quality Hotel & Leisure Centre
John Redmond Street
Cork, Ireland
Phone: (353) 21 452 9200

Should be a good meeting.

Tuesday, 31 October, 8pm.

See yis there!

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Demilitarise Shannon Demonstration: Abu-Ghraib veterans to speak

Comments (3 of 3)