$hell Dublin HQ Occupied + Cork $hell Depot blockaded by S2S

by Breaking News!!! Wed Oct 11, 2006 14:25

Shell to Sea protesters are currently occupying the head offices of Shell at Leeson Street in Dublin City Centre.
At the planned Shell to Sea protest in Dublin City Centre a number of protesters have gained access to and are currently occupying the corporate headquarters of Shell in Dublin.
There a number of protesters on the roof of the building as well as occupying the lobby, there is also a large media presence.

Updates to follow.

by Sarah - //// Wed Oct 11, 2006 15:05

Maybe we have more to fear from our own governments willingness to supply troops -i mean guards to shell for free- why do they not have to foot their own security bill.. they can afford it ..go on the Dubs good work.

by Elinor - Cork Shell to Sea Wed Oct 11, 2006 15:06

Early this morning 20 Shell to sea members arrived at Cork airport and proceeded to block the entry and exit gates of Shells depot there.
This morning Shell to Sea activists in Cork staged a blockade at the airport. The depot belonging to Shell was targeted in solidarity with the people of Rossport in their present state of occupation by 200 guardí.
Soon after blocking the exit and entrance airport police arrived and were steadfastly ignored. The first tanker arrived soon after followed by two squad cars of gards. After being told they would be arrested if they persisted everyone sat down on the road. The sargeant after calling HQ had to back down as the order had obviously been given not to arrest ! The blockade held and received good coverage on City and county radio and the examiner sent a photographer up.
Further actions are planned.

by 10,000 Wed Oct 11, 2006 15:12

People have a right to protest the Government mismanagement of the issues
of Land/natural resources/war.
People have a right to make their voices heard.

They put their community and safety above and beyong the open criminals of
the FF/PD administration.

Solidarity.

Noel Dempsey ought resign. (Shell)
Bertie Ahern Ought resign. (donations)
Michael Mc Dowell Ought resign.(Thornton)
Martin Cullen ought resign.(Aer lingus flotation)
Dick Roche ought resign.(M3)

New administrations are charged with dismantling the machinations of the
corporate crony lobby.
Shell to Sea.

by Joe - WSM - personal capacity Wed Oct 11, 2006 15:24

(This is a response to a hidden abusive comment, I am leaving it unhidden as it contains useful information - indymedia moderator)
Andy 'Righteous Pragmatist' probably isn't a Shell employee as he has been posting to indymedia for years Righteous Pragmatist. However the 'facts' are not his strong point, he believed in WMD in Iraq and has proclaimed victory there on around 6 occasions. He appears to be one of those characters who repeats whatever he had heard on the TV without even the awareness of being wrong in the past and wondering why that might be so.

RP if you took the time to go down to Rossport, as I did and viewed the proximity of the pipeline to peoples houses (70 metres) plus considered just what would happen if things went wrong you'd change your mind. And unfortuately gas pipeline failures are not that unusual.

A good example is found at http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Pipeline/Carlsbad-expl...n.htm which is an account of a natural gas pipeline failure at New Mexico August 19, 2000.

"No significant corrosion damage was visible on the outside surfaces of the three pieces or on the two ends of the pipeline remaining in the crater."

"All 12 persons who were camping on the east bank of the Pecos River were fatally injured in the accident. The causes of death were extensive thermal burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and smoke inhalation."

"Based on photographs taken of the fire as it engulfed the suspension bridges, the height of the flame was calculated to be about 496 feet"

" Two of the pieces of pipe were thrown 234 and 287 feet"

Remember again that the closest houses are 70m from the pipeline in Rossport, not only are these within the fireball radius (the fire burned for 55 mins) but they are also inside the distance travelled by both pipeline segments.

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt League Wed Oct 11, 2006 15:32

Gura míle maith agaibh muintir Corcaigh. Go mba fada buan sibh - mar a bhí i gcónaí!

Thank you Cork S2S and supporters from the besieged communities of Erris. We are, literally, battered and bruised in our second week of MarShell law here but I can assure all our decent supporters that we will never be broken by scum or scabs doing the bidding of Shits in Suits.

Thanks again, Maura

by philip - NDA Wed Oct 11, 2006 15:52

Thanks for standing up. Would have loved to be with you but I am away on a similar business.
Philip

by Madam K Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:14

Peacefull occupation of Corrib House took place at 12.30.
Confused staff at Shell HQ didn`t know how to react as shell to sea occupied the lobby while others invaded the roof top.Locks were placed on the front door while those inside sat down .When requested to leave the protesters politely refused.Garda were called.

Bolt cutters were required before Garda could gain access then protesters were told to leave again they refused to do so and maintained a peacefull sit down for the next couple of hours .Meanwhile a larger crowd gathered outside.

Those on the roof were told to get down because of "safety issues " they responded wih statement of their concerns for the safety of the local population along the proposed pipeline.

More photos to come also Revolt Video footage of days events.

Outside office

lobby closed down

supporters young and old

.

by Jim Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:19

$hells HQ were occupied today over lunchtime by activists from Shell to Sea Dublin
Members of Shell to Sea occupied the lobby of the Headquarters of Shell at the Leeson Street Bridge. Other protestors occupied the roof of the building while supporters and media gathered outside. After about 15 minutes Shell's cops arrived and were seen taking orders direclty from Shell management.

Shell HQ Occupied

Closed and locked

Cops do Shells dirty work

by Jim Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:26

After the cops broke the lock the occupation inside the HQ continued with a sit down protest while members of Shell to Sea also occupied the roof....

The Gardai took direction from a Shell executive and told protestors to come down off the roof for health and safety reasons. The protestors responded that the health and safety of the people of Rossport was been jeopardised by the pipeline and the actions of the Gardai who have been punching, choking and bruising residents of Rossport.

Shells cops

Shell executive directs cops

"Would you ever come down off that roof"

by Johnnie Doyle Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:27

Today protesters took direct action at Shell HQ (c)
(c) Some images

by Jim Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:30

There was lots of media interests with photographers, radio and tv crews arriving on the scene and there was a good turnout from general supporters of the Shell to Sea campaign...

radio interview

rte

Shell to Hell

by Helper Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:36

Shell can't force their dangerous pipeline on the people of Ireland if this sort of thing keeps up. B.t.w. there are chains (usually with hexagonal cross sections) that can't be cut with manual bolt cutters. Kryptonite Fuhgeddaboutit comes with an especially nice heavy padlock (which is usually the weak point).

by Johnnie Doyle Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:39

©

by W. Finnerty. Wed Oct 11, 2006 16:44

"In reality, and with due regard for the value of the gas reserves in question (believed to be in the region of 50 BILLION EUROS), it seems to me the entire nation is being bullied and abused in an extremely major way - by virtue of the fact that the Government, the Oil Barons, and the Media Barons, all appear to be acting as one: against the 'common good' of the people of Ireland."

The above piece of text, together with a link to the "You Tube" page containing the "Rossport" videos, was sent earlier today to a selection of leaders and observers. Further information regarding the e-mail in question can be seen at:

http://www.europeancourtofhumanrightswilliamfinnerty.co...l.htm

For future reference purposes, Yahoo message identification and tracking information is included at the above address.

by NH Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:28

Just out of interest- what happened afterwards? Were the protestors names taken or were they arrested or just let go?

by rory - PBPA Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:32

People Before Profit Alliance calls for public support for Shell to sea protests

People Before Profit Alliance calls for public support for Shell to sea protests

What is happening in Mayo summarises accurately Celtic Tiger Ireland. While Ahern stumbled through corruption allegations the peaceful protests by the people of Rossport and surrounding areas were being forcefully broken up by the Gardai. Democracy, the law and the wishes of local communities were being swept away by Ahern’s government, intent on serving only the naked greed of big corporations. Ahern and Fianna Fail are not a party of the people but of Shell.
Contrary to the portrayal in the media this is not a story of a small community stopping progress. This is a small community taking a stand against a state and corporation involved in the biggest scandal in the history of our state- the give away of our natural gas. Because of this the Irish people will have to pay the same price for gas if it comes from Britain or Corrib. This project could benefit us if the gas was taken back into state ownership.
The total value of the Corrib gas field is estimated at around 45 billion euro while the Dunquin gas field, from which Tony O Reilly recently benefited 1.5 billion, is estimated to be worth substantially more.
The fight of the people of Rossport is the fight of every community being ridden rough shod over by developers and big corporations. It is a fight for democracy, a fight for the principle that the resources of Ireland should benefit the people of Ireland.
Hundreds of gardai have been drafted in and thousands of euros will be wasted on keeping them there for months. How better could those resources be used in our underfunded hospitals and schools?
The people of Rossport need our support. People Before Profit was supporting the occupation of Corrib house in Dublin today and will be on the pickets at Shell and Statoil stations around the country and we also encourage those who can to go to Mayo to support their protests. Unions, communities and opposition parties need to take to the streets and raise their voices too.
The truth is Shell have not changed their plans one centimetre from the original proposed pipeline. For the safety of the community and in respect for democracy the gas should be processed at sea.
It is time to re-negotiate the Corrib and other gas deals away from profiting the big oil and gas corporations to benefiting the people of Ireland. Ireland’s natural resources wealth should be used to develop an unprecedented expansion and improvement of our public health care, education and transport infrastructure.
Irish politicians would do well to re-read the founding programme of Dail Eireann which they are supposed to follow: “It shall be our duty to promote the development of the Nation's resources…in the interests and for the benefit of the Irish People”.

For information contact Rory Hearne PRO People Before Profit Alliance
086 1523542
www.people-before-profit.org

by Rosie Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:33

Well done to all of you and thanks for the posting Elinor....

by Jim Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:48

The protestors were let go without any actions by the Gardaí as far as I'm aware - it seems that Shell are keen to avoid arrests because they learned that this can lead to bad publicity.

by Arise Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:50

The basic gist of what happened was that inside the garda took names, numbers and dates of birth of the 7 activists. They didn't do this for the rooftop activists, harder to get to I guess. We were occuping the building for 2 hours and at 2 o' Clock collectively decided to walk out and the roof top crew came down. (we were not 'removed' as the media suggest.) It was a very sucessful protest and fair play to all involved. The garda would not make any arrest as at the moment they are trying very hard not to draw attention to the brutality they are responsible for in Erris. Besides Shell couldn't deal with the bad PR now. Solidarity.

by Starstruck - Dublin Shell to Sea Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:51

The decision was made by those on the roof and those inside in conjunction with the support demonstrration that had gathered outside of about 30 people that the occupation had been successful and would be suspended(till the next time).
This was due to a number of reasons-the occupiers felt they were guaranteed safer passage away after over 2 hours of occupation by the numbers outside who could protect them from possible arrest and other police harassment.
As this campaign looks set to continue long term,it was felt that in order to continue the escalation of actions in the coming weeks and months,arrests were not an option today.
It was felt that ne of the many objectives of the action-to highlight the fact that the campaign is not isolated to NW Mayo had been achieved by the attraction of all the major and many of the more minor TV,Radio and Newspaper organisations.
The people inside the building had their names taken and those on the roof received no Garda attention when they descended surrounded by their comrades.
The action today was a great success and we hope it lifted even higher and steadfastened the spirits in Mayo-not that they need any!
The struggle goes on-

Onwards!

by MichaelY - iawm Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:54

Your action and courage should be an example to all of us.
Solidarity

by Shell to Sea Wed Oct 11, 2006 17:59

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=24213...37168

by ('',) Wed Oct 11, 2006 18:11

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1011/corrib.html

by ('',) Wed Oct 11, 2006 18:13

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/10/353255.html

by Yul Wed Oct 11, 2006 18:48

....Starstruck, do you really think this type of national media exposure helps your cause? I would question that personally.

by JayQ Wed Oct 11, 2006 18:52

Glad to see that the will of the people is being expressed across the country, in spite of the lapdogs in goverment, and the blindly obedient boys and gals in blue...

Hope to be able to do my bit soon...

by Maura harrington - S2S; Davitt League Wed Oct 11, 2006 19:06

A sincere thanks from all of us here in Nth. Mayo seeing at first hand the unfolding fallout of the Burke/Bertie decisions in the period 1987-1992.

Powder puffs in Leinster House huff about Manchester handouts, houses etc. etc. - ANYTHING to avoid the elephant in the corner, the giveaway of our own oil and gas. Shell tried the same caper in Russia in that same period, when oil traded at $10 a barrel. Their cosy PSA's (Production Sharing Agreements) of that time are now coming down around their ears as Russia re-exerts its rights to control of its natural resources.

A prime Stock Market indicator of oil companies investment potential is their Reserves Replacement Ratio. Shell's RRR is the worst of the oil majors which has serious implications for the company because, believe it or not, very shortly Shell is going to have to gobble up smaller oil cos (as they did with Enterprise Oil - a right pig in the poke that was!) or else they face being gobbled themselves.

Now to Shell/FF/FG/PD apologists who post their perceived insults - 'medieval', 'anti progress' etc. etc. I say that none of us came down in the last shower; we are informed, well-read, articulate and bloody determined. We know that the Shell to Sea campaign is part of the new mindset which is essential if functioning, rational, sustainable society is to prevail.

Editor's Note: Abuse edited out.

Solidarity and Respect will win out.

by shell2sea Wed Oct 11, 2006 19:25

The market value per one trillion cubic feet of Corrib gas is €8.4 billion, putting the potential value of the Corrib and surrounding fields for Shell and its partners in excess of €50.4 billion.

by SHELL TO HELL. Wed Oct 11, 2006 20:49 initialstone at gmail dot com

Nice one to all involved in today`s protest. I`m just wondering if it`s possible to begin a boycott of shell, it worked well in times past, and it`s probably the most frightening thing that could reach the shell likes of the shellites! so how about some "Do`nt buy shell" posters and stickers etc. I think it would greatly add to the present campaign. And also thanks for the text, hope you keep me posted on further events.

by Neil Ward - LY Wed Oct 11, 2006 22:07

Fair play to all involved today - I'm laid up in bed at the moment, but was delighted to see the pictures of what was a terrific action.

by Jerry Cornelius - Mercers Guild Thu Oct 12, 2006 11:15

Do the Gardai have nothing better to do than to hassle and arrest peace abiding people? Why can't they find 170 guards to send to Moyross? Not only cant they find extra guards to send to Moyross, they withdrew Guards from Limerick to send them to oppress the people of Mayo!

Plenty of money to provide mercenaries for Shell but no extra Gardaí to defend the people of Moyross from murderous thugs.

by Susan says... Thu Oct 12, 2006 14:54

Those of us in the lobby were treated to a rather surreal pantomime on the part of Shell and an Garda Siochana; the sergeant on duty did his best to play the strong man demanding that we leave a number of times. upon hearing us refuse, he huffed off only to return deflated with the news that our demand for a meeting with Shell management would be met, but only four of us seven could remain. We refused this condition and again he huffed off, only for a Shell PR person to emerge nonetheless. Shell representative Susan Shannon was treated to an hour long grilling about the sins of Shell in Erris and around the world. She seemd ignorant of Shell's role in ordering death squads upon the indigenous people of Nigeria, and could only respond with a blanket denial. Not surprising since she said that she would never work for a company that committed murder.

What was surprising was her admission of Shell's culpability in the poisonous pollution that is causing cancer and other illness in Durban, South Africa. As groundwork.org write: "Investigative studies by a local journalist have shown that the rate of leukaemia in South Durban may be up to 24 times higher than in other parts of South Africa. A study by the University of Natal medical school found that children in the suburbs south of Durban “are up to four times likely to suffer from chest complaints than children from other areas of the city” of Durban." The pollution emanates from the SAPREF refinery located in residential areas of Durban; this operation was made possible by the fact that apartheid regime which made the deal with Shell cared little for the fate of the 250, 000 mainly black residents of the immediate vicinity. Clearly in Susan's little world of doublethink, such total disdain for the lives of others doesn't actually count as murder, or so she says to herself every day.

Neither Susan nor her colleague Louise could provide us with any answers as to what action they would take should the protests at Bellanaboy continue. They kept repeating words like dialogue and permission, while failing to recognise that they have no permission from the people of Erris to site their refinery onshore, and they are not going to receive it. They seemd confident that there were people in Erris who supported their project but were silenced when we asked whether any of these supporters weren't on their payroll. They felt that Ireland was getting a good deal from their operations, despite the fact that they could write all their costs off in tax, and Irish people will have to pay market rates for the gas that is being refined with their tax money.

It would take intellectual gymnastics to keep up with the nonsense that Shell are trying to spin, but we know that behind their polished facade lies a history of murder and destruction. The struggle continues; Shell to Hell!

by chrissie Thu Oct 12, 2006 17:35

please do ANYTHING you can to support Shell to Sea's campaign - urgently needed is information on this situation & Shell' s history of abuses (see Amnesty International archive) - tell it all over these islands, Europe, USA, the world!