Shell to Sea - press statement on intimidation...

Thursday October 12, 2006 16:37

by Admin - Shell to Sea

"Shell to Sea does not engage in or condone intimidation."

Over the last two weeks the Shell to Sea campaign has been subjected to a coordinated assault designed to de-legitimise and criminalise local opposition to Shell’s project in Mayo. On the one hand, a large force of Gardai has been deployed to facilitate Shell’s resumption of work.

Garda policing of local protests has become increasingly aggressive and is adding to tensions on the ground. Numerous incidents have been logged by monitors and will be pursued in due course. On the other hand, a concerted campaign has been waged by some sections of the media alleging
that our campaign is centred on intimidation and effectively run by
subversive elements.

Gardai protecting multinationals

The reality is that Shell’s project does not have the consent of the
majority of the people directly affected by it. We are defending
peacefully our community from the unprecedented threat to our health and safety
posed by this project. Almost no benefits other than short-term
construction jobs will arise from this project to our community and the people
of Mayo. The fiscal terms governing the project ensure no benefits
whatsoever will accrue to the people of Ireland.

Shell to Sea does not engage in or condone intimidation. We are the
property of no political party and no political ideology. We are grounded
in our community and in those large numbers of people nationally and
internationally who willingly support us. Smearing the genuine concerns
of people will not obscure the reality of our support nor the
reasonableness and validity of our arguments.

Finally, we note that the three men arrested by Gardai this morning are
local fishermen and note that these arrests come two days after a
statement supporting our campaign from the Erris Inshore Fishermen’s
Association.

For verification contact Mark Garavan 087-9023687

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Comments (5 of 5)

NEWSTALK one side of the story !

by Mick Butler - CFSD

Thu Oct 12, 2006 17:48

I phoned newstalk re reports of "assaults" on police and the 3 arrests this morning. I made the point that the station's already wholly unbalanced covereage was further exacerabated today by the non reporting of injuries meted out to the s2s people by the Gardai.

The reporter said to please contact the newsdesk re any of that stuff from our side, ie who have been assaulted by the police. Their phone no is 01 6445100. They did seem stung by the assertion, written and spoken ,of biased coverage. Regardless of O'Brien tax exile owner, they will not want to have their bias highlighted. A large picket on their office in Dublin might not go amiss either and inform their competitors of same if they continue their pattern. Information is power.

In solidarity

Beir Bua M B

Matt Cooper is now interviewing Dr Cowley

by C Murray

Thu Oct 12, 2006 18:17

17.04pm( you can pick it up on the net)

Jerry sounds exhausted but very angry.

The puritan mainstream are harping on the Garda Bill: 640,000 euros and who should pay!!!!!

Maybe Bertie should.

Its a good interview.

The Gardai are in for a four week tour , so the bill will probably rise a bit.

How Much did it cost the multis to incarcerate five men and take them away from their families?

How much did it cost the families to be separated for so long from their loved ones?

People are entitled to be compensated for the harassment and abuse that they have suffered

at the hands of the State who have put the interests of the few above those of the community,

Like in Pallaskenry, Tara and Poolbeg.

Solidarity.

Shell's PR Blitz

by m.m.mccarron - o.s.i.

Fri Oct 13, 2006 08:11

Great appreciation is due to all persons who carry out monitoring activities on the ground and who do media watch. It is quite obvious that Shell interprets the problem in PR/Media terms. All of their energy is going into this and not towards solving the problem. It is amazing how few media people actually speak directly and record fairly what the affected and protesting peoply have to say. They have the problem; it is arrogant of anyone else to presume to speak for them regarding life, health and safety. Beyond this personal human issue there are several others which are important but not immediate. They are the ver y legitimate issues of wider national constituencies and will have to be dealt with and their exposure for debate in the media is welcomed. For now life, health and safety is the focus of the blitz.

The right to work is understandable and the State is supposed to provide jobs. However stress may be happening when workers, to earn a wage, are being employed to work against the life, health and safety of a community. That work has to be confronted as has the compulsory acquisition orders.

The Irish Examiner asked some pertinent questions yesterday and why the lack of arrests at the terminal gate and the arrest of the Rossport 5. Shell responded that it had no authority on the public land outside Bellanaboy gate but had in the fields of Rossport owned by some of the Rossport 5. The CPOs are in action already.
Shell has colonised part of Rossport. The owners have no power in their own fields.

The Dail adjourned early on 4 of the last 5 days because it ran out of business. Extraordinary in face of Bellanaboy. What an insult to local citizens! This is the casualness of the Dail that sees lack of debate on issues like Rossport.

Constitutional Ammendments are Urgently Required

by Flynn - agrescon@agrescon.nl

Fri Oct 13, 2006 16:25

And now the Fishermen, who know what mess the Multinationals make, they too are scratching their heads at where their Constitutional rights have gone, which are at the Pinnacle of European, International, and Maritime Law. Shell has no Right to ammend, abridge, omit, countermand, the Irish Constitution only the Irish People reserve that Right, the first rule in Observation is this, dont look for whats supposed to be there, look for whats not supposed to be there ! Where are the Politicians ? Where are the Guardians? the Judiciary? the Courts ? The Army? the Navy ? The Garda ? have they no Constitutional alliegiance ? They should be Impeached, sacked or if they have any Honour , in the name of the Republic RESIGN !

CONSTITUTION now !

Sun Oct 15, 2006 21:15

I am not a religious person but I have no concerns at all in hearing that the Rosary is being said at the "protect" pickets. I do however very much look forward to seeing laminated colour placards of the Constitution and perhaps extracts from this document appended to same.

For example, under the section headed : FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS Article 40 3.2: The State shall, in particular, by its laws protect as best it may from unjust attack and, in the case of injustice done, vindicate the life person good name and property rights of every citizen.

OR / AND

Article 41.1 : The State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.

Or whatever other Constitutional provision is pertinent to this issue. A lot of Irish people could tell you what the American constitutional "Fifth Amendment" is, you will not find many who could cite relevant IRISH constitutional provisions and protections.

It is long past the time of letting the Constitution being the preserve of the rich, to be used to protect them, sure thing they have their rights, so do we.

Lets hope we will start to use it ,lest we will lose it !

SOLIDARITY

M B

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Shell to Sea - press statement on intimidation...

Comments (5 of 5)