Support local campaigns too!

galway | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis Tuesday May 22, 2007 22:48 by gníomhaí

I'm involved with a few national issues at the moment but, in my opinion, activists often neglect their own area.....

There are no shortage of vital national (and international) campaigns but it's perhaps a symptom of globalisation that a lot of activists actually know, for example, the Israeli/Palestine issue better than ongoing campaigns in their own locality.

This is not to take away from these very important issues- we should all be aware of what is going on in the world, fighting for justice in the world, giving support to our oppressed brothers and sisters around the world but it's quite ironic if we act more on issues taking place on the other side of the world, things we have little (relatively speaking) control over.

So, by all means support Rossport and the tara campaigns etc., but be aware of what is happening around you too. An example could be Galway. Frank Fahey's buddies here plan on pushing through a bypass which will do little to alleviate traffic problems, will destroy Menlo (an area of outstanding beauty on Lough Corrib) and will make huge amounts of money for a greedy few. Now, Menlo cannot be compared to tara, the most sacred site in Ireland, but nevertheless, it's a campaign which is largely ignored....
Please don't forget about the small, not so glamorous issues.....