Rossport Solidarity Action At Irish Embassy London

by jim Sat Sep 15, 2007 16:40

Shell garage action in Bristol, UK on Friday 14th in solidarity with Bellanaboy demo
Bristol Rising Tide did a solidarity demo at the Shell Garage on Muller Road, Eastville, Bristol from 5:30 till 7:30. It was small but perfectly formed, with good leaflets (thanks to Rossport Solidarity posse) and banners (thanks to clever trevor).

Several drivers changed their minds and went elsewhere for their petrol when they saw us or spoke to us about what is going on in Rossport at Shell's behest. We handed out leaflets at the zebra crossing, where bored and exasperated drivers were trapped in their little metal boxes carping, honking and scratching at each other like battery chickens. It gave them something to read in the extensive traffic jam that sat next to the garage.
Several Irish passers-by showed particular interest.

The forecourt was almost completely empty most of the time we were there, so we effectively shut it down without any police action or other such quotidian aggro.

Photos were taken and will appear shortly if fortune and our silicon masters smile upon us.

Our press release is below.

STARTS

We are at the Shell petrol station on Muller Road in Bristol today (Sep 14th) occupying the forecourt in protest against Shell’s treatment of the people of Rossport, in County Mayo, Ireland.

From 6pm we will be there, in solidarity with the community of Rossport, who have been imprisoned, beaten and intimidated by the Irish police at Shell’s request.

We are activists from Bristol Rising Tide, a group who campaigns about climate change and human rights.

Shell want to build a dangerous and environmentally destructive gas pipeline and refinery right next to people’s houses on unstable marsh land. There is massive opposition in the local community and there has been support for their struggle across Ireland and internationally, with many Shell garages being targeted for demos.

In 2005, 5 men were jailed for 3 months for refusing to allow Shell access to their land. Following their imprisonment the community set up a picket at the proposed refinery site, stopping work for over a year. Last autumn, large numbers of police moved into the area and beat the community off the streets. Numerous people were hospitalized and the police brutality has been internationally condemned. More recently state repression has involved the initiation of malicious prosecutions against prominent local campaigners. Despite the strong forces working against them, the community continues to resist. We are here in support of their struggle.

ENDS
Contact: Bristol Rising Tide 07988 460373 or 07983 350021

by terry Sat Sep 15, 2007 16:47

solidarity action in UK co-inciding with Bellanaboy blockade
Yesterday morning at 8am, a banner was hung over the A58 /Leeds Inner Ring Road in solidarity with the day of action against Shell's plans for a gas pipeline & refinery in Mayo, Ireland. see link for photo

by j Sat Sep 15, 2007 23:49

well done!