International Solidarity With Shell To Sea

international | anti-capitalism | other press Friday January 04, 2008 17:49 by Johnny H - CYM

In mid December, the Connolly Youth Movement sent out the following message to all members of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, to raise awareness and solidarity about the situation in Mayo.

"Today in Ireland, the Shell and Statoil Oil companies are building a dangerous pipeline through a community in Mayo and putting the lives of the local community at risk.

In June 2005, the Rossport 5 were jailed for their opposition to the construction of the Corrib gas pipeline through their land. Due to enormous public pressure put on the government by the supporters of the five imprisoned men, they were released 4 months later. After this, a national campaign emerged to continue their opposition to the pipeline, this struggle continues today. The CYM opposes the sale of Irish resources the foreign corporations undermining the health and safety of the Rossport community. The deal done with Shell dates back to 1987 when Minister Ray Burke, later convicted of corruption, abandoned the policy of 50% public ownership of any newly discovered gas or oil. This act means that Irish people will see nothing of the millions that Shell make out of the Corrib gas field.

For more information: http://www.corribsos.com/

The CYM requests support and solidarity from comrades in countries with Statoil and Shell sites to protest and picket them. One Saturday a month the CYM pickets Shell sites in Dublin and members attend demonstrations at the site in Mayo. The police have used heavy handed tactics and intimidation in an attempt to stop the protestors but the struggle goes on today.

If you want to know more then visit,

http://www.cym.ie/campaigns

Or e-mail connollyyouth@hotmail.com

Le meas (with respect),
Gareth Murphy
CYM Gen. Sec. "

The CYM received a number of responses of support and solidarity, including the following one from the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE):

"Dear comrades

Thank you for your information about your struggle against the plan by great monopolies to build gas pipelines through your land. Here in Greece already two pipelines have been established, one of gas and the other of oil. They try to persuade us that these pipelines are the bridge of peace and friendship between the peoples. But with our struggles against them in Greece, we disclosed that these pipelines are for the game of profit for enterprise and big business. People won't gain anything from them but on the contrary will lose their rights and a new round of wars and conflicts will soon face us from the imperialist centre of transportation through pipelines in Balkans of oil and gas. Therefore KNE is sending the deepest solidarity message in our common struggles.

Comradely,
IRC OF CC OF KNE"

It is encouraging that our comrades around the world are united with us in struggle and the CYM will continue to raise awareness about Shell To Sea through our international affliations as much as possible. Long live the struggle!