The biggest Protest yet against the US Military use of Shannon Airport took place on Saturday 12th October. After a pretty standard protest – (some pushing and shoving at the entrance to the airport, speeches, an open mic, a funny standoff between a group of public representatives and the Police, music, chanting, a die-in) – a number of activists took down the fence marking the airport perimeter and initiated a mass Trespass on the grass beside a runway.

Lots of first hand accounts and reports from individuals and groups involved in the protest have been posted on Indymedia since the weekend and these have generated a huge level of debate centered around the mass direct action, the way the protest was organized and conducted, and the numerous arrests that took place in the course of the trespass. The event was widely reported in the mainstream media and has greatly increased public awareness of US Military use of the airport in the buildup to a possible war in Iraq. >

Reports Collected Below:

6 Arrested according to RTE

Cork Peace Alliance Press Release

Irish Anti War Movement Report

Mass Trespass Report

Salivating Dogs at Shannon

Anti War Questions Read Previous Article

A protest against an international privatisation conference at Dublin's Burlington hotel turned violent when the Gardai (Irish police) attacked protesters with batons. They were aided by a number of non uniformed men armed with sticks and torches, some of who may have been political police (Special Branch) but others appeared to be private security.

One of the non uniformed men attacked photographers including this reporter, attempting to smash their cameras to the ground. Under the attack the protesters retreated out of the hotel car park and down the street. At least twelve were arrested and at least two protesters received head wounds. The one pictured below appears to be the less serious of the two.

After I gave my camera to someone else to take care of I returned to demand the name of the person who had tried to smash it. At this stage he was at the centre of a group of uniformed Gardai. Some of these had removed their numbers from their uniforms.

The referendum on the Nice treaty on October 19th has produced a flurry of campaigning groups canvassing holding meetings and protests:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 for a No vote.
It as also produced some lively debate on the newswire 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
The Yes side includes major business organisations , most of the main political parties, farmers groups , the trade unions and Bono .
The resources of the Yes side are clearly higher, which might explain the posters. 1 2 3
A key issue for many IMCers is article 133 and its effect on Public Services: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Though politicians have been somewhat reluctant to discuss the issue.
While the yes side have had some problems , some unpleasant characters are calling for a no vote.
There have been complaints of media bias and activists are monitoring of the balance of the corporate media coverage. 1 2
Previous Indymedia Nice Treay features are here and here.
Read the Nice treaty for your self here.

Some 1,000 people gathered on St Stephens Green to party in Dublin's' Reclaim the Streets event, coinciding with European car free day (not that you would know it was that in Dublin!).
According to one participant: "The day has been good so far. It's been a good turnout and the cops have been well behaved. RTS is a self organised space, everyone can play a part and not just consume. It's about empowerment and having a good time."
The party was preceded by a Critical Mass . Unlike last year's car free day which a saw a number of arrests or the Mayday RTS which saw a Garda riot, the Gardai were peaceful.
This was despite some over excitable media build up.

Full story here , another report here . Pics at 1 2 3 4

Some IMC contributors paid a visit to one of Fine Gael's forums on the Nice Treaty at which Peter Sutherland - in reply to an IMC question about the complexities of Article 133 of the Treaty - gave a very honest answer.
"He kindly confirmed that the General Agreement on Trade and Services can be ratified post-Nice without ever being debated in, much less subject to the approval of, a National or European parliament or any other form of democratic institution."
In the course of his answer he mentioned three groups - the EU Commission, The Council of Ministers and the Article 133 Committee as being the groups with the combined power to sign the EU as a whole up to GATS. When did anyone ever vote for one of these groups? They are all appointees rather than elected representatives. And who are the 133 Committee anyway? Try Google. You will get more info from a simple search about this shadowy group than the EU will ever give you.
Article continues here

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