Shell to Sea Picket on Munster Garda HQ

by John - Cork s2s Sun Nov 19, 2006 17:29

One interesting and significant thing I noticed while on this protest was that on several occasions we, the protestors were approached by individual and groups of youths asking us what we were doing there. When we explained they unanimously expressed levels of rage and hatred toward the Gardai that we, even those of us who had experienced beatings in Mayo could not hope to and would not want to match. A question for any Gardai reading this and anyone else who is interested. Where does this rage come from? I do not believe that these kids are naturally hateful or violent. Could it be that even at that relatively young age they or members of their families have already experienced mistreatment at the hands of the Gardai? prolonged mistreatment judging by the level of invective employed and if so how do the Gards hope to maintain law and order while feeding such feelings. Only surmising, only asking, don't believe all Gardai are hateful and violent either but events in Mayo should give us all pause for thought, none more than members of the force who wish to remain true to their mission statement which I quote from receipt handed to us by desk sergeant.

To achieve the highest level of Personal Protection, Community Commitment and State Security.

Ahem.

by Pat Kauba - S2S supporter Sat Nov 18, 2006 01:36

Again sorry 'bout caption

by Pat - S2S supporter Sat Nov 18, 2006 01:34

Sorry about captions again

by Pat - S2S supporter Sat Nov 18, 2006 01:30

Sorry about lack of captions forgot to take names

by Elinor - Cork Shell to Sea Sat Nov 18, 2006 01:16

Sorry about lack of captions

by Ray - Cork Shell to Sea Fri Nov 17, 2006 23:13 corkshelltosea at gmail dot com

In protest at the behaviour of members of an Garda Síochána last Friday in Erris and in protest at the orders that were issued there and then, the Cork branch of Shell to Sea picketed the Garda headquarters in Cork at Anglesea St. between 8 and 10 (and beyond) on Friday morning, handing in a letter of protest.

For a second time, Cork Shell to Sea picketed the Garda station at Anglesea St. to show that neither we nor the people of Erris will be intimidated by the bullyboy tactics and violent actions perpetrated by Shell’s blue-uniformed (and sometimes plainclothes) goons in Mayo or beyond. Starting at a chilly 8am, we had our placards at the ready and we leafleted the passing traffic and pedestrians. There was good evidence of public support with occasional crescendos of beeping cars capable of being heard in the Guards’ soundproofed lair. Once again, one sympathetic kind-hearted citizen paid for loads of coffee and tea for us in the café juice bar across the street – many thanks from all present. There was also increased media interest with local radio recording interviews on the spot, and good publicity in the hours leading up.
About halfway through a deputation of Cork S2S entered the station to present our letter of protest. This was achieved in a civil and peaceful manner but not without trouble. One of our number who had a camera was accused of taking photographs inside a Garda station, but after some reasoned argument the Gardaí on duty were satisfied no snapping took place. At least one of the Guards took a copy of the letter to read for themselves, which is a good thing since it asks members of the force to examine their consciences about what happened last Friday in Erris and what the Gardaí have done up there and elsewhere in this land since the Rossport 5 were taken off to jail.
Ever the costumed super-hero, Pat the Picket was there using his superpowers to make sure the streets of Cork were free from baton-happy policemen. We were even joined for a while by a pair of escaped convicts whose presence intrigued us greatly. Sure they were in prison stripes but they weren’t scary, far from it. When we asked what they were doing there they said they wanted to join the Garda Reserve but they were afraid to go in there after what they saw on the telly last Friday. Even jailbirds on the run don’t think beating up people is fun or proper behaviour!

by Aaron Mc Barnabus - Cork Shell to Sea Fri Nov 17, 2006 23:08

Cork Shell to Sea encourages other groups and indeed individuals to adopt and adapt the text below, print it out and send it to your local Garda station without delay!

To members of An Garda Siochana, men and women of the media and the general public

We, being free citizens of Cork City and members of Shell to Sea on this day of November 17th 2006 do hereby condemn in the strongest possible terms the actions in Erris, Co Mayo of An Garda Siochana and our elected government.

We consider the beating of women and men last Friday and previous actions by Gardai in Erris to be a blatant attempt to silence and intimidate at the behest of a corrupt government, that in giving away this country’s assets and in it’s refusal to engage in independent negotiations with Shell to Sea has revealed that it no longer serves the people, if indeed it ever did.

We applaud the courage of all those who are standing up to such bullying and we steadfastly refuse to be intimidated by such crude and brutal tactics. We stand foursquare with the people of Erris in their resistance to Shell, Statoil, our government and the theft of our natural resources.

We call on all Gardai who consider themselves worthy of the name An Garda Siochana or Guardians of the Peace to refuse to participate in these activities, to question orders they disagree with and to support the people they are meant to serve.

We would remind everyone that democracy has always developed through the courageous actions of those who think for themselves and question the status quo, often breaking unjust laws and risking their freedom and lives in the process. It has never been helped by blindly following orders.

We call on members of the public to take note of this and to assist the cause of Shell to Sea in whatever ways they can. Many of us will be travelling to Mayo on Friday 24th this month in solidarity with the people of Erris. We encourage you to take time off work and to do the same.

The future of this country and indeed the world hang in the balance. We all have a role to play in ensuring the best possible future for succeeding generations.

by beautiful work Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:58

Nice to see people giving support and to see real genuine people
still exsist in Ireland today.
Buying that food and stuff for people was a genuine act he did it for no gain of his own but because he wanted to .
Something we see very little of today.