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feature
 Tuesday May 11, 2004 19:56 by Indymedia Editorial Group - Indymedia Ireland
 Protesters Begin Mobilising: "Dromoland Castle like a scene from Macbeth" sez Wag
The Gardai meanwhile are already involved in a police operation in the area of Shannon and have been knocking on residents doors. Police also recently heavily outnumbered protesters in Cork who turned out early in the morning to greet the Republican cabinet member Tommy Thompson. In an opinion piece (which went unpublished in the Irish Times) Fintan Lane who took part in the protest assesses the lessons of the recent Mayday protests for those planning to lay on a protest when Bush arrives in late June. While the IAWM and AWI compete for space in the media and on the ground in the run-up to the visit others discuss tactics and the value of a populist approach Latest Security Update From Shannon
We have been receiving reports today of members of the Gardai are calling to houses in Shannon asking people if they are involved in any organisations that might pose a threat to George Bush or if they know anyone who might pose such a threat.
It appears that the Gardai are involved in an intensive canvas in Shannon and Newmarket-on-Fergus and the rural areas between Shannon and Dromoland Castle as part of the security operation for Bush’s visit in June. The entire operation smacks of the McCarthy witch hunts in the 1950’s in the USA, “are you or have you ever been opposed to Bush’s war in Iraq?”.
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Comments (31 of 31)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31We don't want him to come to grief on our watch.
i didn't vote for him
That's democracy dude!!
This is incredible, though I suppose we shouldn't be surprised considering last weekend's massive security operation in Dublin and the scaremongering that preceded it.
Our right to protest is being challenged. Clearly, one of the best responses that anti-war campaigners can make is to turn up in huge numbers for the peaceful protest in Shannon on Friday evening, June 25th. There will be an attempt to deflect us with nonsense stories about the 'threat of violence' and so on. We need to be alert to this in the run-up to the Bush visit.
Apart from actually turning up and mobilising for the planned protests, people need to speak out against this subtle and not-so-subtle intimidation now. Local groups need to highlight such instances, as Dominic has done here.
Fintan, just wondering if AWI have called for a specific tactic to be used on the day of the Bush visit - e.g. a blockade a la Dec 6th, or a mass trespass of the airfield, or...?
I know Galway Grassroots Network have called for a "noise" protest but I am unsure of the usefulness of this at an airport, all they have to do is rev the engine of Air Force One and it would be like we were never there...
Think that a blockade of the airport would be much better. Bush will probably be ferried around in a helicopter but they wont be able to bring all the dignitaries to Dromoland Castle that way.
Would the IAWM call for a blockade as well, or did all the people who called for it on Dec 6th leave for AWI?
(no offence or anything but you really should get a different name for yourselves)
There has been no decision taken yet on the form of protest, except that it will be non-violent in nature. The demonstration will assemble at 8pm and we hope to be in situ as Bush arrives.
We also intend compiling information on accomodation in the general area to facilitate those who have to travel long distances. Moreover, in addition to our website antiwarireland.org (which is in construction stage right now), we will soon be erecting a site dedicated entirely to Shannon airport. This will contain detailed updates in the lead-up to the June 25th demo.
I think Anti-War Ireland is a fine name. It'll grow on you, if you give it time!
Oooh you might regret that, organising accommodation... you should DEFINITELY talk to the Mayday heads about doing that. They will have some tales to tell you.
Also, a word of warning, spammers use a program called a spider which automatically picks up email addresses on internet sites and then floods them with ads for viagra etc. If you are putting up a contact then use the format (name AT somewhere DOT ie) or whatever. That way they wont pick up on it.
AWI sounds too close to ... well, you know. If you've decided to stick with it, good luck with it.
As an occasional Galwegian involved in the Grassroots, and in AmBush2004!, the Bush visit alliance that the Galway Grassroots group is participating in, I am confused by Grassrootser, sometimes' references to Galway Grassroots intentions for a noise protest at Shannon; perhaps something of this nature was mooted at some point, but are you sure you're not thinking of the Dublin Grassroots 'Bring the Noise' Mayday march to Farmleigh?
As far as I know, Galway Grassroots involvement in anti-Bush visit activity will be primarily directed into the AmBush campaign. The tactics AmBush! will pursue are still subject to discussion, but it is hoped at this point to facilitate some kind of international peace-camping activity in the environs of Shannon around the time of the visit.
For more info, see www.ambush2004.org
AmBush2004 has indicated that it wants folks to go to Shannon but is it clearly asking folks to support the Anti-War Ireland demo? It doesn't seem to be and it should.
By all means organize an additional anti-Bush event at Shannon but building the AWI Friday night protest (whatever shape that takes) has to be the priority. Thats my two cents anyway. You need to be clear about your support for the AWI demonstration.
An international peace camp sounds like a class idea, though. Hope you get it together!
The proposals that led to the formation of AmBush2004! predate the emergence of Anti-War Ireland.
Learning of the inaugural AWI meeting at short notice, due to take place the weekend before the meeting at which AmBush! would be initiated, a representative of what would become AmBush2004! went out of their way to make it to the AWI meeting to try and smooth the path of co-operation between the two initiatives. These efforts have been maintained. There is close and extremely amicable contact between participants in AmBush! and AWI with regard to the Bush visit. There is no conflict as far as I can see, and no reason why very smooth co-operation and mutual support should not be in evidence over the next two months and beyond.
I'm glad you like the peace camp idea, Joe, but you shouldn't presume things. You shouldn't presume that AmBush! is a runt of an initiative biting on the heels of AWI.
While it's clear what Anti-War Ireland are doing (demo in shannon on the friday evening) I can't make head nor tail of what Ambush are planning.
a giant anti-war fuck-off message to Bush and his war-mongering friends?
Yes, indeed the Shannon Gardai are going door to door surveying the occupants of houses inthe Shannon area. They aretaking the names of all the people living in houses in Shannon, the registration of vehicles and the names of visitors expected at the time of the Bush visit in june. This was confirmed by Gsgt John Sulivan of the Garda station at Shannon today.
He said that all house's in Shannon will be questioned but its not a canvass and that no one's human rights are being breached as in circumstance's you do not have to give you name or address to the Gardai and other times it is an offence.Superintendent John Kern who is now stationed fulltime at the station in the town on the run up to the presidential visit was unavailable for comment.
Last night i was talking to Gsgt Micheal O Connell also at Shanon Garda station "this was done for the Clinton visit.......every wanted to shake his hand".
Complaints have been made on the local radio station Clare FM.
Yesterday U.S. troops were again an there journey statesside after the American Trans Air tri-Star jet made an emergancy landing at Shannon airport on wednesday. There has been several emergancy landings by American warplanes at the airport in recent months. While talking to a Garda sargent from Galway who was on patrol at the perimiter fence last night, he told me that the plane has come from Afganastan and to his knowlege the troops had left earlier that day. The repaired plane is expected to leave Irish airspace today
There was very heavy security presence at Shannon Airport last night. There was a high profile meeting at The limerick Inn hotel attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. Gardai had a ring of Steel around the hotel with riot squad in protected Transit vans hiding at the back of the Two Mile Inn hotel nearby.
The Gardai have taken to following me around Shannon town on foot. Last week after making a statement to Superintendent Sean Corcoran who is investigating complaints made against a number of detectives in Shannon I was followed for over two miles around the town. These plain clothes members are not known to me and would not identify themselve to me. At one stage there was two on foot and serveral cars in pursuit causing total grid lock when i ran into a small cul de sac. They only stopped following me after I visited a local council member.
the intial story was about the Gardai prying into everyone's opinion and who will be staying at their houses while Bush is visiting.
there was a reaction from AWI and then...
lots of discussion about Ambush2004 tactics versus AWI???/ use e-mail or somethign will you... or have a thread on that topic.
eventually a comment or two appeared which were actually providing new information about the ORIGINAL STORY which is very interesting.
Can ye not learn some self discipline and not let general discussions bury the news updates?
"you do not have to give you name or address to the Gardai "
And this, while they are knocking at doors. Haven't they heard of the electoral register?
though I had already posted a comment to this, including a short report on May 1st Shannon demo... can't see it now.
Like Conor, I was followed through Shannon town by a Garda last week. The young fellah following me was in uniform though, but equally unresponsive. When I stopped to ask him if he intended to follow me for the rest of the day he just stared at me (nervously)
The obvious irony in todays actions is that the Gardai are eager to check every house in Shannon for any potential upset to George W Bush's ego.
Of course, not one garda has checked military cargo flights for items which pose a danger to innocent life and limb in Iraq, Afghanistan (deliberately) or Shannon (accident risk)
Gardai want all citisens accounted for during bush visit.
I just heard from a good friend of mine that the Gardai will be circulating forms to each household in County Clare. The forms will be requesting information on who lives in each house and who will be likely to be there during GW's visit. I find this news funny. The gardai must think how rediculous this is, if indeed it is true. I know exactly what I would do with their form. I hope the reciepients of said form will do the same. If anyone has any info , I'd be greatful.
Thats right, they are also issuing id cards to locals to pass the check pionts. These are being sent through the post. I have told one of the sargents in Shannon that I am expecting 5000 people round my house during this time so I will need a hand opening the letters for everyones id card.
Any willing helpers out there?
How's about, instead of everyone going to Clare, we have a month-long boycott of County Clare to show our disapproval?
Since certain individuals are banned from Clare, or from the vicinity of Shannon, should we not ensure that none of our money goes to Clare either?
= Don't buy any product made or processed in Clare.
Or why not have a 'Blockade of Co Clare' on the day or weekend of the Bush visit?
All those banned should make a point of going to Shannon and deliberately smashing the (illegal) banning orders in the face of the State and international TV crews - there will be no consequences that are negative to the movement and it will help banish this banning shit once and for all if we persist in vigorously challenging its validity on the ground.
My banning has been reduced from the whole of Clare to 1km around Shannon Airport by the High Court, and even this limited but equally unfounded ban is now on appeal to the Supreme Court - so the judicial battle is ongoing.
Subsequently the CW5 banning from Clare was reduced in Dublin Circuit Court to 5miles around Airport (this was their own application, pity about the imperialist measurement though ;o) and other cases will follow suit.
In light of all this there is a high liklihood the State will not push the issue of upholding the legally untenable ban on those already convicted. ie, this is a fairly comprehensive victory just waiting to be claimed.
BP
so far the Shannon peaceniks have killed approximately 0.00 people and are to be deterred ifnot prevented from going into a town that most people assumed was still a part of Eire.
dubya who is responsible for more deaths than his erstwhile allies (BinLaden and Saddam) will have serval roads blocked off just so his sensibilities are not offended
Shame on the clare gardai.
Clare FM 1850400964
or 065-6828888
or text them on 087-7964964
Why don't the citizens of area-Shannon question the local garda, asking them for names, i.d.s, addresses and who will be in their homes during Bush's visit? The citizens can claim that none of this information is required. However, citizens have a right to know this information in case any national or international laws are broken.
Yours,
Pheonix-
We are a land of story tellers who enjoy and are good at "acting the bollix"
What can we add to the already growing global justice movement that can best help?
Getting the message across to more and more people and get them involved.
A couple of thousand years of storytelling added to by the 800+ years under British rule had the result of turning us into creative and quirky storytelling creatures. In recent history this served as both a means of individual physical survival and also the ongoing survival of our stories, culture, etc due to things been "on the run", more or less
What do we love, what is it that has us, more or less loved the world over?
Our attitude to justice, be that for our own survival or to helping out in affairs of the world, and our massive sense of fun, messing, friendliness, humour, creativity, joking.
I say this having both briefly lived and done projects in both Croatia and Bosnia, where both sides welcomed me with open arms saying "your Irish, we are brothers due to our similar history" in both sides I have seen IRA graffiti and even tv programs about politics in Ireland. Similar experiences in Iran where the main street of Tehran is called Bobby Sands Street
On to messing and fun.
Can we engage with and challenge unfair global systems in a creative way?
Yes
In recent "anti-globalisation"/ "global justice" demonstrations we have seen many different tactics. I understand and support those that are black block but I do think that it is essential to be non-violent and non confrontational- to create an environment where all can come and indeed all want to come due to the carnival type atmosphere
After Farmleigh house demo with water cannon some remarked, in a negative way, about people acting the bollix (there can be different interpretations of what this phrase means, but for me is about joking and messing as much as possible in a way that knows and respects where the limits are)
As an example I refer you to an image of myself, frontline drenched after the cannon, dancing a luasca both to keep warm and as a further attempt to break the tense and sometimes violent atmosphere while others around were intent on violence
http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/may2004/bob_the_builder_1.jpg
There are 2 sides to the “battle”, the events of the day, and the bigger battle of challenging apathy and getting more involved- few support the rock throwers, dancing on streets, many like that.
It got me thinking and subsequently talking with a few people about what is really needed is for us to act the bollix more and more, dancing, frontline ceilis….make it fun
I was wondering could the Kilfenora ceili band even come out, support us and show they are against present US and bush system?
Everyone could participate
On another note, 3 of my grandparents are from Clare, my mother had to leave the farm and come to Dublin and I have spent much time living and wandering there. It is a magical place-
It is only recently in ireland that we have become less connected to our place, our home: both the land and this planet. That is the second thing I feel we have to offer this global justice movement- to remind people we live on this beautiful planet- that is really the driving force for me- attempting to become more aware of the reality of existence
Anyway back to Clare and this island- it has been a source of much spiritual energy for a long long time- the rocks of the burren and the magic in the air of east clare- during ecotopia some native Americans arrived over, they believe that this island is one of the magical spots of the earth and that strange things are about to happen (perhaps some others may expand on this). Others claim that Baghdad is one of the major points of the earth, where good and evil will battle.
Tuesday after mayday I went back to work and a trad musician friend of mine had been down around Feakle in Clare over the weekend and he too sensed strange things happening, a magical spiritual energy building, building, building….
So perhaps George Bush coming to Clare might just be the spark that (re)ignites that fire for life?
Then there is the story of how things unfold…
We in Ireland inform each other about what is going on in the world, this leads to shift in political landscape and a massive amount of people with the fact based idea that things have to change, both for ecological state of planet and for fairness for those living here-
This “green isle” then starts pushing on friends and family in the US, we can become an example to the world- just look at indymedia Ireland’s standing in Irish political land as opposed to IMC`s in other countries
Perhaps it all sounds a little fantastic, unrealistic and unlikely to happen. Perhaps you would say that in fact it is impossible for this story to become a reality.
That’s why I try to remind myself that I am alive on this planet in this universe- on thinking about it, it doesn’t really make sense, it all sounds so unrealistic and unlikely, massively so in fact. But the reality is that we do exist and if that’s possible the rest seems so much more likely……….
As undercurrents nicely wrote… the future is (y)ours
http://easa.antville.org/stories/756655/#775774
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=64799&search_text=facts%20vs%20facts
yesssssssss
sounds good to me,
take the piss big time and let em go fuck themselves,is that it?
you people at indymedia are giving the wrong impression.
why aren't you asking as well :-
would you have been against the legal occupation of Iraq?
followed by :-
Have you learnt the difference yet?
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/war
researcher
its an open system-so dont blame indymedia, you cant- its up to those that use it to add their views, tell their "passionate tellings of the truth", if you feel those arguments are true expand upon them.
the fact that most people are against war might be because they are more informed about the realities of this war and other global systems
re ACTING THE BOLLIX
id encourage play, creativity and respect
police are doing a job, thats the way
to provoke and taunt "yez are all fu**ing cu**s" is unproductive and immediately makes them shut off and see us as mere objects.
to attempt to engage with them and try to communicate with them, to get the issues accross, ie, why we are protesting, can be effective. when they go home and think perhaps they will see we are right.
while at fairford, main US airbase with the b52`s, last year we talked with the cops, eventually after banter and chat some actually said that "we are against this war too, but this is our job and we have to do it"
street theatre, stickers, flyers, respect and discussion all help-
focusing on this as communication and also how it can be used to engage with people not yet taking action is something i feel we pay too little attention to
bottom line-
know why we are there, communicate that, make it simple and open so that more can easily take action when they become informed
on another note,
i did feel that in england last year there was a trend thing going on "im a direct action/ black bloc/ womble" - "oh he is cool" type thing going on- demos and hanging out and action seemed all some were about
theres that and constantly trying to present the truth to more and more people, to get them involved- this does not mean its boring, on the contrary it is exciting
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=65129
Galway Jimmy who has done a lot of street theatre up there has 20 large puppets, some with harnesses. He's looking into props and we're still reflecting on the concept.
Some enthusiasm expressed from Cork. Have emailed Alex Cox ("Straight to Hell", "Sid & Nancy" "Repo Man") see if he's interested in directing. Running it by a few guys I'm working with who were extras in the soon to be released mega movie "King Arthur".
.
Galway Jimmy's got 25 cardboard cut out trees ( 5 foot in height look good) & 20 big puppets, working on an image of MacBush. We're still looking for the most appropriate MacBeth quote for a banner. Any suggestions?