Shell to Sea Picket Update

mayo | environment | news report

Monday September 25, 2006 17:15

by Text: Ruth & Terry Photos: Terry & Niall - Rossport Solidarity Camp

At 15.40pm three cops, one plain-clothes, two uniform, D reg car, were at the Shell to Sea picket H.Q. trailer filming. These police are now (16.05pm) at gate 2 of the Ballinaboy site. They are filming Shell to Sea activist Maura Harrington on the public road, when questioned why they said it was routine, the cop filming does not have identification numbers on his uniform.
We got word today at 12 mid-day that the media have been informed by Shell that Shell intend to attempt access to the Ballinaboy former refinery construction site tomorrow.
There is an increased police presence in Erris as of last Friday. The following is a report and photos from the picket today – photos from the 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. period.

Early morning birds, but where are the worms?

Despite this being week three of continual dawn vigils and an extra early 4 a.m. start today the determination of the people of Erris remains undaunted and resolute at the picket line. If Shell had anticipated a lessening or erosion of peoples’ determination to prevent this toxic wasteland from being dumped on their doorsteps, they as ever, have misjudged the level of opposition to their plans.

By the time dawn was breaking, a count of over 100 people were amassed in readiness to prevent Shell from gaining even the smallest foothold in commencing any work at the proposed refinery site. Crowds stood in solidarity, not thwarted by midge attacks or sudden soaking showers; the mood of the picket line was awesome in its upbeat and resolute spirit. People cheerfully mingled from group to group with familiarity born of old friends, family and links forged with newfound comrades.

As Shell have announced September as the month they intend to access the refinery site, and to date have not appeared, this no show has served only to strengthen and unify this community of struggle. At each turn of Shell’s propaganda, they have been clearly exposed as lying, as people evidencing the truth have dismantled their Greenwash. Claims of a ‘majority of people in Erris welcoming the project’ and ‘disruption occurring via a minority of people resisting progress’ are being exposed by a door-to-door petitioning. This petition is on-going and to date 98% of people have signed to say they were not consulted by Shell and do not give their consent to the Corrib gas project.

The message that could not be ringing out any clearer to Shell is that this project has no local consent, and simply cannot succeed. The levels of information accessed by people about Shell’s global track record of environmental genocide serves to strengthen the campaign. The historic polluting nightmares that Shell visit on every part of the globe they corrupt is too loud a warning to be ignored. The environmental holocaust in Nigeria, to name but one, is a future vision which people here are determined to prevent at all costs. This is people power at the cutting edge of resistance. This campaign is not a group of disparate strangers with a common aim, but a close-knit community of families and friends, bound by history and kinship. The solidarity and strength of these bonds cannot be overestimated. People are fighting to preserve their heritage and homes from this massive threat to their safety, health and future.