NUIG OSF 'A.R.I.S.E.' AGAINST STATOIL

A large crowd of Ogra Shinn Fein activists organised and took part in a direct action at the Statoil service station in Newcastle this lunch-time (Thursday), closing the station for buisness for an hour.

The protest was attended by activists from the Socialist Party and Shell to Sea.OSF spokesperson Caitlin Ni Ruanaidh said of the action,

"We mounted a picket today to express our solidarity with the beleaguered community in Rossport, and to raise awareness of the theft of our natural resources."

"We see this issue as part of a broad anti-imperialist struggle and as an integral part of our newly launched A.R.I.S.E. Campaign. We are witnessing massive corporations like Shell and Statoil, bullying a small community and robbing an entire nation with the help of a morally bankrupt state."

"We also used the action to remember the victims of Shell's intransigence, the many peaceful protesters who were beaten, bruised and batton-charged by the Gardai on Friday last, and of course Ken Sara Wiwa who was hung by a Nigerian government that was bankrolled by Shell EP."

"Ogra Shinn Fein is calling for a general boycott of Shell and Statoil stations, and also for people to make their voices heard on the issue and travel to Rossport on the next National Day of Action, Friday, November the 24th."