Day 115; Mayo day of support at Bellanaboy.

mayo | environment | news report

Friday January 26, 2007 13:10

by Eve - Shell to Sea

Over 150 show their support.

Today’s Mayo ‘day of support’ at Bellanaboy passed off peacefully despite large number of Gardai. Protester numbers were bolstered by supporters from around the county and the county making over one hundred and fifty in total.

The cops line up.

Protesters gathered from 7am onwards before marching towards the refinery site behind a banner emblazoned ‘end the occupation’. The crowd of Erris residents and supporters made their way slowly towards the refinery gates in semi darkness accompanied by several Gardai. The Shell convoy passed unhindered.

Nearer the refinery site gates more Gardai appeared forming a cordon along the centre of the road to keep campaigners back form the gates. The only incident of the day occurred when several Gardai attempted to forcibly move one protester across the road from in front of the metal site wall “for her own safety”. She declined to comply with the unreasonable request and Gardai initially attempted to drag her off before relenting.

A national day of support at Bellanaboywill be held on the 16th of February. It is hoped that Shell to Sea supporters from around the country and further a field will travel to Bellanaboy to stand in support and solidarity with the Erris community in their opposition to Shell’s dangerous project.