Iraq : For Those Who Have Perished

clare | anti-war / imperialism | feature

Tuesday March 20, 2007 16:29

by Conor Cregan - Cosantoiri Siochana

Wreath Laying Ceremony at Shannon Airport to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war

On the afternoon of 19th March Cosantori Siochana held a wreath laying ceremony, to mark the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, at Shannon Airport. Deirdre Clancy of the Pit-Stop Ploughshares laid the wreath at the site of the old Customs Post at the Airport. The group also laid flowers with the names of several of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated war in Iraq

Deirdre spoke of the importance of keeping the focus at Shannon Airport, “We owe it to ourselves to stand up against the militarisation of Shannon Airport and future generations and to the past who stood up against imperialism in an Irish context. We owe it our fellow human being to stand up stand up for their right not to be a slaughtered.” Later she praised local activists for organising the event

Many of those attending the vigil spoke of their feelings surrounding the issue. Over a hundred daffodils were laid on the roundabout. These were dedicated to the many thousands of Iraqis who have suffered greatly and died because of the cancer causing depleted uranium.

There were about twenty five people present including well known anti-war campaigner Ed Horgan. Also attending the ceremony was local Sinn Fein election candidate Anna Prior who called for ethical investment at Shannon Airport.

Since the Irish government voted to join the “Collation of the Willing” over a million US troops have passed through Shannon Airport. During the ceremony a member of Cosantori Siochana highlighted the fact that the US military were shipping missile and other major armaments of war through the Airport. Conor Cregan criticised the Irish government for accepting dubious assurances from the George W. Bush.

During the event An Gardai Siochanna, under the command of the Ennis Districts newly appointed Supt. John Scanlon, kept a low-key presence. Several members surrounded the roundabout ensuring the safety of the peace activists.

“While it is true that it can disrupt our lives to do anti war work, this is nothing in comparison to the suffering visited upon Iraqi people. Let’s not succumb to passion fatigue or let Iraq and Afghanistan be put on the back burner. We owe it our fellow human being to stand up stand up for their right not to be a slaughtered. We owe it to ourselves to stand up against the militarisation of Shannon Airport and future generations and to the past who stood up against imperialism in an Irish context” (Deirdre Clancy, Shannon Airport 19th March 2007)