2) Peace activists create Shannon Airport shrine to Iraqi children

national | miscellaneous | news report Sunday December 08, 2002 17:44 by Eoin Dubsky

Hundreds of activists took part in today's lively anti-war demonstration at Shannon Aiport, among them where members of the anarchist, pacifist Christian group the Dublin Catholic Worker.

Six members of the Dublin Catholic Worker community attempted to transform an aviation monument into a shrine to Iraqi children threatened by US Troops and munitions en transit through the airport to US bases in Kuwait and Qatar.

Photos of Iraqi children were pasted on the structure, red dye poured into the surrounding pool in which it stands and the words "The war stops here - Phil Berrigan R.I.P." spray painted on the monument. The six then held hands in prayer.

One of the group, Farah Izadeh, had recently returned from Iraq. She stated, "Over half a million Iraqi children under the age of five have been killed by the past 12 years of crippling sanctions and sporadic bombardment by the US military. Iraqi children will be the most vulnerable should another all out war be unleashed by President Bush."

Ciaron O'Reilly added "Shannon Airport has become a pit stop for the US war machine. In contravention of Irish neutrality offensive troops and military equipment have been passing through Shannon daily. This must be met with nonviolent resistance by those who hold life more sacred then oil profits."

Cathi Clinton, Fergus Haverty-Stacke, Farah Mokhtareizadeh, Damien Moran, Ciaron O'Reilly and Deirdre were joined by other peace activists in a circle around their work. Their names were taken by police, but there were no arrests made.

More information: Cairon O'Reilly 087 918 4552