Grassroots Gathering shut down Shannon warport demonstration

by Tom Tue Dec 10, 2002 19:30

There were about 45 people on the Dublin bus.

by Wranboy Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:59

15. The powerful way the gardai were being politely confronted (by ladies mostly) with the reality of what is happening in shannon and the nature of their role in it.

16. The vodoo atmosphere as night fell.

17. the Neutrality my Arse Placard

18. There aint no power like the power of the people and the power of the people won't stop

19. Michael D and the confused head on him looking at people with masks self counting the numbers present.

20. TG4 turning up and broadcasting protesters voices on the tele

21. Tim - looking like an organiser but turning out to be inviting everyone around to his gaff for soup and sambos after

22. thinking about the fone call from iosaf and allowing his spirit to posess me for a few minutes while there

23. The american girl urging everyone to stop paying their taxes if they can and asking everyone to strop using oil.

24. Ciaran O'Reilly's speech which is developing as the events go by.

25. People not wanting to leave even though it was dark, they were being intimidated, it was cold

26. Realising there really really is a grassroots network in Ireland that is getting it's shit together.

27. Missing some of the nice but misled swimmers from the big smoke where everything (save a detail or two) is always the same every time.

28. Iron Vest -

29. Corkonian shouting 'watch the fence watch the fence from the moment he got onto the property

30. Dummy runs with coffins.

31. the feeling many things, and not one thing, were happening.

32. Lock on demonstration and thinking the people involved should have asked a friendly Garda Schikolony to play the role of a Guard in the Demo.

33. POTUS Turning up with a very big hat indeed.

34. Prevention of arrests and someone in a mask applauding like mad when some guy on the open mic called for protests at shannon to remain non violent but stand where they wanted to stand.

35. The way in which the police were made feel that the people present outside the terminal were not interested in their presence - and the fack that most people did not give a monkeys for even thinking about their presence.

36. The fact that the Wranboys will meet again.

37. The Galway Dr John on the bus talking about the history of Patrun Days (Sic) and how a main part of UK imperialism was the suppression of un commercialised and unsupervised play and activity all over ireland.

38. Thinking the next protest in Shannon should be modelled on old Irish Customs rather than old US UK etc customs. (Well they are at least three or 10 years old).

39. The Constitutional Neutrality Provision transplanted onto a banner

40. Thinking how small Ireland is and how word will spread.

41. People talking about Carnsore Point and making the point that itn could happen again

by pp Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:31

There was a large contingent from Galway (about 50). A bus-load, including some Galway Alliance Against War members, left from the University, while others made their way by car. I believe that most people had a very good day: we felt that there was an opportunity for the different sectors of the anti-war movement to participate with their diverse of forms expression. There is plenty of room for improvement, but it was definitely a good start.

by Paul Tue Dec 10, 2002 11:08

I can only speak for Cork in response to Ray's query regarding the "breakdown between jackeens and culchies" although I don't accept such terms since Cork people fall into neither category.

There were two buses from Cork - one from the City, the other from West Cork. Each had around 40-45 people on board. There were also at least three to four carloads from Cork who travelled separately, so there would have been somewhere between 90 and 110 from Cork. There was also a large contingent from Galway. People also present from Limerick / Clare, Waterford, Belfast, Sligo, etc and I'd say that Dublin had around the same number as Cork.

by cu glas Mon Dec 09, 2002 18:44

Id just like to congratulate EVERYBODY who bothered to come to shannon yesterday to protest and show their disgust & anger about what is happening.It was a great action and went well organisation wise.

The transforming of the tailfin sculpture into a monument for the children of iraq was especially beautiful and moving.

by Stop this war Mon Dec 09, 2002 17:41

No stewards, no leaders. Power to the people.

by loadsa culchies Mon Dec 09, 2002 17:21

in every way

1 . the fucking camel talking to the cops being led by the prophet
2. The cork armagideon time sound system
3. Belfast hakers and imcers
4. The berrigan Monument
5. The old gentleman from cork who had used his magic carpet (Bus Pass) to travel both to dublin and shannon
6. The Code-pink ladies
7. The kids
8. The Vodoo Fiddle and drum combo
9. Mr Moustaches walking up and down the fence as night fell inspecting the Gardai walking on his hands.
10. previous shannon arrestees from Cork winding up the gardai (and giving them some healthy excercise) mercilessly.
11. The guards who all lost the ability to talk
12. The coffin fecked over the barriers at the airport entrance
13. All the Gaeilge being talked
14. The Romany Singer and song

the list goes on and on

Felt like the start of something - such peace and quiet (no slogans and megaphones) and such a rabble of humanity as we headed into the heart of the deathport -

by Ray Mon Dec 09, 2002 17:05

It seems there were about half as many people in Shannon as there were in Dublin, which is both impressive and depressing. What was the culchie/jackeen breakdown?