Report of the IAWM demo in Shannon

Sunday March 02, 2003 00:21

by hunter - pfln

A Basic report from the IAWM demo in Shannon (As opposed to the GNAW one).

Ok people, here's a brief report of what happened on the Irish Anti-War Movement demo down in Shannon (as opposed to the GNAW demo).

After being stopped and searched for 'weapons' (of mass tresspassation?), the first busses began arriving at about 12.30 and by about 2.00 there were approx 1000-1200 (don't quote me on that - i'm useless with numbers) in the city centre car-park. The GNAW protestors left at this point, and the separation of the two contingents was achieved with little fuss. There was then a brief rally in which the IPSC, a trade union guy and Richard Boyd-Barret spoke. The media was much dissed (and bloody rightly so) for their role in blowing the 'violent protest' out of all proportion.

The march then began with the IAWM banner at the front. Those involved included the Independent Workers Union, SP, SWP, IPSC, Cork Anti-War group, Galway Anti-war group, Sparts, local people and other non-aligned heads. (anyone else who was there feel free to add to this, I was tired then and I'm more tired now, the aul brain ain't working the best).

The march proceeded down the road to the Terminal, receiving toots of support from passing cars - as well as looks of bemusement from others. There was a brief stoppage when the march reached the GNAW heads who were standing on the grass, facing down the boyos in riot gear, and their comrades in the lumious gear. After a few minutes of, I assume, showing solidarity with the GNAW the march moved on to the Terminal. Chants on the march included "one two three four, we don't want your bloody war...5,6,7,8 this is not a US state", "US military, Out of Shannon" and all the usual ones. There were also chants, directed towards the Gardai in general of "Shame, shame, shame, shame..." Some people urged them to join the protest, and to check the planes not the protestors. These calls of course went unheeded.

The Gardai then took the step of refusing to allow the car carrying the IAWM p.a. equipment to travel up to the Terminal (despite this having been agreed with the Gardai before the march). When the march reached the terminal, i was actually amazed at the amount of fencing put up (obviously in case of an -ahem- 'riot') since my last visit there (the 3000 in Jan). A one miunte 'die in' was staged and then the p.a. equipment finally arrived (but had to be carried up). Speakers from what i can remember included Joe Higgins from the Socialist Party, some woman speaking as Gaelige, a Labour councillor (fair play to him - wonder will the party whip come down on him?), Ashling(?) from Youth Against War, and a woman from US Citizens against War (??? I could be wrong on this). Damien Rice sang a song or two, so did someone else (Give peace a chance) and another song which slips me mind right now, and then we marched back down to the Airport roundabout. By this thime the GNAW had left the area and the cops lined the road, many of them walking alongside the march (felt like we were royalty or something) and the chants were loud, including the "Shame, shame..." one.

At one point I had to stop and rub my eyes because I saw on Guard, probably in his late 40's was actually shouting "shame, shame" in time to the marchers. I stopped and kinda looked at him, we made eye contact, and while at first I thought he was maybe taking the piss, he just looked back and shruged his shoulders, and winked, as if to say "hey, its me job - do you agree with everything you do in yours?". I must say, not being a fan of cops in general, this was a nice little moment and certainly a relief from the stoney faced boyos that lined most of the route and the Terminal.

Then everyone went onto the busses and went home, via Lidls for some cheap cheap booze. Being stone broke I could unfortunatley not avail. I'll leave all my political comment out of this for the moment, tho' does anyone have updates on the 10 arrestees? Or have anything else to add in general?

Not a big one, but we made our point in I feel in spite of all the hype and bullshit and pull-outs, a good showing. Now for the regional protests this saturday.