Ciaron's final update on Aviation Building occupation

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday March 24, 2003 15:54 by Deirdre Clancy - Catholic Worker

Here's Ciaron's final update on what took place during the occupation of the Aviation Building on Burgh Quay today.

A member of the Dublin Catholic Worker was arrested during an anti-war occupation of the Aviation Building on Burgh Quay. John Robinson occupied the foyer of the building carrying out the rite of the Office of the Dead. Fifteen other anti-war activists gathered outside the building. A shrine was constructed in the foyer of candles, flowers, a cross and photographs of Iraqi children. Prayers were recited, an Office of the Dead conducted and incense dispensed. Robinson was arrested and removed from the building, but he continued to blockade the door to the building. There are no charges as yet.

During the two-hour vigil, a Top Oil tanker was blockaded when it pulled up in front of the building. Top Oil holds the contract to refuel U.S. war planes passing through Ireland.

A spokesperson for the group stated: "The civilian infrastructure of the Irish Aviation Industry has be surrendered by the Ahearn government to the U.S. war machine, a war machine that continues to unleash indiscrimminate bombardment, napalm, cluster bombs and cruise missiles on the people of Iraq. Like the train tracks that lead to the town of Auschwitz, Shannon Airport has been militarised on an assembly line of death. In the name of the children of Iraq, we call upon the Irish government to desist. We call upon the Irish people to nonviolently resist the criminal complicity of the Ahearn/Harney government .

More information/photos of the action: Ciaron O'Reilly, 087 918 4552