Shannon Solidarity Vigil Thgurs 8.30 a.m. -10.30 a.m.

Wednesday May 07, 2003 23:18

by Ciaron O'Reilly - Dublin Catholic Worker

Solidarity Vigil outside GPO 8.30 - 10.30 a.m. Thursday with folks in court in Clare over resistance at Shannon Airport.

Martin and Jenny are in court Thursady in Clare for their Good Friday resistance at Shannon.

There will be a solidarity vigil outside the GPO from 8.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.

We will collect donations for the travel and legal expenses of the defendants, feel free to drop in.

More info. 087 918 4552

RESISTANCE CONTINUES, GOOD FRIDAY PEACE ACTIVISTS ENTER SHANNON AIRPORT
3am Libation completed at edge of runway in peace

Two members of the radical anti-war Catholic Worker Movement (see www.catholicworker.org) were arrested inside Shannon Airport in the early hours of Good Friday. Jenny Hannon of Dublin and Martin McGowan of Sligo were detained by airport security and police after making their way into the airfield.

They had constructed a shrine to the Iraqis slain in the recent U.S. military assault, conducted the Catholic Office of the Dead and planted a bed of potatoes. By 3.45am they were still airside, where they continued their libation at the edge of the runway in peace.

Jenny Hannon stated,
"We come to Shannon Airport on Good Friday to recognise the ongoing crucifixion of the people of Iraq. Our airports have been complicit in the decade-long enforcement of genocidal sanctions, and now the past month of intensified bombing in Iraqi towns and villages.

"By allowing refueling of U.S. military flights at Shannon, Ireland is now co-operating with a huge armed robbery of Iraqi resources to be plundered. The entire infrastructure of Iraqi society - deliberately destroyed by U.S./U.K. bombs in the Gulf Wars - faces privatisation by U.S. corporations - water, roads, hospitals, etc.

"We remember the dead and dying, and plant potatoes as a symbol of new life, returning the land occupied by Shannon Airport to a proper relationship with a God of Life and Love." (see www.refuelingpeace.org)

Martin McGowan continued, "This is a continuation of the ploughshares prophesy unleashed at Shannon in February. The prophet Micah (Ch. 4:4) promises a vision of economic justice as the flipside to nonviolent disarmament - where "we shall sit under our vine and fig tree, next to our potato patch, in peace and unafraid. It is traditional in the west of Ireland to plant potatos on Good Friday. The spade is mightier than the sword!"

In early February five other members of the Catholic Worker Movement were arrested after disarming a U.S. Navy warplane at Shannon Airport. Karen Fallon will accept bail later today, joining the other four bailed awaiting trial. (see www.ploughsharesireland.org)