One Mother's Quest for Justice - Rose Gentle

dublin | anti-war / imperialism | opinion/analysis

Wednesday September 07, 2005 00:15

by Deirdre Clancy - Pitstop Ploughshares

deeclancy at gmail dot com

086 151 2013

Rose Gentle speaks in Dublin on Thursday the 8th of September at 7.30 in Wynne's Hotel, Abbey Street, in a public meeting organised by the Pitstop Ploughshares and Dublin Catholic Worker. What follows is a brief perspective on the importance of voices like hers, and a brief summary of the ordeal that led her to become a leading antiwar spokesperson.

Huge swathes of those who marched on February 15th 2003 retreated back into their daily routines in defeat. It became apparent that possibly the largest protest in the history of the world had not made a difference to the nefarious plans of the coalition of the willing. Some committed activists moved on to new issues, new platforms, some proclaiming the antiwar movement a success for their particular organisations, due to the size of the mobilisation. Truthfully, though, the peace movement became demoralised and confused, and consequently disorganised after the invasion of Iraq. It’s been a struggle for even the most well-intentioned of antiwar activists to engage creatively, faced with the daily news about death tolls in the Middle East.

Those of us, and there were many, who made a stand could be forgiven for being tempted by the prospect of crawling back into our protective shells, detaching from the daily death tolls we hear about in the media and resigning ourselves to our essential impotency in the face of the dangerous politicos of the free world. In our heads, perhaps, are the voices of those who tell us it is time to move on, that Iraq is old news, that the US military must stay to ‘finish the job’, because even if the venture was pure folly initially, it would be counterproductive at this stage for the troops to pull out – despite all compelling evidence to the contrary. As the antiwar community splintered following the bombardment of Iraq, it seemed at times to turn in on itself, as people got burned out, cynical or eccentric. The lure to pull back has been strong. This is why fresh, relevant voices with something real to say are vital. We don’t need any more jaded theoreticians, amateur or professional. We have enough of them already.

There has been a growing chorus of voices against the War on Iraq, comprising the mothers of those human beings used as cannon fodder in the Bush/Blair misadventure. There was Lila Lipscomb, the grief-stricken mother at the centre of Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11”. For the past few months, America has been exposed to the articulate grief of Cindy Sheehan, who in her righteous anger camped outside George Bush’s ranch in Texas, demanding a meeting with him. She wished for an explanation for the death of her son, Casey, in Iraq. A mother’s grief for a dead child is often searing. Most mothers would wish to feel that their child did not die in vain. It takes a particular kind of courage, a courage those of us who have never experienced such a loss cannot imagine, to face up to the possibility that your child may indeed have died needlessly, under false pretences.

Facing up to the possible futility of such a death is one thing, but admitting it as a probability and mobilising to find justice is another. This is what Lila Lipscomb and Cindy Sheehan have done in speaking out. It is also what the Glasgow mother, Rose Gentle, has been doing since the loss of her son Gordon, who died when a roadside bomb exploded beneath him in Basra in June 2004.

Like Cindy Sheehan, Rose Gentle quite reasonably felt she deserved an explanation for her son’s death – particularly in the face of the spectacular public crumbling of the initial pretexts for war – and she wanted to hear it from the horse’s mouth. In the face of real, human loss, political protocol is irrelevant – Rose Gentle knows this better than most. Soon after her son’s death, she and her 14-year-old daughter Maxine went to Downing Street to hand a letter to Tony Blair, who was on holiday at the time. Instead, she spoke to John Prescott, then leaving the meeting in frustration, declaring that Prescott was talking ‘rubbish’. Subsequently, when Gentle began to highlight publicly that her son’s life could have been spared but for the lack of availability to his regiment of standard-issue counter-measures, she was censored by the Ministry of Defence in a little-publicised ‘Defence Advisory’ notice. Despite such censorship, Gentle has remained steadfast in her quest to speak truth to power.

When Gentle stood for election in 2004, she stated:

“If my son had died for a noble cause, I would be just as heartbroken. If my son had died defending his country, I would have cried just as many tears. A noble and just cause would be some wee consolation for my boy’s death.

But my son died for a lie and I want justice. Justice is two things. It is seeing that people get what they deserve. And it is making things right, the way they are supposed to be...

...Like many youngsters across the country, Gordon joined up for the promise of escaping poverty for a better future – to travel and learn a trade. Yet with only 6 months training he was sent to die in Iraq, without even having the proper equipment.”

It is vital that we listen carefully to voices such as Rose Gentle's, for they bring the invasion home to us, and to those in power. They interrupt and disrupt powerful people's vacations. They highlight the reality of those craven presidents and prime ministers who would rather face anything than the naked truth of a mother’s righteous anger and grief. And as the leaders of the free world holiday with their own cosseted and privileged children, who will never have to join the army to escape poverty, the public gradually begins to smell a rat. A mother’s grief for her needlessly slaughtered child, whether it be in Iraq, in a tent in Texas or in Glasgow, is a voice we disregard at our peril.

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Comments (14 of 14)

Press Release for Thursday's Public Meeting in Wynn's Hotel, 7.30pm

by Damien Moran - Pitstop Ploughshares/Dublin Catholic Worker

Wed Sep 07, 2005 00:46

ploughsharesireland at yahoo dot ie

087 9638398

To interview Rose Gentle before Sept. 7th please
contact 0044 7951767530

More Info. on Rose's campaign:
www.justice4gordongentle.org

Rose Gentle, the mother of a British soldier killed in Iraq, will speak in Dublin on Thursday night. Rose's son, Gordon Gentle, was killed on June 28th 2004 by a roadside bomb in Basra, Iraq.

Mrs. Gentle has been invited to address a public meeting entitled 'The War Comes Home', organised by the Dublin Catholic Worker Movement, on September 8th at 7.30pm in Wynn's Hotel on Dublin's Abbey street. Five activists aligned to the Catholic Workers are facing trial in Dublin's Four Courts on October 24th 2005 for disarming a US Navy plane at Shannon Airport
before the outbreak of the Iraq war
(www.peaceontrial.com).

Mrs. Gentle, 40, from Pollok in Glasgow, stood against Britain's Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram in the British General election last May. She campaigned to bring British troops home from Iraq and won 1,513 votes. She recently helped launch a legal bid to secure an independent inquiry in Britain into the legality of
the conflict.

Other speakers on the night will include Catholic Worker anti-war defendant Ciaron O'Reilly. O'Reilly will speak about his upcoming trial for disarming a US plane at Shannon and the airport's role in the ongoing occupation of Iraq.
Finally, Brazilian activist Gustavo Barbosa will address the murder of Jean Charles De Menezes and the British government's
shoot-to-kill policy.

To interview/contact Rose in Dublin from Sept. 7th-9th please contact Damien at 087 9638398

For More Info. re. Public Meeting
Contact Damien 087 9638398

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Rose Gentle on her election campaign against Armed Forces Minister Andy Ingram

Rose and Maxine Gentle at 10 Downing Street

by Damien Moran - PSP/DCW

Wed Sep 07, 2005 01:06

This is an online version of the film "Dear Mrs.Blair". A video letter to Cherie Blair from Glaswegian mother Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq on 28 June 2004.

http://www.scotland.indymedia.org/newswire/display/1195/index.php

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Minister slams Blair and Bush at funeral of Scottish soldier July 8th 2004

news.scotsman.com/ scotland.cfm?id=781502004

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Bereaved Families Take Wreath Protest to 10 Downing Street November 11, 2004

www.commondreams.org/ headlines04/1111-09.htm

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About Gordon Gentle

http://www.justice4gordongentle.org/about-gordon-gentle/

**********************************

BANNED: dead soldier’s mother refused entry to Labour Conference - 04 March 2005

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2005/03/04/story6876408t0.shtm

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Families of slain UK soldiers demand Iraq war inquiry - 18/08/2005

http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=9433

**********************************

Michael Moore wants mother of dead soldier in next movie - Sun 12 Dec 2004

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1420272004

George and Rose Gentle follow their son’s coffin from St James’ Church, Pollok. July 8th 2004

Rose Gentle and Reg Keys -carry a wreath and petition to hand in to British Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street in London Wednesday Nov. 10, 2004.

Statement By George Solomou: So Many Solders Are Against This War

by Damien M - As Above

Wed Sep 07, 2005 01:09

From 21 January 2005, Independent (UK)

Earlier this week, I came out publicly against the war in Iraq.

I'm not the only member of the Labour Party to be opposed to our military participation in this American-led adventure, nor am I the only soldier.

In fact, there is a growing vocal minority within the Territorial Army that is against the war. Nonetheless I am the first one to make it clear, in public, that if called to serve in Iraq, I will refuse.

I wanted to leave the TA in the public way I have because, although so many solders are against this war, they don't have a rallying point. There has to be someone who is the first to go. After that, there will be another and another and another. They're out there, the soldiers who want to make plain their refusal to part of this illegal war - I know, I've talked to them.

Many people, even those who agree with my views on the war, will say that it is not the place of soldiers to decide which wars they will fight; that decision must be taken by their senior officers, and ultimately by the government of the day. But you should only obey orders that are morally right. The WMD claims were untrue, and so many other lies were told in the pursuit of this war. Every individual soldier also has the moral right to decide whether he will put his life on the line. After all, it is his flesh and blood that gets wounded; that gives him the right to an opinion.

I'm proud to be part of the military family that is against the war.

There will be more soldiers coming out soon, and I'll be proud to stand next to them on 19 March at the anti-war demo in London. We can help stop this illegal and immoral war, and that is our duty now.

Mr Solomou, with Rose Gentle, urged others to join him in condemning the Iraq conflict (BBC)

Where is the voice of the Irish anti-war protest?

by Margaret

Wed Sep 07, 2005 17:51

Some good issues raised here that I think need to be addressed before any large scale resurgence of the anti-war movement can happen (yes, I do mean the one without the capital letters!!!).

The majority of Irish people were opposed to the invasion of Iraq. Many subsequent revelations regarding the intent of the invasion and the horror that is now daily life for the people of Baghdad, Fallujah etc. have only served to galvanise people’s opinion that this invasion/war was wrong, unneccessary and unjust.

When the invasion of Iraq was imminent and in the early days of the war people had something to rally against. We saw 100,000 people on the streets of Dublin – the only time I’ve ever seen Irish people gather in such numbers to protest anything. Anger at the use of Shannon airport to refuel planes and transport troops also made that a focus of protests. Much of this faded until Bush visited Shannon last Summer and again it gave people a focus for protesting. Even though it was well into the occupation of Iraq and people didn’t really believe it would change the goverenment’s mind on the use of Shannon (and taxpayers money for air traffic control fees), they wanted to make sure that it was obvious to the Irish and American government that the use of Shannon and the American invasion and occupation of Iraq was not something they agreed with. Once again, post the Bush visit, people lost the impetus for protesting against the war.

I believe this has happened because of two main reasons. Many of those who made an effort to stand up and object to the war do feel demoralised because it didn’t make much practical difference (and I include all forms of protest here, not just direct actions). Our government went ahead and passed a resolution that said we are not participating in the war, challenges to the breech of our neutrality in court have shown us that this is just something to be aspired to, troops passing through Shannon have increased and the death toll on all sides just keeps rising. Many people who are anti-war are also politically aware people who have a long list of issues and causes that also need attention – everything from the Criminal Justice Bill, to Palestine, to the Rossport Five.

The second reason I think there has been a lack of anti-war protest of late is that although people are against the invasion of Iraq there hasn’t been a viable alternate for the American occupation put forward. The media reports as we get them suggests that Iraq is pretty much at the stage of a civil/sectarian war between the Sunni and Shiite communities. Certainly the occupation has been devastating for the Iraqi people. The presence of an invading military force who don’t even speak the local language has resulted in countless murders of innocent people. The breakdown of services such as electricity and water in the oppressive heat of the summer, the arrest and imprisonment of so many Iraqis withut charges (I read somewhere that Abu Ghraib now has more prisoners than during Saddam Hussein’s rule) and the lack of personal safety that now characterises life in Iraqi cities especially are a horrific tragedy, even moreso because it a man-made disaster. I think most people are horrified at the state that Iraq is in but question what would happen if American troops were withdrawn now. It doesn’t seem that the Iraqi security forces are yet at a stage where they could take over peacekeeping/maintaining law and order. With the new constitution and the makeup of power structures in a new Iraq, the situation seems to have changed somewhat from an anti-invasion insurgency to a religious power struggle. I believe that people are still against the invasion of Iraq and horrified by the state of the country now but are not sure that demanding an end to the occupation at this stage is in the interests of Iraq. What would that mean for the people of Iraq? With daily car bombings targetting the emerging government and security forces I think people are confused as to what should happen in Iraq and what would happen if the American-led occupation ended tomorrow. Yes, we’ve seen UN peacekeeping work but we’ve also seen it to be completely inadequate in places like Rwanda and Palestine and who has faith in the UN as an institution of peace these days?

I think people still want to voice their disagreement with the war and use of Shannon airport to facilitate the killing of Iraqi and American people but that the old “US military out of Shannon” call and other anti-war sentiments don’t have the same conviction behind them any more. In order to be able to stand up and protest against the occupation of Iraq and the use of Shannon airport we need a new rallying cry, we need to have something certain to be calling for and pulling together on. (I know there are still a number of people who are focussed on Shannon and the Dublin Catholic Workers hold a weekly vigil outside the GPO.) I say this especially in light of the coming protest days at Shannon at the end of the month and galvanising support for it.

The recognition that this war/invasion is not just about politics but about individual people suffering horrendously and many dying is vitally important. Statistics about numbers killed don’t have the same impact as talking to someone who has lost a loved one, members of the family they have nurtured and love for years who have been violently killed. Maybe concentrating on the human cost rather than political wranglings in the way forward. It’s one reason I liked the focus of the Pit-Stop Ploughshares trial earlier in the year and the November peace walk at Shannon. Much of the court support centred around remembering those killed (see http://www.warontrial.com/index.php?id=280). I think this sort of thing coupled with the suggestion of a viable alteraive for Iraq could renew the interest that many Irish people have in objecting to this war and finding a voice to express their protest.

In short

by Sinic

Wed Sep 07, 2005 17:55

The Irish Anti War Movement is now busy with the Free the Rossport 5 campaign, Justice for the McBrearty's campaign, the Davitt League and the 'shoot to kill' campaign. Not to forget the elect Brid Smith campaign.
Not a pretty answer but not far from the truth.

Not talking about the IAWM

Wed Sep 07, 2005 21:15

Sinic,
I wasn't talking about the IAWM but the wider community of people who are anti-war in the country in response to some of the issues raised by Deirdre.

The Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) does not equal the Irish anti-war movement. The latter doesn't charge a subscription for membership and isn't driven by party politics, but it has lost it's impetus.
Although I do still find it intolerable that this organisation declared itself to be THE movement, thereby negating the stance of others around the country who were opposed to the war but did not want to join (or left) the SWP led organisation, surely it's time to forget about knocking the IAWM and think of the bigger picture.

A range of peace groups are converging on Shannon on the 24th September for a variety of protests. I've heard many peace activists bemoan the fact that Shannon has become a dead issue and I suppose I was trying to offer some reasons why in the hope that a bit of discussion would happen regarding realistic aims and directions for anti-war/occupation protests and events and maybe encourage some more people to Shannon for the weekend.

M

Irish Media Response to Rose Gentle's visit

by Damien M - Dublin Catholic Worker/ Pitstop Ploughshares

Thu Sep 08, 2005 05:27

If your interested in/have to do media work for your campaign the following may be helpful.

During the recent Grassroots gathering in Rossport, Co. Mayo, quite alot of debate was held around community activist's/campaigns utilisation of mainstream media (with Many Suggested Do's & Don'ts).

I thought the following report may be of some use to those who attended that workshop and/or those who are interested in having feedback from my current media field experience re. Rose's visit to Dublin.

***********************************************

I intially put out a press release (see above) regarding Rose Gentle's visit on Thursday, September 1st and followed it up with phone calls throughout the following day (Friday Sept.2nd ) to most of the major media outlets.

This press release was followed up with minor amendments (Sexed-Up) early
Monday (Sept. 5th) and subsequently phone-calls were made, specifically to those names/shows I had spoken to the previous Friday. Some commitments were firmed up, others clarified, others brushed off to buy time (just in case anything more interesting came into their newdesks).

Questions like: Did you receive....? Are you interested....? Do you want me to send it again to another address/at another time?
Do you need any nmore information? When will you decide? The *********** programme/paper is v. interested but we'll give you exclusive if you committ by {negotiate the time}.

Informing the researchers/reporters that 'Photocall' ( media picture taking group based in Laois I think) had expressed interest and vice-versa also helps things along as print media outlets may not be able to get a pohotographer along to your event but can take up Photo-calls pics. if they turn up.

We deemed it wise (after savvy media heads involved in the industry and another involved in many previous campaigns advice) to prioritise one key radio programme (RTE Radio 1 Morning Ireland) and one print edition (Irish Times/Indo) in order to offer them an exclusive story for Thursday (Sept. 8th - the day of the Public Meeting pitched in the press release), which other mainstream media (Radio & Print) outlets would hopefully feed from Thursday morning onwards.

We chased the (mainstream) media from Tuesday onwards to check their level of interest and to have a pitch for researchers that such and such a paper/programme are v.interested hence putting them under some pressure to push the opportunity with their editors and reply with a more prompt and definitive response.

Alot of interest was generated from Daily Ireland's Wednesday article/photo (Sept. 7th) (No risk in losing broadsheet exclusive as they are mainly read over the border/on the border and often looking for relevant Dublin stories to tap into).

So after persistent press-releasing/phone-calling, re-press-releasing and re-phone-calling, the following have thus far/are v. likely to come up trumps:

Print Media:

Daily Ireland, Wednesday Sept. 7th - Carried a good photo of Rose, use of the press release, quote from Rose and myself (who press-released) and sympathetic commentary.

Evening Herald - A piece was written and submitted but was scissored at the editors chopping desk and subsequently shredded to oblivion (may yet appear in Thursday/Friday edition)

Irish Times - Photo-op and interview held and due out in today's edition, i.e. Thursday

The Village - Photo-op and Interview held (Will be in Friday edition)

Radio:

98 FM - Interviewed Rose Wednesday eve. at 7.30pm as pre-recorded for their Wednesday night show between 11pm-12 midnight

RTE Radio 1/2 (88.8/91FM)- After been on Morning Ireland Preliminary list potential interview for Thursday morn. was dropped this evening (Wednesday) which of course makes it more difficult to get Rose on other major mainstream outlets Thursday morn. despite other RTE programmes been alerted and having expressed interest. To be followed up so hopefully Rose will be either on Pat Kenny's morning show/Ryan Tubridy or Gerry Ryan.

Clare FM - Morning Focus programme will interview Rose at 10.45am this morn. (Thursday)

Today 100.6FM - Rose will be in studio at 4pm for a debate with as yet unannounced 'voice from the other side' . The debate will be broadcast on Matt Cooper's 'The Last Word Show' between 5-7pm

Newstalk 106 - Rose will hopefully be on ' The Right Hook' show with broadcaster George Hook between 5-7pm

Near FM - Majority World hope to broadcast a pre-recorded interview with Rose. I think it runs from 4.30pm-6pm

Independent Network News - Time not confirmed but very likely to interview Rose at some stage Thursday. They act as stringers for the different county's local radio stations

I'll add updates later if they transpire.

Please tell friends to tune in/have a look at the above if they are involved in campaigns attempting to learn more about accessing the media.

Under no circumstances do I purport to be any kind of expert, just feel this particular experience shared can make us all a little wiser and assist in skill sharing.

Like Ammon Hennacy, we all need to be one {wo}man revolutions when it comes to dealing with the media, even if it is to competently engage in damage-control (a very important exercise taken into consideration the corporate media's frequent position on the side of the powerful).

Any other suggestions on 'De meeja' and especially group's experiences with/use of are very welcome.

Irish Media Update On Rose Gentle's visit to Dublin

by Damien M - DCW/PSP

Thu Sep 08, 2005 16:12

Sorry I wasn't able to alert folks as to Rose's radio interviews today.

RTE Morning Ireland pulled out really late so it was time to chase other RTE outlets. The day started not so well after reading Joe Humphries article on page 11 of the Irish Times, 'Talk by Mother of Soldier Killed in Iraq War'. Joe is a solid guy and good journalist but unfortunately seems like the editors chopped any reference as to who was hosting the meeting, where the talk was been held and at what time it would commence.

Strange omissions taking into consideration the title. There was a small photo of Rose but the online version of the IT omitted the photo and also did not include the event details or any material from the press release. I should have called and asked them to put in the details but was busy sleeping after working a night shift and following up other contacts.

Anyhow, I contacted the Pat Kenny show at 7.15am and spoke with researchers, followed up immediately by sending her the press release and awaiting confirmation call that it was received and that they were interested. They called 10 minutes later. They booked Rose a return taxi from Rialto to their studios in Donnybrook for a 10 minute live interview at 10.15am with PK. It went very well and

Rose avoided falling into PK's line of questioning which was pitched towards making her emotive and engaging in a fruitless debate around the issue of, 'Sure we know that the war was based on false pretences and that there has been so many mistakes made but the Iraqi's will bleeding annihilate each other if the Brits and US occupying forces don't stay'.

She refuted with her own persoanl experiences of meeting troops who had been in the field and acknowledged the occupation as the source of the chaos in Iraq. She spoke clearly about her contacts with people from Iraq who want an end to the occupation so that they can begin picking up the pieces after so many years of US/UK fuelled bloodshed.

The last words of the piece had PK giving a very distinct pitch about the Public meeting tonight in Wynn's hotel. We had emphasised this as an important pre-condition with the researcher.

The PK Show interview was followed by phone interviews with East Coast FM Morning show, Clare FM Morning Focus, West Cork 103FM, INN (Stringer for local radio stations nationwide).

Rose will engage in a pre-recorded debate on the Today FM 'The Last Word' show due for broadcast between 6 and 7pm. They will have a 'balance' to Rose, namely Eric Jackson, CEO of World Publishing who's products include the book 'Thank You, President Bush Reflections on the War on Terror, Defense of the Family, and Revival of the Economy' and 'Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed!'.

Jackson and co. 'make the case that capitalism and democratic republicanism are critical for preserving liberty and combating the spread of evil (http://www.worldaheadpublishing.com/about/index.php). Hmmm, with so gratuitious titles for Bush as the one above I look forward to Rose Gentle tearing his diatribe to shreds.

The Sunday Business Post had a snippet advertising the event on their Sept. 4th edition. This was achieved through a solid contact not actually working as journo. but in the layout section of the paper.

Newstalk 106 FM 'The Right Hook' are still deliberating. Ifthey fall thorugh we will try and get Rose on the Dunphy breakfast show.

Photocall have hooked up with Rose this afternoon in town to do a photo-op which they will try and market to newspapers tomorrow alongside the press release.

So all in all it's been a pretty successful few days to try and highlight the Justice for Gordon Gentle Campaign, reminding the public of the lies from Blair and Bush, the criminal activities of military recruiters at Dole Offices poaching their classical economic conscripts (guys and gals who just want to learn a trade and earn a living but end up killing and dying for Imperial misadventures), the direct connections between the Iraq war and 7/7 London bombings, and the need for the people of Ireland (no point of waiting around for a Labour gvt. lads seen as they're cosying up to FG) to kick the US military out of Shannon.

Rose will be part of the September 24th demo. in London, and from there will head to the US to hook up with her friend Cindy Sheehan.

'The War Comes Home' public meeting will take place tonight in Wynn's Hotel at 7.30pm.

IT Article: Talk by mother of soldier killed in Iraq

by Irish Times

Thu Sep 08, 2005 16:20

Talk by mother of soldier killed in Iraq, Sept. 8th
Joe Humphreys

IRAQ: Western governments are lying to the public about the risk of terrorist attacks in the same way that they lied about the need for war in Iraq, the mother of a British soldier killed in the Iraqi conflict will tell a Dublin audience tonight.

Rose Gentle, who is having a similar impact in galvanising anti-war protest in the UK as Cindy Sheehan is in the US, said the recent London bombings were "connected" to the Britain's involvement in the invasion of Iraq.

"But Blair is trying to brush it under the carpet, just like he is brushing everything else under the carpet," Ms Gentle told The Irish Times. "My heart goes out to those people who lost loved ones in the London bombings. But this goes back to Blair. We need to bring our troops home."

She has become a vociferous campaigner against the war since her 19-year-old son, Gordon, was killed in Basra in June 2004. Last May, she ran unsuccessfully in the general election on an anti-war ticket against the armed forces minister, Adam Ingram.

Since then, she has spearheaded a legal bid to secure an independent inquiry into the lawfulness of the 2003 conflict.

Last month, a lawyer representing her and the families of 16 other soldiers killed in Iraq lodged papers at the High Court seeking a judicial review of the government's decision not to order an investigation into the legality of the war.

If successful, the legal bid could force Prime Minister Blair to give evidence in court on whether the government misled the public about weapons of mass destruction.

Ms Gentle said she was seeking to travel to the US shortly to meet Ms Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq last year and who attracted worldwide attention by camping outside George W. Bush's ranch in an attempt to secure a meeting with the US president. Ms Gentle said that Mr Blair had refused to meet her despite numerous requests.

Question...

by Darragh

Thu Sep 08, 2005 16:28

darragh25 at hotmail dot com

I've been meaning to ask this question for some time and a post above has just pushed me to ask it...

Why don't all the key organisations that use this site come together and form a sort of umbrella group???

Groups such as the Shell to Sea campaign, the IAWM, The Mc Brearty's campaign against police corruption, The Bin Charge protestors, The Rip-Off protestors, etc. This would be a powerful force of extremely well motivated people if it could be harnessed. Power in numbers, united we stand, devided we fall??? Just food for thought...

Yes, Darragh

by iop

Thu Sep 08, 2005 16:35

and all under the direct command of the swp.

With Regard to Darragh's query

by Deirdre Clancy

Sun Sep 11, 2005 16:15

I think it's a valid and good question. Unfortunately, this idea of an umbrella group has been attempted and didn't work out. It wasn't for want of trying on the part of several people. About two people were doing all the work to try to get the thing going, and in the end it was decided that there was no point going ahead with it after a certain point. People had their own alternative networks more in line with what they saw as their philosophy and ultimately weren't willing to throw in their lot - understandable but a pity, because there are a lot of motivated groups out there and some cohesion would have made them more effective than heretofore. In my view this, among other factors, set the movement back.

The general public are not liable to get involved when they're not even sure what they're getting involved with - there have been several different names for several different campaigns around the country relating to Shannon or the war or Bush and this is confusing for some. There's a general lack of a sense of the importance of effective communication with the public in the wider anti-war community - continually renaming networks and groups that already exist is one reciple for alienation of the public. For all the IAWM bashing that goes on, communication is one thing it's historically better at doing, when it chooses to do so.

I also find it a pity that there's an RTS going on the same day as the first Shannon protest in a long time. I know I won't be alone in wondering what made the IAWM suddenly decide again that "Shannon matters", but I'm not churish enough about it to boycott the rally. I'm glad it's occurring. It's important to support it and send a message that we haven't forgotten the role Shannon plays.

LINK- Photos & Report on Dublin Evening with Rose Gentle

by Update

Sun Sep 11, 2005 19:18

http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=71873

Why the IAWM are returning to Shannon and why others are not!

by Damien Moran - DCW/PSP

Wed Sep 14, 2005 05:41

It is US based United for Peace and Justice who have initiated the call for the international anti-war mobilisations on Sept. 24th '05.

UfPJ are a coalition of over 1,300 groups in the US from the New York Catholic Worker to Iraq Veterans Against War, to the more bizarrely named 'The Ronald Reagan Home for the Criminally Insane' to 'Corporate Lawyers Against War', and back again to Food Not Bombs and the 'Raging Grannies'.
Definitely a mixed bag of sweets with lots of colours and flavours to attract, detract, and give us much food for thought.

Prominenet members include the Communist and Green Partys of the US, School of the Americas Watch, Voices in the Wilderness, Peace Action, Military Families Speak Out, International Solidarity Movement, Pacifica Foundation, Global Exchange, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Greenpeace, AntiWar.Com and American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee.

For a full list of their affiliated groups check http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=1879

They were founded in October 2002 after 70 peace and justice groups convened in Washington DC to set up a national campaign and co-ordinate activities against the build-up for war in Iraq and subsequently against the Iraqi invasion and occupation. They helped organise the two biggest rallies in the US against the Iraq war, i.e 500,000 on Feb. 15th '03 in New York City; and 300,000 on March 22nd '03 in NYC.

This is the outline of events/training UfPJ have organised for Washington DC from Sept. 24th-26th.

Sat., 9/24
• Massive March & Rally
• Peace and Justice Festival
• Operation Ceasefire Concert

Sun., 9/25
• Interfaith Service
• Training for Grassroots Lobby Day
• Training for Mass Nonviolent Civil
Disobedience
• National Meeting for Counter Recruitment
• Other Activities

Mon., 9/26
• Grassroots Lobby Day
• Mass Nonviolent Civil Disobedience

So what about the Irish response to this call?

The two elements adopted by the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM - www.irishantiwar.org) from this programme for their upcoming Shannon demo. are the

1) March and Rally {I have excluded the adjective 'massive' for obvious reasons}

2) Concert (While Washington will have Steve Earle, Shannon will have The Revs)

If ya wanna know more about the concert in DC go here http://www.opceasefire.org/

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, the IAWM are not now and have not since their birth facilitating nonviolent civil disobedience at Shannon. Nor have they (and their co-organising pals PANA and NGO Peace Alliance) ever put effort into organising nonviolent training for peace activists willing to acknowledge that it will take alot more than walking around Dublin on a sunny weekend to scare what was then the FF/PD Ahern/Cowen/Harney/McDowell/Smith/Brennan junta. The same gvt. parties of course remain in power with a little seat-shifting: Willie O'Dea at the Defence Ministry helm, Cowen moved to Finance, D Ahern at Foreign Affairs, Cullen at the Transport dept.

This of course didn't/doesn't mean everybody had/has to engage in such acts of civil disobedience. What was/is required is for collective of affinity group(s) to form,relationship-build, committ, strategise, plan,and nonviolently act according to their formative brainstorming tactics.

The building blocks of affinity-group based type actions will help rebuild a culture of activism around anti-war activism, with all the highs and lows of court cases, jail, bail, and banishment from Co. Clare (one of the most effective State mechanisms in silencing dissent).Tapping into the passive resistance which exists amongst the Irish public will be difficult. It may need another stage where the public feel betrayed and lied to by the gvt. of the activities at Shannon, increased hype around an Iranian invasion by the US, or God forbid The War Comes Home.

Those who have rallied in the past and will rally in the future needed/need to show solidarity in it's in many different forms, i.e. financial, court/jail support, etc. to those willing and able to put their liberty at stake. A good compilation of direct actions was drawn up by Andrew Flood of the WSM which may be worth reflecting upon along with strategies which have worked at Greenham Common, Trident Ploughshares in Scotland, Gorleben in Germany, etc.

The communities I am involved with, the Pitstop Ploughshares and Catholic Worker movement
( Links at the foot of the page) endorse nonviolent resistance as the way to end war and it's many tentacled-preparations.

Alongside PANA, NGO Peace Alliance, the Greens, Shinners, and Labour (and pro. lots more) the IAWM undermined the neccessary step up into nonviolent civil disobedience after the huge demo.'s in Dublin and throughout Ireland on Feb. 15th '03. The media scaremongering about the libertarian networks March 1st attempts of civil disobedience at Shannon was bought and swallowed wholesale by the above mentioned groups. It's been pretty much downhill since then.Apart from two other direct actions at SHannon (Potato Planters on Good Friday '03, Banshees on the Eve. of All Souls November '04, and the AMBUSH/Anti-War Ireland demo. June'04).

So where are all the groups involved in anti-war activity in Ireland around the outbeak of the Iraq war?
Why has it taken the Peace movement and other anti-war activists until now before returning to Shannon, despite the fact that troop levels have increased almost 200% since 2004.
Of course ex-Irish Army commandant and PANA member Ed Horgan alongside Tim Hourigan from Mid-West Alliance Against Military Aggression (MAMA) have been continuing their resistance through monitoring and recording US military flights through, etc.

When they started off monitoring and recording activities with Eoin Dubsky at Shannon post 9/11 through the refuelingpeace.org website (i think it's inactive?) they helped wake up many of us as to how significant the Shannon issue was.

Now the lads have lost Dubsky to France and the situation at Shannon is arguably at par with or worse than the level of relative inactivity which we had in mid to late 2001.

So where to next?
Well, the Pitstop Ploughshares/Dublin Catholic Workers future is uncertain because of their trial so we'll have to wait until mid-Novemner to see what transpires from the Four Courts.

The SWP dominated IAWM will continue to concentrate on the more popular Anti-State Corruption/MacBrearty/Raphoe and Rossport Campaigns with a consequential dissipation in focussed energy on anti-war resistance activity.

The Green's still seem to be picking up the pieces from the Eamonn Ryan/Patricia McKenna (presidential and European )electoral fall-outs and maybe they will have to decide whether they are going to join Labour/FG In a potential alternative (i.e the same aul shite different with a blue and pseudo-red tint) gvt. They have already laid a solitary path but when did that ever stop the the seductive nature of power from spreading it's wings and engrossing all moderates within it's path

Labour are battling unsuccessfully with the Shinners in working class areas while competing with FG'ers for the same middle class votes. Pat Rabbite's move towards an electoral pact/alternative (well, we all know it won't be that much different) programme for gvt.

The Shinners activities with the Rossport campaign have been very good so there may be hope of tapping back into to some grassroots members becoming active on the issue.

Part of the Libertarian scene have disappointly decided not to go to Shannon on Sept. 24th. Seems like they felt they would just have to follow/or be undermined by a march & rally they fear will be disempowering like it has been in the recent past. They will have a Reclaim the Streets
(RTS) in Dublin instead with no anit-war theme and if it's anything like the last one very little politics (there wasn't even anti-private transport/pro-bicycley stuff)!

Hopefully the extended libertarian networks will explore the possibility of quarterly/bi-annual returns to Shannon with good preparations on affinity-group based acts steeped in nonviolent tactics. With regards to SHannon I feel this is definitely the only form of resistance which will get us back on the playing field.

Not to propose people/groups shouldn't return to SHannon before this, but the third anniversary of the outbreak of war in Iraq, next March 20th, 2006, looks like a date every activist should have in their calendar as a time to return to Shannon

At the moment we ain't even making the panel when it comes to resisting the US military's use of Shannon and Ireland's increasing participation in warmaking/sustaining.

Anyhow, if you want to know in full what the UfPJ are up to in the US from Sept. 24th-26th check out their website http://www.unitedforpeace.org/

Cindy Sheehan's 5 week vigil outside Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas closed down on August 31st. Cindy and three buses left Camp Casey to head North, East and South carrying members of Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace to dozens of cities across the US. They will convene on Washington DC Sept. 21st.

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3095

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