Day of Solidarity in Bellanaboy cancelled

by Etain - Shell to Sea Sligo Tue Nov 28, 2006 13:27

I agree with the previous post. Everyone has the right to free speech but keep the comments relevent to the debate. Check your sources and talk to those on the ground. Especially those in Rossport and Bellanaboy ,Terence Conway, Tom McHale etc, they have first hand information. The media are having a field day with the disorganisation of the protest.

So far the media reporting has been an absolute disgrace and is doing untold damage to the campaign. If we the public are to have a chance of winning this battle, we have to put up a unified front, squabling amongst the various groups, is not the way to go.

This week I travelled up to Mayo to meet the demonstrators, they were delighted to meet us, packed inside a small trailor with the wind and the bitter cold, brave people.

I think it is important that we have a national protest, and a definate date of action. All the groups from various parts of the country should be involved, this is not just a DUBLIN issue.

If you want to help constructively here are a few web addresses

www.struggle.ws/rsc

www.indymedia.ie/Mayo

by Joe Mon Nov 27, 2006 14:36

Isn't the majority of those at the rossport camp outsiders?

Brilliant, in other breaking news - the pope is a catholic.

Given that it is November I would be astounded if anyone staying in the camp has the option of sleeping in a nearby house.

You don't need to send someone to live there for a week, just have a look at the camp website at http://www.struggle.ws/rsc/

It's titled
"Rossport Solidarity Camp
Supporting Shell to Sea in resisting the Corrib gas pipeline and refinery"

And the first story is
"Rossport Solidarity Camp was established in the middle of June 2005, at the request of residents of Rossport"

But don't worry the dozen or so campers there to show solidarity with the locals are well outnumbered by the 200 odd outside Gardai bussed in for Shell. Shell as you may have noticed is in fact not a local company set up in someones tool shed in 1974 but a Dutch based transnational. You don't get much more outside than that!

by Reality upside down - - Mon Nov 27, 2006 14:34

The Mail reporter must have missed the main 'outside' group that is lodged in b&bs in Belmullet, getting paid overtime, getting pissed in the local pubs (income for the local community ?) and taking pleasure in harassing / attacking local people....their collective name escapes me though we have collected the names of the most violent individuals among them. Their pics are being framed as well.

by blahblah Mon Nov 27, 2006 14:21

Outsiders? Isn't the majority of those at the rossport camp outsiders? Article in the mail yesterday exposed the camp for what it is. Career protesters who don't care what the locals want. They had a reporter stay at the camp for a week.

by supp Sun Nov 26, 2006 01:25

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2091-2472016,00....html
well its not too inaccurate an article cos it uses alot of thoughts and words of s2s supporters, its the whole Mayo/notmayo misnomer that Mark Tighe had to exaggeratte that lets it down unfortunately, people are annoyed the day of action was called off but nobody has suggested wrestling MG or the R5 :)

by mayo Thu Nov 23, 2006 17:44

Anyone near Castlebar on friday. there will be leafletting of the the town and garages [not S2S] Also there is a benefit/whipround in Dalys (Imperial Hotel, near the tax office) with trad music and so on, from about 9pm.

RE the call off of demo in Rossport: its clear that the people living in the area (mostly middle aged non-radical people) were so shocked and frightened by what the pigs did to them, that they are going along with calling off further actions, something that is probably being pushed for by the politicians in the area..
They trust the government to eventually "listen to them" and do the right thing; they still imagine that Shell+co will see sense, if they can keep showing them how peaceful they are (a la Ghandi, who is quoted often in the campaign unfortunately.. but more on him another day); and they dont seem to connect the brutality of the pigs at the last action with the fact that as soon as they become effective, they WILL be brutalised. That is the function of the police: to protect the government and corporate interests. As long as the campaign is ineffective (i.e: is only a publicity campaign) then they will be allowed their peaceful protests. If the protesting actually starts to stop Shell+co's drive in to the west then they will be confronted with force.
In my opinion they need a general strike, and large numbers of people prepared to brave the elements +pigs regularly. Shell cant be appealed to, they need to be physically stopped. Hopefully messages of support can get thru to them+ locals will reconcider strategy.

by johnny Thu Nov 23, 2006 15:15

I was suprised by the decision to call off the national day, and can understand people being annoyed, having put up posters ect & organised for it. I myself found out by accident that it had been cancelled.
However, i think it was the right decision. Hopefully, this meeting on saturday now can coalesce the whole movement into a stronger, more unified, solid and broader one.

Yes this is a national issue. However there must be respect for the local community who are leading this battle. At the same time, now, they must be prepared to accept some flack for the sudden cancellation.
move on.

by de Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:13

It's very difficult in presenat day Ireland to create tension around any issue. There was/is tension around this one thanks to the courage of those who blockaded last time -who confronted power in a disciplned nonviolent way. Do you think this campaign would be as expansive as it has been - internationals prioritising blocking Shell stations (when there are so many other priorities in their own countries etc) without the tension of the Rossport 5 in jail last year or the NVDA on site. I think not.

The decision to deflate the tension has been a bad one, look at the example of Shannon early 2003 and the present day lack of tension there as the war gets worse. One has to ask did this decision to deflate come form moderate politicians associated with the campaign concerned about re-election in a no issue boring as hell election coming up OR did come from an authentic concern about rank and file resisters.

by Abraham - friends of universal biodiversity Thu Nov 23, 2006 04:09

At first i was thinking oh the fools canceling a day of action .....................
but in hind sight mabey this is the best way forward.
well one thing is clear it will have to be because its what is happening.
The gardi cannot be trusted..............there ...................you make up your own mind.
so calling another day of 'action' was in some ways putting our selfs like lambs to the slaughter?
i agree we need to continue the momentum.
but , if you feel this is the end of the campaign how commited are you ?

we need to think of all strategys .
as some one who got a bit of a beating last time im not sure how,
empowering getting hit is?

so lets carry on lets be smart.
were right ,unity is strenght ,
so if our opinions differ no worrys we will
respect differnces including tactics.
and carry on together
shell out!SHELL TO HELL!

by Tadhg Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:30

for those who are around town on Thursday lunchtime, there will be a protest at the Shell HQ Lwr Leeson Street/Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 at 1PM http://www.indymedia.ie/article/79812

by big fish - clean world 4 fish Wed Nov 22, 2006 02:42

just a passing thought ,but this nasty buisness in mayo is not just a local campaign
nor is it just a national campagn.
SHELL are one of the biggest multinationals in the world .
In far flung coners of this beautiful earth
(by the way i am a fish)
they reak havoc on the environment , communitys ,ect
it is well worth considering this ,internationaly people are fighting shell.we need to make
as public as possible the type of buisness Shell is .world wide chaos.
AS a fish i am also not to sure if i want shell at sea. mabey if yuo dirty humans want 'energy you should get cracking with renuable energy .
dont trust governments,
dont trust police
dont trust buisness men,
women in mayo should step in an take over.

i also dont think it was a good idea to cancel the solidarity day ,
i was also conserned over voilence ,though i think we need to look hard at how we can avoid
being brutalised by gardai, as a blockade is almost sure to lead to this ,
in saying this if people are willing to risk gardai thugs(THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE), then that is there buisness.
we need more video cameras with people looking out for them , perhaps with escorts ,perhaps high visibility with a profesionaly made logo?
the gardai are thugs.FACT.
There doing there job FACT.
There job is to break the protest FACT(?)
to end on a posotive note
mayo is a beutiful county well worth a visit come and and see the sea . the cliffs, the pigs
and a freindly type of people tired and pleased for support
longh live trout ooooo

by Michael Wed Nov 22, 2006 00:50

Stand back, deep breath, regroup, build......and carry on, but learn.

Thankfully, nobody died.

by mayo Wed Nov 22, 2006 00:34

if anyone is going to appear at shell/statoils on friday, maybe post about it here to get some other people along? (specially outside main cities)

by supporter Wed Nov 22, 2006 00:18

Stickler I agree with you , on this I have not felt comfortable with this threads conversation.
How do you know who you're replying to anyhow ? Shell supporters or those followers of mc dowel & dempsey and co,
croneys , lackeys are into the divide and conquer technique.

Last poll by the way PD's support have never risen a whole lot.
All support for S2S is very important, we're all in the same country.
They label supportors for S2S as "outsiders" this is all trying hard to muddy up the water .
Shell is the outsider lets not forget that .

by Joe Tue Nov 21, 2006 20:29

Shell 03/05/2006.

o Shell E&P Ireland Ltd (SEPIL) together with the Corrib gas partners, Statoil and Marathon, welcome the publication of the final report of the Independent Safety Review.

o The Corrib gas partners believe that the findings of the safety review, along with the implementation of the recommendations and the ongoing mediation process can lead to real dialogue which can ultimately lead to a resolution of the outstanding issues.

Shell 26/06/2006.

o Shell E&P Ireland (SEPIL) has today called on those who oppose the Corrib gas project to look to the future and help them to find a solution to the outstanding issues around the project.

o We appreciate that there are outstanding concerns and those concerns can be addressed in face-to-face dialogue through the mediation process".

Shell 13/07/2006.

o Shell E&P Ireland has today expressed its disappointment that the principal objectors to the Corrib Gas Project refused to engage in face-to-face dialogue during seven months of mediation.

o Throughout the mediation process, SEPIL consistently offered to discuss and address the safety issues raised by the main objectors. Furthermore the company was willing, in the context of face to face discussions, to consider a number of pipeline route alternatives and is still prepared to do so.

o Commenting on today’s announcement SEPIL’s Managing Director, Andy Pyle stated: “The Corrib Gas Partners are disappointed that despite seven months of shuttle diplomacy by Peter Cassells, the objectors consistently refused to meet us. We never had the opportunity to discuss their concerns across a table.

o During mediation - we indicated that were prepared to consider all development concepts and alternative pipeline routes. But unfortunately the goalposts keep shifting – the objectors insisted that Shell committed to moving the terminal site before they would meet us face to face.

o This is unreasonable and unacceptable. The terminal site has full planning permission.”

o Construction work on the Corrib project was suspended voluntarily to allow the Independent Safety Review and the mediation process to be concluded. No onshore construction work for the Corrib Project has been carried out for nearly a year. SEPIL has stated repeatedly over the past year that it would do more to listen to and engage with the local community.

Shell 28/07/2006.

o Throughout the mediation process, SEPIL consistently offered to discuss and address the safety issues raised by the main objectors. Furthermore the company was willing, in the context of face to face discussions, to consider a number of pipeline route alternatives and is still prepared to do so.

o SEPIL has always believed that dialogue is the best way to resolve the outstanding issues.

Shell 03/08/2006.

o The Corrib Gas partners today confirmed that they will modify the route of the onshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline in the vicinity of Rossport to address community concerns relating to the proximity of the pipeline to housing, as recommended by the mediator, Mr Peter Cassells, in his report published last week.

o The Corrib Gas partners confirm that having accepted the findings of both the Independent Safety Review and the mediator’s report, they intend to now proceed with the project.

o No construction work has taken place at the Bellanaboy Terminal site for the past year. This voluntary suspension was undertaken so as to allow time and space for the safety review and mediation process to be completed.

o Speaking today Andy Pyle Managing Director of Shell E&P Ireland said:
“We have made a number of key changes over the past year – We have agreed to implement all of the recommendations in the Independent Safety Review; we have an expanded team in Mayo engaging with the local community and we have publicly apologised for the hurt caused last summer.

o “This argument is no longer about safety. The safety issues have been comprehensively addressed through the Independent Safety Review. This pipeline is safe. It’s time for this project to move forward and we believe that the best way to do so is to modify the pipeline route in line with Mr Cassells’ recommendations”.

Shell to sea 20/11/2006

The statement by Mark Garavan concluded “In the coming weeks Shell to Sea
will redouble its campaign. The Shell to Sea proposal to establish an independent Commission of Enquiry remains the only viable method to resolve this crisis. We welcome the widespread support this proposal has received. We call on all peoplewith responsibility in Mayo and nationally to insist that the government and Shell engage in the meaningful process which this proposal outlines. Despite the media enhanced distractions of the last few weeks the issues remain. The Shell project does not have the consent of the majority of the people directly affected by it.
The use of force does not change this reality. It is simply not acceptable for the
Taoiseach and others in authority to announce that all matters are now over. At
this critical time the people of Erris, Mayo and the country deserve and insist on
better leadership than that.”

by Stickler Tue Nov 21, 2006 19:40

"Perhaps an agenda and rules for the meeting could be worked out here so that as many people as possible know what to expect when they get there"

Indymedia is not a bulletin board. Discussions of that type are not appropriate so don't confuse people by suggesting it. It would just create more work for the editors that would have to hide it as against the guidelines.

by M Cotton Tue Nov 21, 2006 17:40

A national meeting is a very good idea. Perhaps an agenda and rules for the meeting could be worked out here so that as many people as possible know what to expect when they get there - and are ready to contribute in a constructive and orderly way to the items agreed for discussion. Also, could the meeting be chaired by someone who is actually interested in listening to and respecting ALL opinions in the room...

Without wanting to deny that the immediate problem is for the people living in Mayo, this is nevertheless a truly national issue. As argued before, every other comparable campaign in Ireland should down tools and support S2S. In each case we are talking about national resources/issues. There are thousands of people out there fighting separately on all these issues - its a waste of positive energy.

by peripheraldisorder Tue Nov 21, 2006 17:12

The fact that the demonstration could be called off by a few individuals reflects the lack of national co-ordination within the campaign.

The Shell to Sea campaign has over whelming support amongst the Irish public and cancelling this action highlights our weaknesses and is a victory to both the state, Shell and the Corporate Media.

The campaign needs to move beyond the local issue in Rossport in order to harness this public support across the country.

The only way to use this stragegic support is to establish a cohernet national structure. the campaign is vast and diverse, this is a positive thing. However, going along to a meeting every week is not an effective long term strategy. It can work for university campaigns and campaigns that are soley located at a local level.

Calling off this demonstartion reflects the organisational mess of the campaign, it is time for a national structure to reflect the national interest of the campaign.

I propose a meeting to be held to discuss this, preferably in Dublin or one of the other major cities in order to create a neutral space for locals to really voice their opinion and not be shouted down by the Gerry Crowleys of the world.

by Isaac Tue Nov 21, 2006 01:20

The overwhelming opposition to the decision to cancel this Day of Solidarity illustrated here is a good thing. Clearly, for all the reasons outlined above, cancelling the mobilisation is quite a major mistake, and represents a temporary victory for the more conservative elements in the campaign. However, Shell must still be defeated and only significant mobilisations in Bellanaboy combined with a national movement can achieve this - so we all need to continue to work towards this.

Nobody and no cancellation should be able to further the agenda of the media and state to create a division between the campaign in Erris and the campaign across the country. There is a natural polarisation in this campaign as in all, but this is not between locals and outsiders, but between more conservative and more radical elements.

Events are every morning in Erris demonstrating that there is no conservative road to victory in this campaign. No element of the state (the Guards, the judiciary etc.) nor the media is our friend. Yes, we should pursue whatever avenues are open to us like Niall H's case (fair play Niall), but none of these can bring a lasting victory. Similarly, it should now be fully clear that public opinion alone does not win campaigns (ask some poor Iraqi if you want international confirmation) and it has been demonstrated now as Shell has gotten access to the site for almost two months. Public opinion is in general with the campaign, and has been strengthened by outrage at the Garda brutality at the last Day of Action. However, that alone has not been enough to win the campaign, nor will a tame threat to make it an "election issue" without an active struggle on the ground.

Events will continue to demonstrate the absence of any viable strategy other than that of mass mobilisations to shut Shell down combined with pressure in the trade union movement and elsewhere across the country. These events can force the more conservative elements to either accept reality or be isolated. We need to be there for this process of change, arguing for the kind of strategy and tactics that are necessary.

Saturday's national meeting is an important opportunity for this discussion to take place. We should make sure this meeting is as genuinely representative of the different views and forces in the campaign as possible, particularly in the campaign in Mayo. The meeting in my opinion should have a real discussion about strategy that comes to conclusions that can then be discussed again in the different groups.

To conclude - Cancelling Friday was a big mistake, but the campaign and the discussion over strategy goes on. See you all on Saturday!

by A McG - Sligo Shell to Sea Tue Nov 21, 2006 00:23

I can't remember who said this but it goes like this;

"Anarchy is a game the police can beat you at"

We need to keep AND use our heads

Good luck and best wishes to you all
Right is on our side

by Shell and the environment Mon Nov 20, 2006 23:39

I see a lot of attempted divide an conquering going on , by shell supporters and shell's/goverment peelers supporters ect in this thread.I really hate to bust your oil stained bubble,You need to go crawl back into your scabby hole because there will be no victory for you.Shell will go to sea then what other innocent community will you TRY to destroy for an encore?

by grand old duke of york Mon Nov 20, 2006 22:03

If anything is happening on sat dec 2nd then for gods sake lets shut down a petrol station or the shell terminal down the docks, instead of walking from parnell square to the dail (closed on saturdays) for speeches (yawn, yawn, yawn - we all know why we're on the march), this is a proposal for the meeting...

by shell to sea supporter Mon Nov 20, 2006 21:59

I note plenty of goodwill. So please use it and carry out your own actions in your own name. It would be great to have a few more leadership groups on the ground. The people in Rossport have been active for six years and have manned the blockade for 15 months. The concern is health and safety so they must be as sincere with their supporters in this matter as with the community in Rossport. However the way is wide open for other people to do what they can.

by frankie - none Mon Nov 20, 2006 21:56

Unfortunately, the numbers required to carry on a sustained level of resistance in the Erris area just don't appear to be there. Even in the Days of Action, there were never more than 500 people there. Now this might be down to the remoteness of the location, or it might be due to other more worrying reasons for the campaign, but I think the whole campaign against Shell and the exploitation has to be widened out of the Erris area. This is an issue that is not just local. It has national repercussions.
Originally the focus of the local campaign, rightly in my view, was on the pipeline. When the 5 men from Rossport were sent to Cloverhill, the emphasis, quite naturally, went to securing their release.
Now that the emphasis has shiftes again to the terminal at Bellanaboy, the local campaign on the ground don't seem to have the numbers to stop the scabs from going to work, even on the "days of action."
If the postponement of the day of solidarity is an attempt by the local leadership to regroup and devise new strategies for taking Shell and the State on, then I wish them well.
However I think they cancelled in the face of intimidation from the State forces and in an attempt to keep the moderates on board. Remember there is an election in the offing and the likes of Gerry Cowley can get very nervous at election time. I'm not trying to have a go here. I respect the work he has done up to now. I just think the whole campaign is stuck in a rut.
It's just that the local people have borne the brunt of this campaign for a very long time now and I think it's about time the whole thrust of the campaign was widened from a geographically very isolated area to a space that people not from there can occupy, both physically and metaphorically.
The campaign is bound to widen anyway with the granting of exploration licenses to companies for the areas of the Atlantic off the coast of Donegal and I know that people there are not going to be satisfied with a narrow capmaign like S2S.
Insisting on the refining offshore is no longer enough.
The focus from now on should be about the exploitation of our national resources.
I have no answers here, just observations.

by newfie Mon Nov 20, 2006 21:34

Being from Newfoundland and now living in Ireland I am reminded of similar events in my home province regarding offshore oil and getting a fair deal on the revenue being generated. I noticed on the S2S website that the Ireland/Newfoundland Partnership have been rubbing shoulders and exchanging development ideas on irelands oil reserves. There was a conference held here just this month. heres a link with some info.

http://www.pesgb.org.uk/pesgb/system/Atlantic%20Ireland.pdf

As well another link so you can see what measures our provincial government (with sustained pressure from the electorate) had to take to get some oil revenue pumped back into canadas welfare province. The people of Newfoundland have been fighting with the appripriately named "Hibernia oil Platform" for over two decades.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2004/12/23/williams04122....html

I have been inspired by the actions of the people of Mayo particularly the 5 men who went to prision. I do not agree with S2S calling off their day of action. Now more than ever is when wills and wits will be put to the test.

by Jaws Mon Nov 20, 2006 21:16

Nothing constructive in your post. I would say its self defeatest, but i have to question which side you are on, you do nothing but criticise all those groups involved. Sure, a lot of people are annoyed at the cancellation, but calling names and dividing the movement will only further benefit shell...

by de Mon Nov 20, 2006 21:06

It's worth looking at the defeat of the anti-war resistance at Shannon. Look back at the tension the state felt in Feb '03 with the peace camp, the two direct actions and the large march that happened to Shannon on the weekend between them.

Look at how the anti-war leadership led the retreat. And look how the issue hasn't gone away at Shannon but the movement (peace camp, nvda and marches to the airport have). Do you really want that to be the scene in Mayo 12 months on from here with Shell at full throttle?

Once you have lost the initiative and are merely reacting to the states initiatives, you have lost.

by Colonel Myers Mon Nov 20, 2006 20:58

Garda action and the threat of more, cows the Shell to Sea campaigners.
Shell to Sea have cancelled their so called "day of action" in Mayo planned for next Friday. This is a direct result of the actions of Gardai on the last day of action and the threat of more of the same from the boys in blue.

It represents a defeat for the campaign showing when the going gets tough the elements of the campaign who believe polite argument will win the day have the upper hand.

The Loopy Alliance of provos, anarchists and eco-warriors who have tagged onto the doomed campaign have got their answer.

by Menlo - Shell to Sea Mon Nov 20, 2006 20:52

Daniel O'Connell's major strategic mistake was in cancelling the Clontarf monster meeting after the Brits threatened to shell the protesters from gunships off the coast, at least this loss of nerve, whatever, was to prevent, perhaps, serious slaughter, the leadership of Shell to Sea don't have this luxury only a regrettable flip-flopping?. The courage and leadership of Jim Larkin and James Connolly is needed now more than ever?.

by Pissed off S2Sr Mon Nov 20, 2006 20:42

A quote from Gandhi from the Shell to Sea website: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win".

by corkie Mon Nov 20, 2006 20:41

What the hell?

Does the campaigns "leadership" foil so easily to Guarda intimidation? Do we want them (shell,statoil, guardi, the powers that be etc etc..) to succed in dividing and conquering a community? Of coarse the Guards closed off as many roads as possible, obviously to frustrate locals needlessly. It's painfully obvious how the game is being played out.

If S2S want to call off the day of action in Mayo, so be it , by why not offer an alternative. Such as a country wide day of action/solidarity that can be launched at the same time at Shell / Statoil depots in ones own county. Or a "where to go from here statement". The way the whole thing is being spun is defeatist . No one involved in this wants the people of Mayo to be further traumatized with violence but don't let them down by making wishy washy decisions. Don't make the campaign suffer for something as silly as bad preparation.

Where DO we go from here?

Sit back and wait for the red tape to be untangled?

by Starstruck Mon Nov 20, 2006 20:01

I was merely putting the "mixup" in eloquently non-sectarian prose.
Thats all.
Chill out Trotwatch.and fans..

by Trotwatch fan Mon Nov 20, 2006 19:56

"Unfortunate, suggests there was some sort of accident, rather than deliberate and pre-meditated lieing. Thanks again Bríd. What a coincedence it's the same day as your IAWM rally."

So you think that Starstruck is a pseudonym used by Brid Smith of the SWP? Jesus you really are clueless aren't you? Why do you keep posting sour little comments like that? What on earth do you think you're achieving?

by VERY CONFUSED Mon Nov 20, 2006 19:41

A healthy confusion has occurred. It is time for ownership and approval for Actions. There must be a procedure for bigger events. Any Shell to Sea action must come with full details of its organiser and reference to its approval by the community in Bellanaboy if it has to do with the pipeline and refinery. There needs to be clarification about the resource control issue - is it a priority for Shell to Sea Bellanaboy. What does it want solidarity on at this present time as decided by majority show at the local Shell to Sea Meeting in Mayo. Read the Statement. Other groups are always free to design their own actions but sign them to help the public whose support we are all hopefully after to decide which issue and which group to join. We who wish for democracy must be ready to practice it ourselves.

by matt Mon Nov 20, 2006 19:40

I agree that it's a huge tactical error to call off this day of action. this is not a problem of weak leadership, the campaign tries to be as non-hierarchical and democratic as it can be, but of 'key figures'. When a few people are relied on for a crucial part of the campaign it means a) they have the power to do things like threaten to resign if certain decisions aren't made and more importantly b) they are under a huge amount of stress to not screw up.
these 'key figures' were not given the support that they needed. this is inarguable and while singlehandedly calling off a national day of protest is not the way to go about making people realise this I think there is a problem in the campaign that seriously needs to be addressed. Hopefully now a positive outcome can be gotten from this. The campaign can learn and move on. And don't be so quick to condemn those who decided not to go ahead with the rally. Apart from everything else, the brutality displayed by the gardai was unexpected for a lot of people, and people need to take stock and prepare properly for the next time it happens. And it will happen again of course, people should avoid getting burnt out now when huge pressure can be put on the government next year.
Lets not forget what we're seeing here, a small community standing up for what it believes in and I take an awful lot of encouragement from that.
Mistakes will always be made but it is the local community and those who were down at the meetings decision to make.

An action in dublin instead by those who were intending on travelling down woud be a very positive move, if well attended. I'd certainly be there.

by de Mon Nov 20, 2006 19:39

Sounds like the biggest tactical error since the Peace Camp decamped from Shannon Airport Feb 03.

by antoni Mon Nov 20, 2006 19:33

People of rossport you do not have a monopoly on the struggle against shell and if you want to win you will need national and international support. This is a slap in the face to the people who have worked so hard on this campaign outside of Mayo, the 2nd in as many weeks - the other of course being the disgusting statements of condemnation from your spokesman.

Shell to sea, meaningful action pleas and less flip-flopping. If we are to win we must fight together.

by Trotwatch Mon Nov 20, 2006 19:02

"Secondly Dublin Shell to Sea DID NOT call for a national rally on the 2nd of December.
This was an unfortunate error in communication that occured."

Unfortunate, suggests there was some sort of accident, rather than deliberate and pre-meditated lieing. Thanks again Bríd. What a coincedence it's the same day as your IAWM rally.

by Starstruck - Dublin Shell to Sea Mon Nov 20, 2006 18:28

Firstly I wish to express my disappointment that the above dexision has beenm taken.
I will refrain from expressing my other feelings as to why it happened and why its a total mistake ,for the short term we need to remain a united and strong campaign working towards aour goals with all our energy and focus.

Secondly Dublin Shell to Sea DID NOT call for a national rally on the 2nd of December.
This was an unfortunate error in communication that occured.
Whether or not something is still going ahead for that date is yet undecided.

There is much to discuss in the next few days,please if you in any way involved or concerned about this issue and live in Dublin,please come to the Public Meeting tomorrow,Tuesday night at 7.30 in the ATGWU Hall on Abbey Street. ( http://www.indymedia.ie/article/79690 )

Onwards!

by Henscastle - The Tara Foundation Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:50 www.thetarafoundation at yahoo dot ie

I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestion to bring the Solidarity Day to Dublin. The event has been widely promoted and this cancellation can only cause confusion and frustration. The level of support for the cause is at a peak at the moment, and we must do what we can to keep the momentum going. Government buildings on Friday is the ideal place to show our opposition and our continued support for the people of Rossport.

Ná géill slí

by shell to sea supporter Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:49

It comes as a shock that our police force cannot be depended on to police a protest. The awful realisation has informed the Shell to Sea decision to cancel the Day of Solidarity. The main task of the Gardai was to inform the protestors of legality or otherwise of the last march in proper time, to give people time to sit on the road and then remove them, to exercise arrest instead of baton charging - there is an injustice in non arrest. The Gardai know full well that this is a non violent protest - there are thousands of small stones lying in heaps - not one was thrown over all the weeks. Where are the photos of the several media houses present which show violence. Not one in almost two months of daily protest. No wonder Shell to Sea is drawing back from such a cynical operation. The loss of a life would not be worth it but it looks that the Gardai would not worry.

by stunned Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:44

I agree with all the posters who argued against this cancellation and the idea of roling back the demand Shell to Sea, to just a demand for the courts to solve it. The courts, like the police, are Shell's! Rossport 5 were imprisoned by the courts, as were the Bin Tax protestors!

This decision wasn't taken democratically by the locals, it was the result of an ultimatum posed by certain key public figures who write press releases. They said either cancel it or i'm leaving. This shows once again why a dedicated, fighting leadership was needed to give a lead in tactics, arguments and demands. This weak leadership has done what the govt. and shell could never have done - derailed this campaign.

by shell to sea supporter Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:34

I welcome all the support for the Day of Action in the comments. This must be heartening for Shell to Sea locally.

To harness all that goodwill would those who had intended to travel to Bellanaboy decide to do a sit down protest across the gates of Cabinet buildings from 7 - 10 am on the Friday morning. After all we want to get the message to the Taoiseach and he will be at work on Friday.

This is simply a suggestion and look forward to hearing views. It only takes a leadership of ten. It is a support action.

As the people of Mayo made us aware of the issue we have to respect local judgement.

by Jerimiah Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:28

This decision by the Shell to Sea campaign must be accepted by all of us who are involved and have worked in support of the campaign over the last 18 months. The people in Mayo took a decision not to go ahead with the protest on Friday and that needs to be respected.

Likewise however, we have an obligation as activists to give our analysis of the decision. I would agree with the sentiments expressed here that this was a substantial tactical error. Whatever reason the campaign gives, the perception, whether true or not, is that the Campaign backed down in the face of attacks from the establishment media, fed to them by the cops and Shell.

I can understand the need to avoid serious injury or even worse. And I do think there is a need for more discipline on the side of protestors in the face of Garda violence, and more of a plan for what happens on those days instead of the somewhat anarchic wandering up and down the road we have seen in the past. But to unilaterally suspend the use of blockades and national mobilisations is not the answer.

I would strongly dispute the argument that the campaign was 'losing' the publicity battle. I have been genuinely surprised at the level of support for the protest and opposition to Garda actions I have encountered, and this is not some introspective group of lefty agitators, but conservative FF/FG voting people I met while home at the weekend. I think the campaign has underestimated the ability of the Irish people to see through propaganda and, just at a time when I believe the media assaults were running out of steam a little, the campaign backs off.

The other concern is the difficulty this creates for mobilising for future days of action. In order to get a bus full of activists to Bellanaboy, people need to book time off work, they need to make family and childcare arrangements. Comrades need to be mobilised. The more momentum there is, the easier this is do to. This decision cripples that momentum.

As for the rally on 2nd December, whoever came up with that needs their heads examined. I'm surprised Dublin Shell to Sea are going ahead with it. Fourth Saturday before Christmas. Guaranteed to be freezing and probably wet, with twelve days to mobilise for it and now trying to mobilise in the aftermath of the decision taken at the weekend.

Obviously, we need to work together over the coming weeks to make it a success, but it would be hard to imagine a more difficult environment to get four or five thousand people, and yes that is what we are talking about if we want to make sure it does not look smaller than the march after the men were released last year, out on the streets.

The decision was a victory for the inhabitants of Middle Abbey Street, Corrib House and the Phoenix Park. But while we can disagree with the decision, and I would argue we have an obligation to explain why to the people at the Mayo end, we cannot challenge the right of local people at the coalface to be the ones to make it. Heads must not drop, but must rise up again and focus on Dece,ber 2nd and trying to get out everyone we possibly can.

by Strategist Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:25

The Solidarity Day has not been cancelled- it has been postponed. The activists in this campaign now have an opportunity to take stock, and work towards achieving their goal- sending Shell to Sea, and also stopping Fianna Fáil giving away the country's natural resources to their friends in big business.

Further Days of Action will undoubtedly be a part of this process. However these days need to be properly organised and fit into a strategic plan for the whole campaign. At the moment the Gardaí can use them as an excuse for causing disruption and extreme violence.

Non Violent Direct Action has a part to play in this campaign. It must be planned thoroughly and used strategically to ensure that the refinery at Bellanaboy will never be built.

by Miriam Cotton Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:06

With respect to the S2S spokespeople, but this is capitulation to intimidation and violence. S2S is the most successful environmental campaign of its kind in Ireland and if it caves in, none of the others stand a chance. The pattern will be set. Democratic processes in Ireland are dead - it's naive to believe that any process overseen by this government will not result in an outcome favourable to Shell - regardless of the facts. The tea-and-cucumber-sandwich school of protest is not going to accomplish anything here. Besdies, participation in a truly independent enquiry will not prevent the project from proceeding meantime. Every comparable protest campaign in Ireland is bogged down in government processes and procedures - designed to wear ordinary people down. The government plays an expesive and drawn out waiting game which it knows only it can 'win' in the long run anyway. But why does it have to be either /or anyway? There is nothing to stop S2S from participating in an independent enquiry while continuing their effective peaceful protest. From anecdotal evidence it seems that most people realise that the media reports are fixed in favour of Shell. This is the wrong time to change tack - a serious miscalucation by S2S.

by anon Mon Nov 20, 2006 17:01

I disagree with the decision been taken here and especially the reasons why it has come about. This will show major weakness from S2S. It will also send a clear message to the state that all it needs to do to get rid of annoyances that stand in the way of their personal gain is to batter them. Reasess please.

by Celia S Mon Nov 20, 2006 16:19

This is a big mistake on the part of Shell to Sea. It will fortify Shell & the Government in their obstinacy. This will be seen as a sign of a lack of resolve on the part of Shell to Sea to take this struggle to the next level. I trust that some people at least see that this struggle needs to be taken to the next level? If not, all the 6am roadside pickets in the world will not stop the terminal being built.

Celia S.

by AV.Fitzgerald Mon Nov 20, 2006 16:08

Yes I think we have to be tactical. The picturesbelow show what we are up against

by Jaws Mon Nov 20, 2006 15:57

The momentum behind the shell to sea campaign has been built to its greatest potential in months. It wasn't easy, and a lot of people had to stand in cold wet pickets and take a battering to achieve the level of support and publicity we have now, to call off the protest due to Garda intimidation could be a serious blow to the campaign.
If the protest was going ahead the garda would be unable to go in with the same heavy handed tactics now that the national media is watching them, the Corrib refinery has become a national issue, and various TD's have come out in support of the protestors. Their bullying tactics would be shown to have failed. Now that we are going to bow to their pressure they have found a working formula for breaking up any future protests.

Besides the point of bowing to garda intimidation, putting our faith solely in the legal and judicial process is flawed as we have already heard the taoiseach and the minister for resources say that the consultation process is over and the work will not be stopped. They have already ignored various reports from independant sources that did not suit their own agenda, what leads you to believe that this one will be any different?

i just hope that those who have worked hard so far wont become disillusioned by this decision, and that we can still get the same level of support for any future action...

by Eastman20 Mon Nov 20, 2006 15:48

This is a big mistake. We have to keep up the momentum, if we stop now it may be difficult to get started again. The majority of people are on our side, so we need to take advantage of this good will. Has regards to health and safety; it is not true to say that if you go to Ballinaboy you are going to get injured. Only those who sit on the road are putting themselves at risk from police brutality and thats a personal choice they have to make. Also everybody in this country has a right to be there as this is a national campaign, the gas give away effects everyone in the country.

The demo in Dublin on the 2nd should go ahead in order to get new people involved and help spread the campaign. Though it should not be counterpoised to the day of solidarity in Mayo.

by Conamara support Mon Nov 20, 2006 15:30

Is the march in dublin still going ahead?

by Bill Mon Nov 20, 2006 15:29

Calling off the day of solidarity is a big mistake. The only way the forward this campaign is through mass demonstration up in Bellanaboy, and when the support is there, around the country also.

I know first hand the aggression and heavy-handedness of the gardaí demonstrated at the last day of action. It is obviously regrettable that this happened, but we have to realise that a lot of these gardaí are absolute scum, of course there are ok ones too, but they are in the minority.

Further days of action should go ahead, but they should be organised to a tee. Travelling and native protestors should be briefed and warned about the garda brutality. Safety measures such as staying in large groups and wearing protective/padded clothing should be advised.

By calling the demonstration off altogether, you are only giving the gardaí exactly what they want. The idea behind using such force is to discourage protest and quash the entire campaign.

As for the point made regarding disruption to the local community, this is also regrettable. Local people should be allowed to take their children to school and go to work unharassed (providing they don't work on building an illegal, unendorsed refinery or the kind!). This was a despicable measure brought in by the gardaí, but I'm afraid I can't think of a solution other than warning locals that the road may be blocked between such and such a time and putting up some signs.

Finally, the statement reads: "The Shell to Sea proposal to establish an independent Commission of Enquiry remains the only viable method to resolve this crisis" This is ridiculous. We cannot keep putting our faith in inquiries, commissions and legal action. The government and courts are NOT on our side. The only way forward is to go up to Bellanaboy and block the convoy by sitting on the road or some other form of peaceful protest.

We are at an important point in the campaign. If we lose support in the coming weeks, it may be very hard to revive. We need to keep up the protest and try to bring new layers around us by having public meetings around the county and country.

Do not listen to Gerry Cowley, we must forbear...