Shannon - the vigils continue

clare | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Thursday July 17, 2008 22:30 by John Lannon

The regular monthly vigil against Shannon’s role in international torture networks and war-mongering took place on Sunday 13 July. Activists gathered at the roundabout just outside the airport and spent an hour reminding the public that there should be no place in Shannon for CIA torture planes or the US military.

Visual reminder to passers by that torture is happening in known and unknown US holding sites

The vigils which have been ongoing since January demand accountability for what is going on at Shannon - for the complicity in war, the international networks of torture, and the routine transiting of munitions and arms across the world. They are also small acts of remembrance of those suffering starvation, displacement, bereavement, torture and isolation as a result. And they are a reminder to the Irish authorities that steps must be taken to investigate whether or not Irish territory and airspace is been used illegally and against our wishes.

As always the peaceful protesters that gathered at Shannon airport on Sunday evening were surrounded by several marked and unmarked police cars and vans. Their occupants monitored the people attending the peaceful vigil closely, burning gallons of petrol as they drove around in aimless circles. They may have their explanations for why there is such a large presence of Gardai in attendance at every vigil, but it certainly doesn’t look like they are there to uphold the right to freedom of assembly and expression.

The presence of the police to monitor peaceful protesters at Shannon is in stark contrast to their refusal to monitoring the torture jets that use the airport, or to question the contents of the munitions/arms carrying planes. This refusal leads to a situation where questions exist over the arrival of all US registered aircraft at Shannon. Indeed while Sunday’s vigil took place, two US-registered executive jets sat on the tarmac inside the airport perimeter fence. These may have been engaged in legitimate activities but without effective investigations and proper reporting on the use of the airport by the CIA and the US military, there are doubts.

It is worth noting that Amnesty International’s June report on Europe’s role in rendition and secret detention reported a high-ranking Romanian official as saying that US pilots routinely filed bogus flight plans, or none at all, and flew to undeclared destinations. There is every possibility that the same is the case with flights into and out of Shannon.

On a more positive note, it was heartening to find that support from passing motorists and passengers seems to be growing. While the majority have not yet mobilised to demand changes at Shannon, there is growing disquiet at the shameful use of the airport to help inflict torture and suffering.

The vigils will continue. Next one is on Sunday August 10th from 5pm to 6.