The deportees back on Irish soil

Today family, friends and supporters welcomed home the five Irish MV Rachel Corrie passengers who were this morning deported from Israel. The five – Denis Halliday, Mairead Maguire, Fiona Thompson, Derek Graham and Jenny Graham – were greeted in Dublin airport by cheers and hugs from the assembled crowd who were there to salute their bravery, as well as a large media presence.

Related Links: At Least 9 Internationals Killed As Israel Attacks And Hijacks Gaza Flotilla In International Waters
Israel to deport all 680 Flotilla passengers - Irishman reported 'roughed up' by interrogators
Gaza Flotilla: Press Conference with Shane Dillon today at 2pm, Central Hotel, Dublin
Freedom Flotilla: Irish on the way home (via Istanbul) / Audio of Shane Dillon / Dublin Demo on Sat
Freedom Flotilla: Fintan Lane speaks of his harrowing experience
Full Steam Ahead for MV Rachel Corriie
MV Rachel Corrie 80 Miles from Gaza
MV Rachel Corrie Boarded by Israeli Forces
Following Flotilla Massacre, Repression Continues Apace in the West Bank

At least 9 international human rights activists may have been killed and dozens more injured after Israeli commandos attacked the unarmed Gaza Freedom Flotilla early this morning in international waters, according to reports from the flotilla organisers, while Israeli military sources confirmed at least 9 dead. This attack is a clear breach of international law.

Related Links:
youtube footage from RT | BBC news | Times report | Cowen condems attack (independent) | Al Jazeera report
Earlier reports as story broke-
Israeli War Ships approaching Freedom Flotilla to Gaza in international Waters | Israeli warships harass Gaza Flotilla in International Waters | Israel forces attack Freedom Gaza flotilla - Activists critically injured
Previous related reports- Gaza Freedom Flotilla in final stages of trip | Waterford IPSC Thanks Local Builders, Trade Unionists, Individuals Who Donated To Gaza Aid Flotilla | Israel continues to threaten Flotilla despite Irish TDs promise to deliver letter to Shalit | Freedom Flotilla of Aid expected to reach Gaza within 48 hours despite threats from the Israeli Navy
Take action:
Express your disgust at Israel's behaviour to your TD here..
Protests on Monday 31st May 2010 in reaction to massacre-
Protest in Cork today at Israeli massacre
Belfast Protest in solidarity with the Freedom Flotilla
Galway demo at M&S
Ramallah Protest Against Massacre of Human Rights Activists in Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Update (Monday 31st 17:48) -
3 Irish safe after Israeli assault on Freedom Flotilla – 2 refuse deportation, still in detention

State Repression (as it always has been)

Not really sure where to post this—just got thinking about repression and state power etc. and thought I would share some observations on the subject with whoever’s interested. Yes, it ended up being more of an essay than a post but what the hell—feels good to get it off my chest.

Related Links: Court rules Garda Supt. M. Larkin responsible for Violation of the Rights of Shell to Sea activists. http://www.indymedia.ie/article/96213
Shell ignores the law but gets campaigners jailed http://www.indymedia.ie/article/96137
Erris Rally of Solidarity with 'the Chief' Pat O'Donnell. http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95932
Eoin O'Leidhin - Interview http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95907
Another Shell to Sea Campaigner Imprisoned. http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95900
Shell retreats as solidarity with Pat O'Donnell continues http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95880
Court Report from Mayo http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95776
Shell Corrib Gas - Who are the real Thugs & Bullies? http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95795
Massive Works Planned in Erris Waters while "The Chief" is in Jail http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95785
Community Power at the Rossport Solidarity Camp http://www.indymedia.ie/article/95731
Bolivian Peasant leader comes to Ireland to demand IRMS investigation http://www.indymedia.ie/article/94855
Corrib Pipeline (Bord Pleanala Decision) http://www.indymedia.ie/article/94649
Orwellian Ireland http://www.indymedia.ie/article/70223

"the pathetic excuse of humanitarian aid"

On January 28th, we had the chance to have a telephone talk with Camilla Chalmers, from the Plateforme Haïtienne de Plaidoyer pour un Développement Alternatif (Haitian Platform in Defence of an Alternative Development, PAPDA), in Port-au-Prince. Here we transcribe the questions and answers we could exchange in spite of the natural difficulties of communication in these circumstances. We believe his opinions represent a contribution to understand what’s really going on in Haiti, they contradict the official version of the media and give us a very precise notion of the type of solidarity that the Haitian people need –and that we should not fail to give.

Related Links:
The forest behind the trees: what’s behind the US occupation of Haiti? | Wikipedia on Haiti | Code Noir | Namoi Klein – My date with Aristide | Haiti's children die in UN crossfire | An Interview with Jean-Bertrand Aristide | Al Jazerra Haiti coverage | What Future for Haiti? - An Interview with Patrick Elie by Reed Lindsey | Taking us to democracy like cattle to a killing house - Patrick Elie | Haiti's Catch-22 - An interview with Patrick Elie | Interview with Aristide's lawyer, Miami-based Ira Kurzban | Will Criminal Gangs Take Control in Haiti's Chaos? | Fear of the poor is hampering Haiti rescue | Haiti's streets 'safer than before earthquake | US troop landings delay Haiti aid | Why the U.S. Owes Haiti Billions | The Rescue Operation's Priorities in Haiti | US accused of 'occupying' Haiti as troops flood in | Haiti - a history of intervention, occupation and resistance | Strong aftershock hits Haiti | Naomi Klien's document | has the world failed Haiti? (video) | US aid relative to other countries | The Incapacitation of Haiti | Against the grain main site | Haiti - a beginners guide (indy link)

Give These People Food and Medicine, not troops

Anyone judging from the huge numbers of troops mobilised to Haiti could reasonably believe that this is a country in the middle of a brutal civil war instead of a nation hit by a deadly earthquake. While the Media has been feeding constantly news of murder, mayhem, and gangsters supposedly in control of Haitian streets, together with calls for a “strong arm” and “security” to make possible the delivery of relief, the reality seems to be quite another. Medical and Food assistance has been largely delayed by a cobweb of inefficiency, bureaucracy and negligence and not for “security” issues. In the meantime, hungry and thirsty Haitians have been largely looking for their beloved ones under the rubble with their bare hands. Very few doctors and relief agencies have dared to go to the streets of Port-au-Prince, where precious assistance –currently stockpiling in the airport- is much needed.

Related Links:
Wikipedia on Haiti | Code Noir | Namoi Klein – My date with Aristide | Haiti's children die in UN crossfire | An Interview with Jean-Bertrand Aristide | Al Jazerra Haiti coverage | What Future for Haiti? - An Interview with Patrick Elie by Reed Lindsey | Taking us to democracy like cattle to a killing house - Patrick Elie | Haiti's Catch-22 - An interview with Patrick Elie | Interview with Aristide's lawyer, Miami-based Ira Kurzban | Will Criminal Gangs Take Control in Haiti's Chaos? | Fear of the poor is hampering Haiti rescue | Haiti's streets 'safer than before earthquake | US troop landings delay Haiti aid | Why the U.S. Owes Haiti Billions | The Rescue Operation's Priorities in Haiti | US accused of 'occupying' Haiti as troops flood in | Haiti - a history of intervention, occupation and resistance | Strong aftershock hits Haiti | Naomi Klien's document | has the world failed Haiti? (video) | US aid relative to other countries | The Incapacitation of Haiti | Against the grain main site | Haiti - a beginners guide (indy link)

Another Gig for Haiti - Thursday 28 Jan @ 8pm [Le Cirk, 32 Dame Street, D2, (€2 entrance)]

LASC meeting on Haiti, Thursday 28 Jan @ 7.00 [Seomra Spraoi, 10 Belvidere Court, Dublin 1]

Haiti: Solidarity Not Occupation (meeting / speakers) Cork Tuesday 02 Feb @ 8pm [Solidarity books, 43 Douglas st].

LASC meeting on Haiti in Galway on Feb 2 @ 7.00 [bridge mills, Galway]