On March 18th the Irish Anti-War Movement will march to mark the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and to call on our government to withdraw support for the US/UK led occupation. Thousand’s of people will march from Parnell Sq. What impact will this have? Could we be doing more?
300,000 US troops passed through Ireland en route to Iraq in 2005. Former US marine Jimmy Massey confirmed that these troops are carrying depleted uranium rounds, a hazardous substance that will scar Iraq for years to come. CIA planes which are used to transport prisoners to places of torture have used Shannon and Baldonnel airports many times. Are we to take the word of the US government, who lied about the WMD, that they have always been empty?
Politicians calling on McDowell to have our police force search planes at Shannon is little more than a stunt. They know well that the Gardai follow government orders and that the government is in alliance with the US military. Petitioning them is a waste of time.
The war in Iraq is not just an oil or imperialist war, it is a war of rich against poor - a class war. Unemployed working class American youths are forced by poverty into a military who promise an education and income they would be unable to otherwise get. It is always the poorest elements of society who must fight their leaders wars. So far over 2,500 Americans and an estimated 100,000 Iraqis have died.
In 2003 a series of direct actions took place in Shannon warport. They ranged from activists destroying a US warplane to pulling down the security fence and runway occupations. This led to 3 out of 4 US military contractors pulling out of Shannon for a short period. It is only through returning the focus to Shannon and building a strong and active movement against the state’s complicity in the war that we can win.
Marching is not enough .
What You Can Do!
- Join the Red and Black contingent on the March 18th demo!
- Organise/Re-organise a local anti-war group in your school, college or community.
- Organise talks, debates and film screenings in your area.
- Occupy/Picket your local TD’s office demanding US withdrawal from Shannon.
- Make stickers or stencils to get your message heard.
- Organise a clandestine or mass trespass/demonstration for Shannon or Baldonnel.
- Get involved with PANA (www.pana.ie) Catholic Worker (www.warontrial.com) or Grassroots Network Against War.
Saturday March 18th 2006, 2pm @ Parnell Square
Join the red and black bloc, for a creative and militant alternative!
Links: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/74382
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/74383
http://anarchistyouth.blogspot.com
