Rossport Solidarity Camp Returns to Glengad with a Fresh Call Out for Action.

by Dublin Shell to Sea. Tue Aug 26, 2008 16:22 dublins2s at gmail dot com

Dublin Shell to Sea are meeting TONIGHT Tuesday 26th Aug, at 7pm at Connolly Books, Temple Bar.

by Niall - Pics by Simon Foster. Tue Aug 26, 2008 16:56

Friday 22nd August.

Gardaí & Shell Security attempt unsuccessfully to blockade the beach. They are challenged by protesters, boaters and swimmers who refuse to be blockaded from the water.

Jim Farrell is head of security for Shell security firm 'Integrated Risk Management Services'. He has NO AUTHORITY to deploy his security personnel on the beach.

Shell Security stopping the public from entering the water on the public beach.

by Niall - Pics by Simon Foster. Tue Aug 26, 2008 17:21

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Gardaí look on as protesters assert their rights to access the water.

Garda Inspector Martin Byrne, in charge of Shell 'beach occupations / operations'.

by Niall - Pics by Simon Foster Tue Aug 26, 2008 17:29

Shell creatures go back to their cage.

by Niall Tue Aug 26, 2008 17:58

Despite being told by local landowners that they'd given permission to the camp to be on their land, Supt. Gilligan favours the complaints of another family member to invoke 'public order' legislation against the camp and gives the camp till 3pm Sunday to leave.

Locals arrive at the camp on Sunday 24th to support campers should they wish to resist an eviction. A meeting on camp between campers and locals arrives at a consensus to accept the offer of another field from a neighbour, in order to avoid a distracting confrontation.

Campers inform Supt. Gilligan that they'll be gone by Monday nightfall. Supt. Gilligan agrees.

Gardaí come to the camp to deliver an ultimatum.

Supt. John Gilligan (right) with Sgt. Martha Lohan & Inspector Martin Byrne (left).

Local support at the camp on 3pm Sunday ...

... and at the gate ...

... and along the road

by Niall Tue Aug 26, 2008 18:08

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From one field ...

... to another!

Cheers Val.

1, 2, 3, LIFT!

by Simon. Tue Aug 26, 2008 18:28

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by Simon Tue Aug 26, 2008 18:55

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Sea shepherds take note if ye around!

by Andy Wilson Tue Aug 26, 2008 19:49 andy at sustainability dot ie

More power to everyone involved in the action in north Mayo. You are an inspiration to the rest of Ireland ( and further afield) that ordinary people can successfully take on the multinational corporations.

The Irish government's continued role in facilitating the Bellanaboy refinery project, in the full knowledge that the entire planning process is flawed, that breaches of environmental law are taking place on almost a daily basis, and that the social fabric of the Kilcommon community will most likely be irreparably damaged, whilst fully aware THAT ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS EXIST is nothing short of criminal.

This battle is about more than bringing the gas ashore in a fair, equitable and environmentally responsible way, it is about justice.

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/Ploughshares Wed Aug 27, 2008 03:26

Solidarity with y'all up there..

Wish I could make it on the road but doesn't look likely this week.
Would y'all consider making a callout forsimultaneous solidarity actions at Shell garages, Shell HQ, Irish embassies at one specific time or day.

If you make it for next week t maygive time to spread word of mouth over the weekend (Electric Picnis and other gatherings), if you think
a more immediate response is needed make it for this week or make it two call outs (eg. Thurs or Friday this week and Mon or Tues next.)

From NVDA experience at isolated intense contexts (Roxby '84, Daintree '86, Jabiluka '98 and several trials here and there) - when you're in the middle of the face off there is a tendency to narrow the calls for responses folks can make geographiclly. Those, who for whatever reason, can't make it to Mayo shouldn't think that they can't do anything at this important time of nonviolent confrontation. The cities hold the the sites of the suits making the decisions, or passively collaborating to go along to get along.

These gatherings of public solidarity in the cities can be important paces for face to face info sharing and even fundraising to support the NVDA on the ground up there.

Maybe the movement needs to return to the rhythym of simultaneous public solidarity so effectively sustained during the jailings of the Rossport 5!
Just a thuought. Many thanx to the localsand people who have travelled up there at this time for this face off.

by belmullet coward Wed Aug 27, 2008 14:50

Let no one think that local support is limited for Shell to Sea and Pobal Cill Coman - there are many like myself that knows what shell is doing is wrong and supports this group but cowardly lets them do all the work in stopping shell- you are all heroes and I thank you and you will win out the end I have no doubt. I would go so far as to say that nearly all of ERRIS is behind you.

by Rossport Solidarity Camp Wed Aug 27, 2008 18:58

Financial assistance to the Rossport Solidarity Camp is very much appreciated and needed to sustain this ongoing voluntary effort.

Donations can be made to:

ACCOUNT: The Rossport Solidarity Camp Account
BANK: Bank of Ireland, Belmullet, Co Mayo.
SORT CODE: 90-52-99
A/C NUMBER: 24306733
BANK ID: BOFIE2D

Thank you.

by Stevo Wed Aug 27, 2008 23:05 stevolende at ylycos dot com

Glad to see the camp got sorted out ok. Just hope the beach access is as good. I'll see about getting back up pretty soon and hope I can be of help. Unless I'm more useful in Galway.
I'm trying to spread the word wherever I can.
Was very interesting to hear Ferghal's interview and I hope it does create more widespread amounts of bodies getting up there.
If you haven't been up yet you really should get up and see what the area looks like now before its permanently spoilt. At the moment there is just an eyesore fence screwing up a beautiful beach. In 6 months time if this goes ahead that damage will be far more widespread. & they've yet to extend that fence right through Rossport as some fear.
strikes me that 20,000 Eur is not enough of a golden handshake if you're never going to be able to fish the area again too. Don't think it'd exactly last that long.
Anything else I need to say beyond good luck.? Fighting downright evil tends to be pretty tiring. So added numbers means the longterm hardcore get some relief occasionally. Thanks for your dedication those of you that applies to.
Oh yeah 1 thing that has struck me recently was the Topaz (Shell/Statoil front co.) Work In Progress posters for the turn over from previous owners cos I don't think it could be more apt for our campaign

all too true, now get lost

by Ian from Dublin - Plane Mad Thu Aug 28, 2008 02:01

Fair play to you all, good decisions and great effort! I can't wait to get back up there to you which I will certainly do next monday. row yer boat!

by Starstruck - S2S Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:53

This morning about 50 - 60 Shell to Sea protesters gathered at the gates of the shore based compound from 6.30am and halted all entrance and exit to the compound until 8.45.
A force of about 30 Gardai assembled slowly and eventually issued an order to unblock the entrance or there would be forceful removal and potential arrests.
The initial order was ignored by the protesters and the Gardai retreated about 10 metres to brainstorm for half an hour.
They then,with increased numbers , issued a second order to vacate and moved in.
Rather than entertain the confrontation the Shell to Sea protesters moved away from the gate and went en masse to the camp for a cup of tea.
There are much tougher and more important battles ahead in the near future with the imminent arrival of the Solitaire and the thought was that there was no real need to risk losing numbers at this action to arrest and/or injury.
The resistance continues!!
Full report with photos to follow.

by Joe Byrne Thu Aug 28, 2008 16:43

I Agree with Ciarian of CW's group, that something should be done in the capital city and elsewhere for those who can not get to Mayo.

by Stevo - Galway Shell to Sea Thu Aug 28, 2008 18:00 Stevolende at lycos dot com

Just read the comment about actions in the rest of the country for those who can't get to Mayo.
I'm wondering what public reaction to the newspaper stories from last week were. Mainly because I think they may be getting the story without its context. (would hope that it was obvious that the bucket being emptied above Owen was inherently negative, but the Garda comments about how dangerous the protests were becoming & that they should stop forthwith sticks in my mind. Why is it dangerous? Oh yeah must be the protestors).
Point I'm getting to is that it would indeed be a great idea that awareness raising actions be done across the country. Something to show those not in the know the truth about National Natural Resources. This has already been presented in the press on several occasions in ways counter the campaign, that we're blocking the usage of resources that will increase revenue to the country instead of attempting to highlight the opposite.
Not sure what the best way to do this would be. Needs immediate impact on the consciousness of an apathetic public without creating any negative connotations to the campaign. I have thought that since Erris is so isolated the general public are only receiving the 'information' about localised Days of Action up there through a media that is far from on our side. Those that are remotely in the know are probably readers of this site already & something needs to be done to bridge the gulf to those who aren't.
I'm sure suggestions of possible effective (non-violent) actions will be welcomed by the various ShellToSea groups across the country.
I think that for this campaign to be truly effective we need public support from people who are aware or made aware of what is actually happening & what the results of that will be. Otherwise it would be a case of simply delaying a prescribed outcome. Just hope it can be delayed long enough for the nation to wake up to it.

by Starstruck Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:45

The two protesters arrested have,as mentioned above ,been released.
The Garda presence in the area is still heavy.
Several protesters were injured this morning,including one local woman who received a blow to the mouth from a Garda.
Other injuries are minor,including sprains and cuts.
There were about 60-70 participants in todays blockades,numbers are gradually increasing,there is fresh energy in the air.
The Navy gunboat looms on the horizon,its canon pointed at the people it is supposed to protect.
The State and Shell have escalated their brutality in response to the escalation in peaceful protest,more solidarity is needed!
Come to Erris,there is a role for everyone to play,one that will suit all capabilities,skills and limits.
The window is slowly closing on Shell in terms of the length of time they have the Solitaire and the weather remaining reasonable,it is possible to delay this project significantly (several years wait to rent the Solitaire) by stopping their attempts at laying this section of pipe.
We can do it - for the beauty and safety of the area and for our people's natural resources!

by Chrissie Sat Aug 30, 2008 20:09

Please support this valuable action in any way you can - as Ciaron & Stevo say, you can stay near yr home & do a lot, you can throw some euros in the pot, you can spread the word at yr college/school/union/church/social space, etc.,
Best wishes to Shell to Sea & the Erris people - the West's Awake! The people there & their supporters are dedicated to saving the land from environmental disaster, & it's a great symbol of courage, & resistance to State corruption & greed. Come to Glengad if ye can, for inspiration, learning & good company, or support us from afar.

by what the..? Sat Aug 30, 2008 22:47

someone has decided to respond by making a video for youtube- couldn't see the face behind the mask, but may be Cllr Keith Martin? Good for a laugh anyway. (If only the solidarity camp was really like this)

Caption: Video Id: mAbZoN0sNiQ Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

by FSB! - RSC (pers cap) Sun Aug 31, 2008 19:31

Well done theclericjohnfranc for producing this side-splitting propaganda spoof! We at the Rossport Solidarity Camp really enjoyed watching and sharing this well-made original video. It has helped to introduce some humour into what remains a tense situation here, and it has added to our good spirits here as we face down Shell and their state allies.

I half-expect the Independent News & Media rags to latch on to this spoof (and deliberately miss the point) in their hysterical pursuit of cartoon enemies that their hacks can hiss at and use to libel the struggle for safety and resources for Erris' and Ireland's people. I can see the Sindo headline now - 'Islamofascist IRA-style Thugs Call for Corrib Gas Holy War'.

Well it beats the 'English hippies' shite that's being peddled about by INM and their establishment backers!

by workers solidarity Sun Aug 31, 2008 21:58

It's been claimed that the ordinary security workers on the Shell sites at Glengad and Ballainaboy are not being treated very well and there is friction with the new security staff.

Some of the older staff, from Eastern Europe, have been told they are to be let go at the end of September.

This could be a good time for staff members who are unhappy with Shell to undo some of the damage the project is doing.

They may even be reading this article. If you want to help, There is no point in contacting indymedia.

Contact the solidarity camp at the email address at the top of this article: [email protected]
or call the phone number.

szczęście

by Michael Gallagher - Photojournalist Mon Sep 01, 2008 02:53 libertypics at yahoo dot co dot uk

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The Ogoni Nine Memorial

by shelly Mon Sep 01, 2008 13:48

Do the security worker's pictured have the new security licence's, if not there company can be reported to ISIA. Huge cost to company if they are not properly licenced worker's. Check it out and report them.

by linker Mon Sep 01, 2008 18:02

From the Times:

GARDAÍ POLICING the protest about Shell's Corrib gas project have enlisted the help of Interpol following an influx of eco-protesters into Mayo from the UK and continental Europe.

Interpol, the international police intelligence co-operation agency, is helping to identify some of the foreign national eco-protesters, whose number has significantly increased in recent weeks, according to Garda sources.

by Al Amin Mon Sep 01, 2008 18:50

The video is a great lift! It will stand for years to come when the words of Nabi Maurayam are shown to be true. Victory to the Mayo resistance!

by Me - Us Wed Sep 03, 2008 08:29

...this is all very fine, BUT......how much more 'passive resistance' is bearable before the penny drops? If this campaign is going to have even a sniff of winning, there has got to be a big rethink on tactics.

Ps. Why are the reports/links only going back to a few weeks ago?

Excellent video, well done to all concerned.

by Ciaron - Catholic Worker/Ploughshares Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:06

OK

Rossport ain't my organsing priority.
I'm still focused on the U.S. wars on Iraq & Afghanistan and Irish complicity in them.
....but if Dublin based Rossport solidarity activists want to do some solidarity public demo/vigil/manifestation
(regular or one off) while our people are taking risks up at Rossport, I'll do my best to get my ass to such events in Dublin.

At this time of nonviolent confrontation it shouldn't be a situation of get your ass to Rossport or sit on your ass.

In my experience, the more solidarity there is the easier the resistance will be and more likely it will be sustained!
When your up there in those of geographically isolated places and in the middle of such intense confrontation with the state (whether that be at Faslane, Roxby, Jabiluka, Tara, Shannon, Rossport, RNC/St.Paul/USA or on trial et. al) you're pretty isolated aginst the powers of the state (cops, Navy, Army) unless there's lot of visibile solidairty going down in other places (Shell garages, embassies, Dublin etc) this canlead to feelins of isolation and on to cynicism. It doesn't have to be this way.......you can feel accomopanied in custody, bobbing about in kayak
or facing off your parents when you get home...if there is a visible movement etc etc You can come out of custody (or whatever) empowered and emboldened, the way the State doesn't want you to come out.

by Michael Gallagher Wed Sep 03, 2008 13:37

....I know there have been protests at Shell stations, wouldn't it be very effective if a serious countrywide boycott campaign was organised...hit them where it hurts....passive resistance to the point of what...being pushed up against a wall?

by FSB! - RSC Wed Sep 03, 2008 14:59

Got this link and story from a well-sussed ex-camper - this is the 'industry' take on why the Solitaire is delayed. The Offshore Oil & Gas News reporter is citing the weather as the primary reason for the delay, and then mentioning Pat O'Donnell's (et al) refusal to be bought off and continuation of exercising his/their right to fish in seas worked by his family (and many other Erris families too) is mentioned in a 'by-the-way-this-floating-peasant-is-annoying' manner. The sole quote from ex-journalist corporate whore John Egan (Shell spokesman & astroturf) just puts the tin hat on things. No mention at all at all of badly corroded pipe sections, the RSC resistance or the still-solid local resistance to this unpopular and thieving project. Big Oil is incapable of seeing the world around them in any terms other than their own, and their industry press must have strong unconscious self-censorship. They'll learn someday soon, though.

'Shell weathers Corrib storm still facing crab corridor'

'DONEGAL, IRELAND: The laying of the Corrib gas pipeline in Broadhaven Bay, Co. Mayo, Ireland, has been postponed by rough weather, said a spokesperson from Shell. The new difficulty adds to a plethora of problems surrounding the pipeline installation.

'The proposed pipeline has been surrounded by controversy since a group of fishermen refused to sign a compensatory agreement for the loss of fishing ground access during the three months needed to lay the pipe.

'The pipeline, servicing the first gas producing plant in Ireland, has also received some local heckles up over discharges from the terminal. Shell asserted that produced water output from the plant would be treated to the highest EU standards and would enter the sea two miles (3.2 km) offshore further benefitting from huge tidal dilution.

'Shell claimed a three-year study has shown that there would be zero impact on the marine environment due to the treated water spill. However, a small group of fishermen who persisted in their claim that the output would have an effect on their environment, managed to secure a goodwill gesture from Shell, which promised to find an alternative way to dispose of the produced water.

'The McDonnell fishermen, who claim to have around 800 crab pots within the pipeline laying corridor, are refusing to move their wares in order for the work to begin. Allseas deepwater pipe-lay vessel Solitaire is sitting in wait off the coast of Donegal for operations to begin.

'Shell E&P Communications Manager John Egan said, "We have all the necessary permit and consents in place to carry out the proposed pipelaying work. We've reached an agreement with 95 percent of the fishermen. No individual fisherman has an exclusive right to fish in any particular corridor.

'"We've issued marine notices asking people not to have pots in the pipeline route. The corridor is two percent of the intensive fishing grounds that these fishermen would use."'

Pat O'Donnell, his family, supporters and legal team would seriously beg to differ with that nice Mr. Egan's take on matters of fishing rights and many other things!

by ECN Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:36

The article quoted above is a response to a story in the previos edition which explains the nature of the protest, comments on the arrests and inclides substantial quotes from Pat O'Donnell's legal representative.
http://www.energycurrent.com/index.php?id=2&storyid=12814

Quoting it without mentioning the previous article, which is clearly linked to on the page, gives a false impression.

It's also possible to comment on stories on energycurrent.com, just like on indymedia.ie, except without a 30 minute delay.

by IshtarCelt Thu Sep 04, 2008 22:11

Is there another copy of the youtube video up above?
I clicked on the embedded link and a message came up telling me that 'this video is no longer available'
yer man that owns Sky owns youtube too, doesn't he?
it's typical....

Well done to all ye strong brave people up in Erris - my thoughts and heart are with ye, though i can't be there physically

by lolcat Thu Sep 04, 2008 23:09

yeah the video has been emoved by youtube - it's not the fist time they have emoved Shell to Sea videos, so it's always worth looking at other similar sites.

The user who posted the comedy intifada video has a page here: http://www.youtube.com/user/theclericjohnfranc

but no new videos yet.