Victory to the Thomas Crook Workers
Image © Michael Gallagher

When a force of 80 – 100 gardai arrived at the Thomas Cooke office in Grafton Street Dublin at 5a.m. on Tuesday 4th August, smashed the door down, and dragged 28 protesting workers off to the Bridewell Garda Station, the Irish state was attempting to deliver a strong message to all workers.

Related Links:
Gardaí arrest Thomas Cook staff | Thomas Cook occupied by workers | Eleven Weeks and Counting – Support the Mr. Binman Strikers | Two Anti-Shell Campaigners Jailed for Civil Disobedience | Element Six Jobs Massacre

Throughout the bank holiday weekend, there had been a tremendous outpouring of public support for the workers’ occupation from the general public. (see http://www.wsm.ie/internal_article/5861 for the background to the occupation). The state could not afford to allow this struggle to become a focal point for growing anger with the manner in which ordinary people are being made to pay for the financial crisis caused by wealthy bankers and property developers.

Gently Down the Stream

Irish (and tourist) people wake up to a sign of the coming times in Dublin.

Hello friends,

This Morning, Saturday the 8th August at 7am, Irish Friends of Palestine Against Lisbon (IFPAL) launched the Vote No To Lisbon raft on the River Liffey in Dublin City Centre.

Irish Friends of Palestine Against Lisbon are calling for Irish voters to oppose the Lisbon Treaty in the forthcoming re-run of the Lisbon Treaty Referendum, a referendum that is exactly the same as the one they have rejected already. VOTE NO to Lisbon on October 2nd.

Issued on behalf of IFPAL.

Related Links:
Irish Friends of Palestine Against Lisbon put their case to the public in Dublin's Grafton Street | Green Party U-Turn on a Democratic EU | The Lisbon Treaty and the Triumph of Technocracy | Debut of Irish Friends of Palestine Against Lisbon outside Dublin EU Parliament Offices | 13 Things the Lisbon Treaty Would Do | The Legal guarantees on Lisbon Treaty will not change treaty - a propaganda stunt to mislead voters | Dáil shouldn't have inferior Lisbon Treaty powers to German Parliament, controlling ministers | The Lisbon Treaty, Alan Shatter and the guys in hoods! | Lisbon Treaty News: German Constitutional Court delays Germany’s ratification of the Lisbon Treaty | The Gurantees: Comment by Jens-Peter Bonde | Spoofing the Irish media and public with Lisbon “guarantees” that guarantee nothing | Supposed ‘hard fight’ to secure guarantees on Lisbon Treaty: a clever tactic to mislead says McKenna | Lisbon: Round Two - A bosses charter, with or without 'guarantees' | The Lisbon Assurances - A Closer Look

Irish Friends of Palestine Against Lisbon Website - www.ifpal.ie

A Section of the Striking Workers

• Do you remember when Dublin Port was a key local employer, and the Docklands were the location of thriving industries?

• Do you support workers rights, hard fought for and won for us by previous generations?

These are now under threat at Marine Terminal in Dublin Port. The owners, the UK based Peel Group, have targeted Dublin workers, some of whom live locally in Dockland communities.

Related Links:
Dublin Port Workers Under Attack - DEMONSTRATION NOTICE | Gardaí arrest Thomas Cook staff | Thomas Cook occupied by workers | Eleven Weeks and Counting – Support the Mr. Binman Strikers | Element Six Jobs Massacre | Electricians´ success should give confidence that we can fight, and we can win | Mayday From Tesco in Douglas, Cork. 'If You Tolerate This . . . Who'll Be Next?' | Workers' Issues on Indymedia.ie

Afri - Aid From Ireland

Afri expressed dismay today after RTE refused to broadcast an advertisement submitted by them on the grounds that it ‘references persons involved with the Rossport/Shell campaign’ The 20 second advertisement, is promoting an Afri gig entitled ‘That’s Gas…’

Related Links:
Hidden History or Hidden Agenda | Coolacrease book exposes RTE propaganda | Lisbon Treaty RTE Coverage unbalanced in favour of Yes Side

Afri's Website - www.afri.ie
Making a Complaint to RTE

Some of the 150 Strong Force used to End the Occupation

At 5 AM this morning, over 150 Garda took part in an opperation to remove Thomas Cook workers who had occupied the building.They sealed off the street, dragged peaceful demonstrators away from the front door,and smashed their way in with a battering ram.

Related Links:
Belfast picket outside Thomas Cook Today at lunchtime
Protest to support Thomas Cook Workers
Thomas Cook occupied by workers

Keep the pressure up: Contact ALL TDs, Senators, and MEPs in Ireland and let them know how you feel about this - Contact.ie