The non-violent protest outside the Norwegian embassy started at around midday and continued for more than an hour. Police were called but no arrests made. A samba band played and and one policeman complained that the band really needed a string section. It was a good humoured demo, but the point was made. I have personally seen a video of the protests in Ireland and was shocked at the violent way the police delt with often quite elderly protesters who include local fishermen and farmers. I saw them being beaten with battons, pushed and punched.


Press release by demonstrators.

The demonstration held yesterday 22nd March, 2007, by a nationwide autonomous collective, was highlighting Norway's state-owned Statoild and gas company's present involvement in the proposed gas pipeline adn refinery development in the West of Ireland at Rossport, county Mayo.

Statoil has an alleged ethical policy, but there are not ethics involved in this development and no local support or consultation. The company, and thus the Norwegian government, are promoting human rights abuses by supporting the Irish State's policy of brutal suppression of the right to protest using the Irish police (Garda), and polluting Carrowmore Lake, the local drinking water supply.

This group is issuing a demand to Norway and Statoil to stop its part in this development or face a call for a tourist boycott of Norway and disruption of Norwegian trade and commerce to the UK.