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Rossport Solidarity

Reporting on the ongoing struggle in Mayo, Ireland against a pipeline build by oil giant Shell

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16-10-2006 15:22

Since late 2000 there has been an on-going attempt by multinationals and the Irish state to devastate a remote coastal area of county Mayo with a toxic refinery and a high pressure production gas pipeline. Since then there has been an ongoing struggle to keep Shell out of Mayo. Pickets, blockades, benefit gigs, demonstrations and speaking tours have been happening all over Ireland, the UK and beyond.

Links: Shell in Mayo | Rossport Solidarity Camp | Shell to Sea | Indymedia Ireland | Indymedia Mayo

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Rossport Solidarity Camp Week of Action 21st-30th June 2013

23-04-2013 11:45

RAGE AGAINST THE BORING MACHINE

Come to act in solidarity with the campaign in Mayo against Shell’s Corrib Gas Project. For over 12 years, the local community have been resisting Shell's plans to force through a high pressure raw gas pipeline and inland refinery. Local people have gone through all possible channels to fight the project.

Let down by the Government; many have been beaten, imprisoned and feel under siege by the security and police. However people continue to protest in order to protect their families, livelihoods and resources. Currently Shell are attempting to tunnel under an EU 'protected' estuary with their tunnel boring machine but they are experiencing major construction problems. If they are having difficulties without protests, imagine how much havoc a little more disruption will cause. Rossport is the frontline of the resistance to ‘Extreme Energy’ extraction in Ireland.

Hot on the heels of the anti-G8 protests, we warmly invite old and new faces to come join us for a week of action against Shell's disastrous project.

If you are new to taking action don’t worry - all kinds of skills and roles are needed during the week of action and you will be able to play a role that you are comfortable with. If you know the area and have ideas for action - get prepared and come with an affinity group if possible.

Links to newswire articles: Shell to Sea campaigner speaking in Bristol, Leeds & Manchester this week | Digger diving | In memory of Ogoni 9 | Community protests at Shell's profit announcement | Trucks blockaded

Other links: Last year's Summer Camp | Rossport Solidarity Camp | Shell to Sea | Mayo topic on indymedia.ie | Rossport Camp Gathering on Facebook | Rossport Solidarity YouTube Video

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Rossport – a decade of struggle against Shell

18-05-2011 06:53

Blocking the tractor

For 10 years there has been a struggle against the Corrib gas project in Western Ireland. For the last five years many campaigners have made the journey to show their support with the local people as they show the international oil company that they cannot have their own way. This year a critical stage is being reached and Rossport Solidarity Camp is gearing up to play its role in the continuing resistance. Read on for a history of the campaign and for information if you are planning to come across.

Links: Rossport Solidarity Camp | Indymedia Ireland | Call to Action | IMC uk Topic Page | Organise a screening of 'The Pipe'

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Resistance to Shell's Rossport pipeline. Urgent call-out for Direct Action.

30-03-2011 10:42

D-locked

URGENT CALL-OUT!
Important!
Read this legal information if you're planning to come to Rossport.

All are welcome, open to complete beginners - no experience necessary! Accommodation & food provided, donations welcome. Call or text 08511 41170 for more details.

Shell started construction work on its highly controversial Corrib on-shore gas pipeline on 29 March, with a judicial review of the pipeline still outstanding and choosing the day that local Rossport activist Maura Harrington was due in court. The work was immediately resisted by people standing in front of and sitting on top of trucks, a lock-on by the compound gates and another blockade, all of which were dealt with violently by the gardai, causing some injuries. A security vehicle belonging to security firm IRM-S became another blockade when someone locked on underneath it all night, preventing work starting the following morning. (The murky world of IRM-S is exposed in the film The Pipe).

The following week's actions included removal of whole sections of Shell's 'bogmat' roadway and an 11 hour lock-on at the compound gate, preventing any vehicles from entering or leaving. As the lock-on was removed, more people moved in, extending the blockade. A further blockade the following day saw a Shell to Sea campaigner punched in the stomach by a garda (MY259). Meanwhile, the gardai have helpfully provided incriminating evidence about their activities and attitudes on an activist's video camera which they seized and left running before returning to its owner. The recording included gardai joking about threatening to rape activists, as well as arguing about whether or not they should bother to follow safety procedures when removing activists sitting on top of vehicles.

Read full article for background, current situation and links to reports on the newswire.

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SchNEWS 734: Grassroots Struggle

05-08-2010 22:14

Yet another independent festival has been cancelled after a concerted campaign by bureaucrats, nimbys and the fun police.

The Grassroots Feastival is a small volunteer run event due to take place in Cambridgeshire in early September. Organisers had lined up three days of revelry, running from poetry to Drum 'n' Bass and culminating in a communal banquet replete with juggling waiters.

The Feastival faced determined opposition from the very start. According to one of the organisers, Mooney, when the application process began in January the council made it clear they would do all they could to stop the festival taking place. Martin Ford from the police licensing board went one step further and told organisers, “I'd rather put pins in my eyes than have this festival in my county.”

Links: www.thegrassrootsfeastival.co.uk

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SchNEWS 730: The Hole Truth

11-07-2010 13:17

As SchNews reports from the new Rossport frontline

There is still plenty of ire left in Ireland as campaigners ready themselves for another summer of action against Shell and their plans to despoil the coast of County Mayo with a new gas pipeline (see SchNEWS 719). The project is already a decade late and three times over budget; pretty impressive for a small community fighting one of the biggest multinationals in the world.

Rossport on the newswire:
Rossport Solidarity | Shelltosea Summer Gathering | Bristol Solidarity Night | Norfolk Shell gas terminal blockaded! | Shell due to start work

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Rossport - Solitare leaves Irish waters with no pipeline laid!

01-09-2008 16:51

On Friday the 20th September, the pipe laying ship, the Solitaire, finally left Irish waters. During the ship's time in Ireland, Shell failed to lay any part of the offshore pipe line. The departure of the Solitaire is a massive victory for the Shell to Sea campaign. Resistance in the past six weeks has taken many different forms: fishermen preventing the ship's access to the bay by refusing to move from her path, site invasions by local people and the Rossport Solidarity Camp, numerous waterborne actions to prevent work by supporters from other parts of Ireland and further afield, national and international solidarity actions and finally, an 11 day hunger strike by local campaigner Maura Harrington, that continued until the ship left Irish waters. The events of the last 6 weeks have inspired not only those involved, but also many who witnessed them from afar, new links and friendships have been forged and many lessons learned. In the aftermath, the Shell to Sea campaign can clearly be seen to have been revitalized, both locally and nationally. It is unclear when the ship will attempt to return to Broadhaven Bay. It is possible it could still be this year if repairs are quick and a suitable weather window appears, or it may not be until next spring. However, while it may be uncertain exactly when the ship will return, what is certain, is that it will meet even greater opposition upon its next arrival. Come and be part of it! The Rossport community is calling on people everywhere to put pressure on Shell, Allseas (the company that owns the Solitaire) and Irish embassies to demand that the Solitaire leaves Irish waters immediately.

Newswire: rossport solidarity action at irish consulate | The Solitaire leaves the Bayr | Rooftop occupation of Shells offices in Belmullet | Update from 11th of September | Daughter of Shell to Sea hunger striker paddles out to Solitaire | Rossport Solidarity Action in London | Rossport Solidarity Demo in London on Monday!! | Son of Shell to Sea hunger striker assaulted and arrested |Support Maura Harrington on hunger strike | Irish Embassy targetted for Rossport in Berlin | Rossport: Solidarity Action in Brighton | Rossport: The Time is Now | Rossport update | Urgent Call Out: Mayo Needs You! Now Is The Time

Previous features: Rossport: Another Season of Resistance | Shell to Sea campaign intensifies as work on refinery begins | Community under siege in Mayo

Video: Video interview with Maura Harrington | Locals resist Shell’s occupation of Glengad | Paddle Attack

Links: Shell to Sea | Rossport Solidarity camp | Indymedia Ireland Mayo page | Indymedia UK Rossport Solidarity page

Full article | 3 additions | 5 comments

Rossport: The Time is Now

21-08-2008 17:45

Pirates come in to reclaim beach

The week ending 31st August saw Rossport Solidarity camp reborn and the week of action against offshore pipeline work extended.

The week of action was called in anticipation of the arrival of the world’s largest pipeline ship, the Solitaire. However, due to bad weather conditions the ship’s arrival was delayed. Nonetheless, actions took place throughout the week against preparatory pipeline work, including disruption of dredging work designed to create the trench for the pipe, site invasions into Shell’s compound, and a visit by Shell to Sea kayakers to the Solitaire.

Friday the 29th of August saw better weather conditions and the arrival of the winching rig and cable and the return of the dredging machine into the bay.

The Navy also arrived (the first time the Navy has ever been used in an operation against a civil demonstration).

If the good weather holds, Shell will attempt to complete the near shore part of the pipeline in the next few days.

Believed to be booked up for the next 2 years, the Solitaire has a very short time frame to complete its part in the pipeline construction. Resistance now is crucial and the Rossport community have made a call out for people to come to the area to support the campaign. Check out feature additions and comments for regular updates.

Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

The rest of the article outlines some of the recent history of the campaign...

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Rossport: Another Season of Resistance

22-11-2007 09:09

Stopping drilling

Since 2000 the small rural community of Rossport, County Mayo, Ireland have been engaged in an epic battle trying to prevent Shell from building a potentially devastating onshore gas refinery and high pressure pipeline in their remote and environmentally sensitive region. Despite Shell’s status as one of the world’s largest multinationals and it’s enjoyment of the full support of the Irish state, the spirited and effective resistance of the local community means that four years after the refinery was intended to be fully operational, the project is still in its infancy.

For many different reasons the struggle is truly inspiring. The Shell to Sea campaign is fought on a multitude of levels, from the international political arena, to on the ground at the daily picket at the proposed refinery site. It has been an eventful seven years and this autumn has been no exception. Over the past few months direct action against the development has included national days of action attended by hundreds of people from around Ireland, community led direct action preventing preparatory pipeline work and regular blockading of trucks entering the refinery site by those attending the daily picket. Also during this period, campaigners were ordered to leave the two year old Rossport Solidarity Camp. Meanwhile the project has met renewed opposition from NGO’s, including the Irish National Trust, who recently spoke out publicly against the project and outlined their intention to challenge its legitimacy in the European courts.

And of course, where there is resistance, repression follows shortly after. The local court sessions have become increasingly dominated by Shell to Sea cases and protesters have been subject to dubious convictions and excessively harsh sentences, including one woman being sentenced to three months in prison for her part in a peaceful lock-on blockade. As winter sets in resistance continues. The rest of the article outlines the significant events of the last few months in more detail…

Recent Indymedia articles: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | IMC UK Rossport Solidarity Topic

Other links: Shell To Sea | Indymedia Irelend Mayo Features

Films: Policing The Pollution: "Don't Mention The Water." | Stopping Shell from drilling the SAC | Rossport Shell site storming | Shell gas refinery blockade at bellanaboy

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Shell to Sea campaign intensifies as work on refinery begins

26-07-2007 01:17

This summer has seen the Shell to Sea campaign gain increasing momentum as construction of the proposed onshore gas refinery in County Mayo, Ireland, begins. The planned refinery and the high pressure pipeline, which would supply it with unprocessed gas from the offshore Corrib gas field, have been bitterly opposed by local residents and their many national and international supporters, since it was first proposed in 2000. Shell and their partners Statoil and Marathon had hoped to have the facility in operation by 2003, but massive local resistance has meant that four years on, the development is still in its infancy.

Resistance was stepped up following the jailing of three local fishermen accused of assaulting Gardai (Police) during a Shell to Sea picket last year. On Wednesday 11th July, two years on from the jailing of the Rossport 5, these men became County Mayo’s latest political prisoners. The judge’s verdict was met with disbelief by all involved in the campaign and has resulted in an upsurge of community resistance.

Related links : campaign website | recent update | eviction threat | more...

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Activists Blockade Shell Petrol Station in Birmingham

27-11-2006 16:05

On 20 November, 2006, some 20 environmental and human rights activists risked arrest by blockading a Shell petrol station in central Birmingham for over 3 hours during the morning rush hour. The direct action was taken in solidarity with the community of County Mayo, Ireland, who are resisting the construction by Shell of a dangerous and experimental gas pipeline and refinery in a beautiful and remote part of Ireland [background]. The project is yet another example of how governments (in this case, the Irish state) are putting the interests of large corporations before those of local people and the environment.

See: report | pictures | video

Links: Shell to Sea Campaign | Rossport Solidarity Camp | Indymedia Mayo | Rossport Solidarity action page on Indymedia UK

XML UK Rossport Solidarity Feature Archive

Image Rising Tide blockaded Shell garage last night in memory of fellow activist
14-03-2014 17:45

Image Anti-Shell in Ireland: Week long protest report
06-07-2013 10:36

Image Cardiff Shell petrol station rooftop occupation
29-06-2013 17:04 | 1 comment

Image Sabotage Against Shell’s Pipeline in Erris, Ireland
23-06-2013 16:07 | 1 comment

Image Summer action camp against Shell
31-03-2013 21:00

Image Corrib campaigners protest as Shell announce €19.6 billion profit
05-02-2013 17:16 | 2 comments

Image Update in tunnel boring machine saga - community resistance strong
02-08-2012 12:10 | 2 comments

Text Shell humbled as protestors disrupt arrival of the Tunnel Boring Machine
31-07-2012 13:23 | 1 comment

Image RIP Shell
17-05-2012 12:52

Image Wicked Work Weekend in Co. Mayo, Ireland
11-05-2012 21:04 | 1 comment

Image Shell targeted in anti-greenwash stunt at international conference
27-03-2012 10:17

Image Roadblock stops Shell in Co. Mayo, Ireland for over 5 hours
08-03-2012 20:46

Text Anti Shell, Greenwash Flash MOB
29-02-2012 22:26

Image Special Sitting in Ireland for Rossport Campaigners
20-02-2012 00:11 | 1 comment

Image Occupy Oil
05-02-2012 14:11 | 3 comments

Text Shell's tree cutting disrupted for second day running in Mayo
12-01-2012 12:13 | 1 addition

Image #OccupyOil
07-01-2012 15:06 | 1 addition | 2 comments

Image Leeds: Rossport Talk & Film - Tuesday 10th January
07-01-2012 14:41

Image Shell's Peat Haulage Has Begun... And Been Disrupted !
25-11-2011 10:31

Text A visit to Rossport Solidarity Camp
31-08-2011 16:26

Image Rossport – if Tuesday was not mad enough try today
25-08-2011 23:20 | 1 comment

Text Day of Chaos against Shell at Aghoos Compound
23-08-2011 22:01

Image Fantastic week of blocking Shell
03-08-2011 12:00 | 1 comment

Text Mayo - Shell’s construction stopped for fifth consecutive day
28-07-2011 19:23 | 1 comment

Image Shell delayed again
27-07-2011 08:23

Image Shell blockaded on the first day
25-07-2011 07:45 | 1 addition | 3 comments

Image Come up to Rossport! Shell Starts Work on onshore pipeline
23-07-2011 13:36

Image Mayo County Council steal caravan from Rossport Solidarity Camp at 3am
23-07-2011 13:19

Text Mayo County Council illegally remove caravan from Rossport Solidarity Camp at 3a
21-07-2011 12:15

Image Occupation of Shell peat storage facility in Rossport
20-07-2011 17:13

Image Get ready for the Day of Action against Shell in Mayo
03-07-2011 12:40

Text Rossport Solidarity Camp June 2011 Update
29-06-2011 16:20 | 1 addition

Image Impromptu 2 hour tractor occupation at Shell Compound
29-06-2011 14:49

Text Lettre de Mme Maigret à Jean-Paul Sartre
16-06-2011 10:11

Text Shell compound occupied for 9 hours – third action in two days
10-06-2011 15:02

Image UK Screenings of 'The Pipe'
03-06-2011 19:57

Image Shell Belmullet office shut down again -join the continuous protests!
25-05-2011 20:49 | 3 comments

Image Rossport solidarity campers pull down Shell's fences
22-05-2011 14:00

Image Belmullet Shell offices shut down by campaigners.
17-05-2011 22:36

Text Leeds trip to the Rossport Solidarity Camp
11-05-2011 16:09

Image Shell work stopped as Gardaí continue to endanger campaigners
05-05-2011 21:56 | 2 comments

Text Shell HQ gets attacked
15-04-2011 12:45 | 2 comments

Image IRMS security works with Gardaí to block Rossport Solidarity Camp protesters
11-04-2011 22:42

Image Shell's Work Disrupted for 12 Hours in Aughoose Co. Mayo Ireland
04-04-2011 23:23

Image Shells road torn up!!
03-04-2011 10:45

Image Shell’s work suspended by Day of Action
02-04-2011 10:01

Image Shell’s haulage stopped for 4 hours
02-04-2011 09:55

Image 4 Actions against Shell in their first day of work in Rossport, Ireland
30-03-2011 13:32 | 2 comments

Image French plans to topple Gaddafi on track since last November
29-03-2011 14:43

Image Shells Work begins in Rossport!!
29-03-2011 12:08

Text Shells Work Stopped for 4 hours
22-03-2011 22:21

Image Shell's Glengad site blockaded!
21-03-2011 19:32

Text Rossport Solidarity Camp is Up!
20-03-2011 19:07

Image Work Weekend at Rossport Solidarity Camp
16-03-2011 21:18

Image Massive Security presence at proposed Shell compound in Co.Mayo
11-03-2011 11:19 | 2 comments

Image Shells Work Stopped twice in two days
09-03-2011 22:25

Text May Day! May Day! Rossport Solidarity Camp Summer Gathering Sat 30 April -Mon 2n
09-03-2011 11:00

Text Anti-Shell Non-violent direct action workshop
09-03-2011 10:58

Image Shells survey work stopped agein
02-03-2011 16:03

Image Stopping Shells Survey Work
25-02-2011 18:04

Text Anarcha feminist Weekend a Roaring Sucess!
23-02-2011 11:53 | 1 comment

Text Hollywood star slams Shell as ‘The Pipe’ wins IFTA award
20-02-2011 15:53

Image Shell action in Solidarity with Rossport
16-02-2011 17:35 | 1 comment

Text Shell's dangerous high pressure raw gas pipeline approved
30-01-2011 17:24 | 1 comment

Image london old street shell garage blockade last night
28-01-2011 15:15 | 1 comment

Text london old street shell garage blockade last night
28-01-2011 01:38

Text Edinburgh Shell garage shut in solidarity with Rossport Solidarity Camp
27-01-2011 04:01 | 4 comments

Image Shells survey worked Stopped
24-01-2011 18:17

Image We need you help to stop shell in rossport!
24-01-2011 17:43

Image Phuck The Scum State Wankers Club I'm Voting Horse Outside
23-01-2011 00:42 | 1 comment

Text International Week of Direct Action against SHELL begins!
20-01-2011 11:44

Text Shell given permission to complete Gas pipeline in Mayo
20-01-2011 11:37

Image Taking Power Back from Corrupt Corporate Banker Politicians in Ireland
27-12-2010 18:15

Text Call out for solidarity actions against Shell
22-12-2010 14:46 | 1 comment

Text Call out for Direct Action against Shell
19-12-2010 11:58

Text Call out for actions ageinst SHELL
17-12-2010 17:59

Image Action against RPS group Glasgow in Solidarity with communities in Co. Mayo and
22-10-2010 11:03

Image A week of Hell for Shell
28-08-2010 17:49 | 1 comment

Image Shell's Drilling Work Stopped by Shell to Sea Campaigners in Ireland
24-08-2010 00:12 | 1 addition | 1 comment

Text Beat The Boreholes Continues to Disrupt Shell's Plans
18-08-2010 20:35

Image Drill huggers stop Shell's drilling work
13-08-2010 18:33

Text Shell disrupted - Beat the Boreholes continues
09-08-2010 16:33

Text Shell drilling stopped for an hour and a half
06-08-2010 15:30

Image Shell drilling stopped for 5 hours – as Beat the Boreholes continues
05-08-2010 14:29

Text Waders tie down Shell testing rig in Mayo, Republic of Ireland
30-07-2010 16:39 | 1 comment

Image Beat the Boreholes continues!!
27-07-2010 12:46

Text Fri 30th July: 100 days of Gulf of Mexico oil spill
26-07-2010 14:22

Text Shell to Sea campaigner attacked at sea last night.
15-07-2010 12:19

Text Italian company ICOP applying for tunnel tender
30-06-2010 13:38

Image Call out to Stop Shell in Ireland
26-06-2010 12:42

Image Shell due to start work next week
25-06-2010 19:35

Text Shell2 sea benefit, London, sat 26th June
23-06-2010 10:21

Text Shell to Sea Benefit gig, London Sat 26 June
19-06-2010 11:43

Image London Benefit for SHELL TO SEA
10-06-2010 16:22

Video video madrid-merthyr2mayo caravan solidarity event shells prisoners Castlerae
05-06-2010 15:27

Image Dissident Island Radio tonight
04-06-2010 16:50

Image Solidarity Concert for Shell to Sea Prisoners
02-06-2010 20:37 | 1 comment

Image Galway Gaza M&S demo
31-05-2010 20:28

Text Merthyr to Mayo Bikeride Updates
27-05-2010 18:31 | 3 comments

Text International bike ride links communities in resistance [1]
23-05-2010 11:22

Image International bike ride links communities in resistance: Merthyr to Mayo cyclist
22-05-2010 08:23

Text Shell Protest Video - Party at the Pumps 2
16-05-2010 19:17 | 3 comments

Text Video of ride to the Party at the Pumps 2
16-05-2010 15:22 | 1 comment

Text party at the pumps - pics and report
15-05-2010 22:22 | 1 comment

Text Dissident Island Radio - 7 May 2010 broadcast - check it out!
14-05-2010 15:03

Image Party at the Pumps 2
12-05-2010 18:51 | 2 comments

Image Critical Mass at Party at the Pumps 2
03-05-2010 12:22 | 4 comments

Image Rossport Solidarity Camp Gathering - May/June bank holiday
15-05-2009 20:00 | 1 comment

Image rossport solidarity action at irish consulate
24-09-2008 17:21 | 2 comments

Text Solitaire leaving Irish waters....coming to a port near you?
18-09-2008 17:19 | 2 additions | 1 comment

Image Roof top occupation of Shell offices in Belmullet
18-09-2008 12:13

Image Son of Shell to Sea hunger striker assaulted and arrested at Glengad beach
13-09-2008 14:53 | 2 comments

Text SUPPORT MAURA HARRINGTON ON HUNGER STRIKE
10-09-2008 10:04 | 1 addition | 1 comment

Image The Solitaire arrives in Broadhaven Bay
09-09-2008 20:17

Image Eight arrested as Shell begin winching operation in Rossport
05-09-2008 14:55

Text Rossport Picket Account
31-08-2008 12:12

Text Shell to Sea court cases: an account
16-11-2007 21:01 | 2 comments

Text Shell to Sea stop early pipeline work (late october)
13-11-2007 19:38

Text Day of action against Shell- Bellanaboy, Ireland- 9.11.07
13-11-2007 19:31

Text Rossport Solidarity Picket in Reading
17-09-2007 13:56

XML UK Rossport Solidarity Newswire Archive