*9 am Sharp - Gather at Nativity Scene/ Christmas Tree, next to Spire,
O'Connel St.
*9.15 am - process single file to Four Courts
*10 am Solidarity Vigil outside the Four Courts
This appearance was postponed from Monday
DUBLIN, IRELAND - PIT STOP PLOUGHSHARES BACK IN COURT FRIDAY DEC 19TH.
The Pit Stop Ploughshares, charged with $U.S. 2.5 million "criminal damage"
to a US Navy War Plane, and 200 euro "criminal" damage to a hangar window,
are due to appear before Judge Matthews at the Four Courts, Dublin on Friday
19 December. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment
and arise out of their nonviolent disarmament of a U.S. navy war plane at
Shannon Airport on February 4 2003.
Over 115,000 U.S. troops have passed through Shannon this year on their way
to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Ireland has become the US doormat,
as Shannon becomes the European gateway to Iraq for US forces. Deirdre
Clancy, Nuin Dunlop, Karen Fallon, Damien Moran and Ciaron O'Reilly will be
represented by legal counsel on Monday in pre-trial argument. A trial date
has yet to be set.
Ciaron O'Reilly, one of the defendants, said 'The old saying that "Truth is
the first Casualty of war" is reaffirmed by the recent statement by the
Taoiseach that he was against the war, yet he still offered Shannon Airport
to the U.S. war machine. The prophesy of Isaiah to 'beat swords into
ploughshares' speaks clearly about peacemaking. We are brought before the
courts for enfleshing this nonviolent vision.
This is a season celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace, but remains a
time where the modern Ceasers and Herods stalk the world slaying the
innocent. Mr Ahern should reflect seriously on what role he is playing when
it comes to leaving the children of Iraq with a legacy of terror, deplted
uranium poisoning and a land littered with cluster bombs and destroyed
civilian infrastructure. Shannon Airport must be demilitarised immediately
for Ireland to send a message of peace and good will to all peoples."
Friday 9 am Sharp
Supporters are asked to accompany the Pit Stop Ploughsares to court. Please
wear black in memory of the war dead. Please gather at the Christmas Tree
and nativity scene in O'Connel Street Dublin (near The Spire). Please bring
cardboard cartons in Christmas wrapping bearing "The gifts Shannon and the
US military have delivered to the children of Iraq: depleted uranium
radiation, cluster bombs, cruise missile, civilian dead, bombed hospitals,
cholera, typhoid, etc. These will be left at the tree. *Monday 10 am Vigil
outside the Four Courts, Dublin.
International supporters asked to vigil at Irish embassies and consuls
against the use of Shannon by the U.S. military, or phone consulates and
embassies with messages of resistance. Further information at:
www.ploughsharesireland.org Mobile/cell +353 (0)87 918 4552
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