I was at the Shannon demo, and as at other demos there, found that the energy got quite dispersed once we all arrived at the departure lounge.
Having been to Palestine, I now know that only 6 hours away by plane, the Palestinian people are suffering horrifically, and that we in Ireland are not taking a loud, resolute and determined stand against Israel's violent illegal occupation of Palestine.
Also that Iraq is due for imminent attack. Sharon is urging Bush to attack now and not wait. A US plane taking off from Shannon after refuelling would arrive there ready to attack in a few short hours. Yet here we are in safe Ireland with tourists hurrying in to the Airport to catch their holiday flights. It all seems surreal.
We were told that a Hercules C130 had landed and refuelled just about the time we were all meeting up, when the Garda would not let us march down the road. It was gone by the time we pushed past them and got to the Airport.
This type of warplane carries "Daisy Cutter" bombs, which are the next most lethal after nuclear bombs.
They can immediately "clear" a space 600 meters wide and annihilate anything living within the immediate area!
While we were making speeches outside the Departure lounge, I noticed myself go into a really blank space. There were so many Garda and Special Branch there to make sure we did not charge into the Airport. I tried talking to some of them, and was amazed that none of them seem to believe us that US warplanes and troops land almost every day to refuel.
They looked at me blankly, or laughed, when I talked about this and asked them why they did not speak out or do anything to stop these bombers landing, breaching our Neutrality.
At one stage I tried to enter into the building with my friend Annie, but our way was barred. We kept trying to engage them in dialogue about the warplanes. We were referred to speak to the Director of Operations; at Shannon, who said he was totally ignorant of any US planes coming in to refuel! I felt like I was going mad, and we took a brake from the demo and had a cup of tea in the hotel opposite.
I knew that I had become spaced off from the war and the suffering going on and lulled into unreality. The Garda kept saying things like, "You've done your protest now, why don't you go home, and anyway we want to go home for our tea!" I said "What about the people who can't go home or are under curfew. or have no home because its been bombed?" They would not speak or answer. I did not want to go away, and felt really unsatisfied. I decided I had to push it much further.
We went for a walk along the perimeter fence and at the control Tower area with Annie's help I was able to scale it and get through the barbed wire, and over and then onto the Runway. I had a placard saying, "NO US BOMBERS" and a Palestinian flag with me. A patrol car immediately screeched towards me, and a Garda jumped out. I gave him a good run. I refused to go with him when he caught me, and he had to forcibly drag me to the patrol car. He pulled my hair and twisted my arm up my back.
I told him to calm down. He was really freaked out and I thought he was going to get a heart attack, as he was so unfit. Next, he took me into the place where the baggage comes thru' and there were loads of passengers there. I yelled out several times that there were US bombers landing illegally at the Airport. People looked surprised when they saw me being yanked off into a room.
The head of the Airport security gave me the works, i.e., that I had committed a very serious crime, was being charged with endangering the lives of people and planes and refusing to give my name, all untrue!!
I kept talking to them, asking how come they did not know about the planes, and why did they not protest and that we would be colluding with the bombing of Iraq as we did over Afghanistan. They were very rude. I just kept myself in good spirits by annoying them.
Next, I was taken to Shannon Garda station to be charged. Again I was greeted with "Oh No! Not You again" by an obnoxious desk-Sargeant. I was really insulted by their ignorant attitudes and told them so.
I had to give my name and DOB. They checked to see if I had been arrested before which I was. There were 3 of them there. Without any apparent reason, their attitude completely changed, and they started treating me humanely. I had been near to tears at one point when telling them of the Foreign Affairs attitude about Palestine.
The obnoxious guy suddenly said "Look, the Government has been taking it up the arse! for years from the US and they are not going to stand up to them, and ye don't know the f---ing HALF of what goes through here at nightime!!"
Here he was telling me that they knew all about it and more! but that they feel it's impossible to do anything about it and are sickened by it themselves but don't know how to do anything, and have not got the will!!
The main guy told me that one night at 4am he went out and found Clinton's special jet on the runway, with 2 fighter jets accompanying it, bearing Chelsea, his daughter on a visit to her pen pal in Switzerland. This disgusted him. He also mentioned that there was some jet in that they were not allowed near recently. He repeated that we don't know the half of it.
They said the only way that might work was if we got over 1,000 people to protest at Shannon, and do an everyday protest outside the Dail as well.
They had seen me on TV, asked me a lot about Palestine, and said the Palestinian people were a lovely people, as they met many of them in the Station who were turned down from getting visas to enter the US.
They were so nice to me, and of course did not want to charge me, as it would get too much publicity, and released me soon afterwards.
They gave me the address of GRA their Union. The contact is,
Michael Kirby, Floor 5, Phibsboro Tower, Dublin 7, 01 8303533.
They said that we had a few very good committed people, but that we had some hangers on that did not do us any good! Also that they had listened carefully to all our statements and were impressed! The main guy gave me his name and address and said he would like some information about what goes through there.
So for the record The Gardai wants us to protest.
They reckon that with huge numbers, we could win.
I suggest that the sooner people are mobilised the better, and if 100 people got arrested that would make the news!
Also, to go early AM or at night, go over the fence and do an action on the runway would be best.
They do NOT want to charge anyone. They are actually very friendly.
They are only little bogey men, and after having to deal with the IDF, I was not intimidated in any way by them. THEY ARE ON OUR SIDE!!! LETS USE THIS NOW!
I am very busy with work about Palestine and will be returning there very soon, but I urge everybody to act now. Victory on this issue could be instant.
Best of luck, In solidarity, Mary Kelly