Press Release: Shannon Peace Camp under threat.

Monday 6th January 2003

New Peace Camp under threat from Aer Rianta.

Just two days after peace activists established a peace camp at Shannon Airport it's existence is already under threat from Aer Rianta. Gardai, acting on the instructions of the state company, have demanded that the caravan on which the camp is based be removed immediately. Aer Rianta spokesperson, Niall Maloney informed Mary Kelly - a peace activist who risked her life to save Palestinians at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem - that the land is owned by the company and that they do not want the camp there.

One of the peace activists commented "Aer Rianta has no shortage of space inside the airport for US aircraft on their way to a new war but seemingly can't spare a few metres outside for a few people. If the forceful removal of the Shannon Peace Camp is carried out, or if the peaceful protesters are continually harassed by state authorities, then the principles of freedom of expression and peaceful protests will have been seriously violated."

A number of female peace activists established the camp last Saturday night and spent their first night literally freezing for peace. The activists vary from teenage students to more seasoned peace campaigners such as Mary Kelly, and Margarita Darcy who was one of the original Greenham Common Peace Women protesting against the deployment of Pershing nuclear missiles in Europe.

The Peace Camp was established to highlight the abuse of Irish neutrality due to the use of Irish airspace and Shannon Airport to facilitate the US war against Iraq. It is urgently seeking volunteers to provide a 24hr presence at Shannon Airport. Their objective is to shine a light on the darkness to which our government is committing each of us without our permission.

Peace not war is the road to survival.

Help the Shannon Peace Camp now. Let your voice be heard over the dogs of war. Come to Shannon to promote peace.

Contact info:

Mary Kelly, Tim Hourigan
061 317721, 086-3784780, 087-37437271, 085-7290674
shannonpeacecamp@hotmail.com