Shannon airport is famous for sheltering and welcoming US army planes to stop over and fill their tanks since 1991 the first Iraq war.
The peace marchers assembled from 12 noon and walked from Shannon Town to Shannon Airport where they gathered at the small roundabout to spread their peace and world march banners. The group created a colorful “Rainbow Peace Island” on the roundabout in the middle of the road leading up to the airport.
At the gathering, worldwide efforts towards peace and non-violence were celebrated in words and songs. Irish World MarchCoordinator of the World March in Ireland Krisztina Dragoman reflected on the meaning and value of the World March for Peace and Non-Violence.
John Lannon spoke on behalf of the Shannonwatch and said:
“As local peace and human rights activists from Shannonwatch we were delighted to join with the World March for Peace and Non-Violence at Shannon. A crisis of morality exists in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and so many other parts of the world where war is manipulated by external forces and ruthless self interest. Sadly this crisis of morality extends to Shannon Airport as it continues to facilitate and support these wars. The Irish police and airport authorities provide protection to warplanes, war supplies, torturers, and perhaps even lethal weapons as they pass through the airport. Therefore it was appropriate that the banners of peace were raised and songs sung at Shannon to provide living proof that the business of war cannot ever become acceptable there, or indeed anywhere. The victims of war and violence are so often unable to claim their dignity and rights, but by this small act we can help build the global awareness that will lead towards justice and peace.”
Mairtin MacMaolain supporter of the World March and promoter of nonviolence through religion from Dublin also spoke from the Christian nonviolence point of view.
After that the group of 14 walked up to the metal barriers and Irish police force Garda Síochána preventing them to walk further towards the airport. The representatives of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence and Shannonwatch reached across the metal barriers and shook hands with members the policemen. The peace marchers sung peace songs like “Imagine” and “We shall overcome”.
Dr Edward Horgan retired UN military peace keeper, peace and human rights activist and member of Shannonwatch organization read up to the policemen the “Garda oath” that the all Gardai take when they are appointed:
“I hereby solemnly and sincerely declare before God that
-I will faithfully discharge the duties of a member of the Garda Síochána with fairness, integrity, regard for human rights, diligence and impartiality, upholding the Constitution and the laws and according equal respect to all people,
-while I continue to be a member, I will to the best of my skill and knowledge discharge all my duties according to law, and
-I do not belong to, and will not while I remain a member form, belong to or subscribe to, any political party or secret society whatsoever.”
He also reminded them that they have been failing to comply with this oath at Shannon airport because of their refusal to investigate and prosecute those US troops and CIA officials who pass through Shannon airport and who have been guilty of crimes against humanity including torture. He recited the UN Convention against Torture, and the Irish Criminal Justice Act 2000 that brings this convention into Irish law.
Krisztina Dragoman spoke on behalf of the World March for Peace in Ireland and emphasized that: “Besides demanding US military force to leave Shannon airport and disarmament in Ireland and worldwide the World March for Peace is also about person to person nonviolence, building bridges between people and seeing the human in the others.”
Some of the policemen were visibly moved by the speeches and songs and the honest active nonviolence. This was a significant and important moment in the reflection of a decade of tireless peace protest by Shannonwatch and other Irish antiwar organizations against the US military presence in Shannon.
The peace march on Shannon Airport was finished with the symbolic planting of a “Peace Tree” on the green area near the roundabout and the personal endorsement of the World March by Dr Edward Horgan peace activist and John Lannon spokesperson of Shannonwatch.
Photo gallery:
[http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=worldmarchie&target=ALBUM&id=5402311321001578353&authkey=Gv1sRgCPX_5vverq6HzQE&feat=email](http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=worldmarchie&target=ALBUM&id=5402311321001578353&authkey=Gv1sRgCPX_5vverq6HzQE&feat=email “http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=worldmarchie&target=ALBUM&id=5402311321001578353&authkey=Gv1sRgCPX_5vverq6HzQE&feat=email”)
