Press Releases & Updates 2005

More specifically, the demonstrators from Ploughshares were demanding that the Irish government drop charges being held against the ’Pitstop Ploughshares’ for disarmament of US Navy Plane, refueling at Shannon Airport, which was headed to Iraq.

A spokesperson for the group, Joss Garman, said, "This morning the protestors spoke with the ambassador and called for an end to Irish complicity in this illegal and bloody war."

He added, "The Pitstop Ploughshares tried to prevent genocide, and uphold international law. Whilst they face prison, the real criminals like Bertie Ahern, remain at large."

Press Briefing, 9.30am

Anti War Activists Occupy Irish Embassy in London

Six British anti-war activists today occupied the Irish Embassy in London. They are protesting criminal charges against peace activists who will next week face a possible ten year prison sentence for physically disarming a US Navy Plane at Shannon Airport. Within a month of their action three of the four companies contracted to ferry US troops and weapons had left Ireland.

Just after the embassy opened for business, the protestors peacefully chained themselves together inside of the building in Grosvenor Place, whilst others have hung a banner reading, “PITSTOP PLOUGHSHARES: NOT GUILTY” outside.

Joss Garman, speaking for the demonstrators, explained, “The Pitstop Ploughshares ­ who damaged the plane at Shannon airport - acted to uphold International Law, and to prevent Irish complicity in genocide. Far from breaking the law, they were upholding it, because the war in Iraq was clearly illegal. It clearly isn’t right that peace campaigners should face years in prison, whilst Bertie Ahern remains at large.”

He added, “We wanted to add our voices to those of Desmond Tutu and Martin Sheen, in proclaiming, “Prevention of a war crime is not a crime.” In many ways, the runway at Shannon airport could be compared to the railroad to Auschwitz, after all, 100,000 people are dead.”

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