The Camera Doesn’t Lie: The Truth About Ardoyne

Since Monday night’s Orange Order incursion, the residents of Ardoyne and those who support their right to live free from sectarian harassment have come under sustained attack from the British government, the PSNI, organs of the Six County state, the corporate media and some political parties who should know better.

According to the narrative constructed by these bodies, what happened in Ardoyne was an orgy of violence ignited by irresponsible outsiders who called people onto the streets to suit their own twisted ends. The narrative is a familiar one: it is one that was used against the residents of the Ormeau and Garvaghy roads, Derry and elsewhere in the 1990s, it is a tactic that has been used against the people of Ardoyne for over a decade.

What the people purveying this propaganda in an attempt to obscure the truth from the wider population ignore are some very simple facts:

1. In the run up to this year’s sectarian march, the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective conducted a survey which found that 1,100 households objected to the Orange Order incursion on their community.
2. éirígí responded to the call from Ardoyne residents to extend solidarity to their besieged community. éirígí did not call people onto the streets.
3. The first act of violence on Monday was the PSNI attack on a peaceful sit-down protest by residents and supporters.
4. By its own admission, the PSNI fired at least 70 plastic bullets in Ardoyne on Monday, injuring a number of people.
5. The resolution to the annual conflict in Ardoyne is a simple one: Reroute the Orange Order from the area and accept the residents’ right to live from sectarian harassment and intimidation. When the Orange Order’s ‘Tour of the North’ was rerouted from Ardoyne earlier this summer, there was no violence. Likewise, the Garvaghy and Ormeau roads and other nationalist areas of the Six Counties have been largely quiet since the Orange Order was stopped from imposing itself upon them.

The Six County establishment may wish to bury its head in the sand on this issue but they should remember one thing: Monday’s dignified peaceful protest was a message from the people of Ardoyne that they will not be treated as second class citizens, they will not be intimidated and they will not be demonised.

éirígí’s activists and supporters were proud to stand, and sit, beside the people of Ardoyne on Monday and they will do so again if the call is put out.

Click here for more photos. >>

'Love Football Hate Apartheid' Protest at Europa Cup Qualifier in Tallaght

('Palestinian Solidarity in Sligo' article follows)

Tomorrow evening in the Tallaght Stadium, Shamrock Rovers kick off their Europa League campaign. Their opponents in this, the second round of qualifiers, are Israeli side Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC. 

In support of the Boycott Divestment &Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, a protest is to be held outside the stadium tomorrow evening before the game. The demonstration, which has been organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and supported by éirígí, the Palestinian Rights Institute (PRI) and the Irish Anti War Movement (IAWM), will commence at 7pm, with the game kicking off at 8pm.

Expressing his support for the protest, éirígí Sligeach activist Gerry Casey said that Israel must be boycotted completely, including in areas such as sports and culture.

Casey said: “Israel is a rogue apartheid state with a worse human rights record than apartheid era South Africa. The zionist regime must learn that there is a heavy price to pay for their war crimes, human rights abuses and continual denial of freedom and sovereignty to the people of Palestine.”

He added: "Just as with the South African regime, Israel must be must be treated like the pariah state that it is.  It must be shunned and boycotted completely.  This includes football teams such as Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv FC and other sports sides from the zionist state.”

Referring to the fact that Israeli teams rarely visit Ireland IPSC National Chairperson Freda Hughes said that “we are taking this opportunity to raise awareness of the Apartheid nature of the Israeli State and the need for a sporting boycott of teams that act as ambassadors for that rogue state. We are also calling on Shamrock Rovers fans not to travel to Israel for the return leg of the game as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people."

Ms Hughes continued: "Some people say that sport and politics should not mix, however we say that sport and racism should never mix - hence the theme of our protest, 'Love Football, Hate Apartheid'. The IPSC would point to the sporting boycott against South Africa, which was one of the most effective tools employed in ostracising that state and revealing to the world its Apartheid regime and disregard for human rights. We believe that this tactic can also be used to help force the Israeli state to comply fully with its obligations under international law and show respect for Palestinian human rights."


Ms Hughes concluded: "Palestinian teams have consistently been refused visas to travel to competitions, and aren't afforded the same training facilities and funding as Israeli teams. Restrictions on movement both within the West Bank and between the West Bank and Gaza further compound the difficulties that Palestinian footballers face. In 2006 the football stadium in Gaza was bombed by the IDF. We will use this protest to raise awareness amongst football fans of these issues and hope that Shamrock Rovers and their fans will support the boycott as an effective form of direct action in future."

The protest will commence at 7PM outside Tallaght Stadium.  Bígí Linn 

Palestinian Solidarity in Sligo

As previous reported here, the IPSC launched a nationwide petition last Friday (July 9) calling on Dunnes Stores to cease stocking Israeli goods.  This was launched as part of International Boycott Sanctions & Divestment (BDS) Weekend against Israel.

On Saturday IPSC activists and supporters braved an afternoon of torrential rain to hold an information stall, distribute leaflets and gather signatures for the petition on O'Connell Street in Sligo.  

Despite the heavy rain, hundreds of people took the time to stop, sign the petition and express support for the IPSC's boycott campaign.  

Activists will be continuing to gather signatures for the petition over the next couple of weeks before they will be handed into Dunnes Stores.  If you want copies of the petition to sign or distribute e mail info@ipsc.ie or download it here.


The IPSC are also setting up a branch in the Sligo region.  The first meeting takes place this Saturday at 7PM in McGarrigles Bar, Sligo.  All those interested in joining the IPSC and supporting the people of Palestine in their struggle for justice and freedom are more than welcome to attend.  Contact info@ipsc.ie or click here for more information.

Castlerea demo to mark Pat O'Donnell's Release

This coming Saturday (July 17) Pat 'the Chief' O'Donnell will finally be released from Castlerea Prison in County Roscommon. The Shell to Sea campaigner and Human Rights activist was jailed on February 11^th of this year after being singled out by Gardai and convicted of 'public order offences' following a cavalcade in support of Maura Harrington who was on hunger strike at the time.

Pat's determined resistance, despite everything that the state has thrown at him and his family, is an inspiration to all those opposed to Shell's planned pipeline in north Mayo and the giveaway of our natural resources. Like fellow campaigners Maura Harrington, who was recently jailed for the fifth time in connection with the protests against Shell, and Niall Harnett, who remains in Castlerea prison serving a six-month sentence, Pat has endured intimidation, arrest and assault by the Gardai and Shell's notorious security firm I-RMS (Irish Risk Management Services).

His right and ability to earn a living have been seriously affected by his principled stance and by this blatant intimidation by the state and Shells goons. He has been arrested as he went about his lawful business fishing in Broadhaven Bay. He has had his boat siezed and impounded by Gardai in order to assist Shell by preventing him from fishing in the area.

He has also had his boat hi-jacked and sank by armed and masked thugs. No attempt was made by Gardai to investigate that attack from which Pat and his crew were lucky to escape with their lives. Indeed the Garda Press Office were busy from the start trying to spin the line that no attack ever took place and that for some inexplicable reason, he decided to sink his own boat, even though it would result in Pat being unable to fish and earn his living.

Despite all of this Pat refused to surrender or be bought off and he remained a staunch and key opponent of Shell within his community. It is because of his determined activism that he was singled out for such treatment, charged and ultimately jailed despite the complete absence of any credible evidence against him.

The treatment of Pat, and indeed the entire community in north Mayo, at the hands of the state is a damning indictment of what passes for justice in this state. This is particularly so in north Mayo where Shell law, not the law of this state, rules supreme, policed and enforced on their behalf by the Gardai and the judiciary

The reality is that the interests of the state are a completely different thing from and diametrically opposed to the interests of the citizens of the state. This has never been exposed so clearly as by the reaction of all arms of the state in defence of Shell and against the community in north Mayo.

One only needs to look at the imprisonment of Pat, Niall, Maura and the Rossport five before them for standing up for the rights of their community and contrast that with the lack of justice delivered to those within the political and business elite who bled this country dry on the backs of working people.

And while Pat will have served his full sentence and Niall will almost surely do likewise, apparently that is not the case for most.  A recent article in the Mayo News (July 13) cited Castlebar based Garda Superintendent Willie Keaveney who said that criminals that are jailed quite often only spend an hour at reception in Castlerea prison before being released. 

Other instances included a person serving just three weeks of a four month sentence and another person who served five days of a four month sentence and two weeks of a seven month sentence.

And while the Irish Prison Service say that overcrowding is the problem, when it comes to finding space to hold Shell to Sea activists engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests, it appears that space does not become a problem.  

The Gardai and the judiciary have shown that they are not there to protect and uphold the rights of the citizens of this state. They are there to protect the status quo, the interests of the wealthy political and business elite. Their role is to ensure that any challenge to the status quo, even through peaceful protest is subdued and defeated by any means necessary, even if it means breaking their own laws and covering up the crimes of others such as Shell in the process. 
 

To celebrate Pat's release and to demand the release of Niall Harnett who will remain incarcerated while Pat walks free, a demonstration is being held at Castlerea prison this Saturday (July 17) at 2pm.

Urging people to attend, éirígí Sligeach activist Gerry Casey said that it is important that people show solidarity and support for the O'Donnell family after all they have gone through in recent months.

Casey said: “Pat and his family have been treated horrendously by the state on Shells behalf. Saturday's demonstration is a chance for all of us to show the O'Donnell family and the entire community on the Erris peninsula that we remain committed to their struggle, to defeating Shell and reclaiming our natural resources.”

He added: “While Pat walks free tomorrow, we must also remember that another victim of Shells regime in north Mayo, fellow campaigner Niall Harnett will remain in Castlerea prison. Like Pat, he was unjustly imprisoned and should be immediately released.”

“History will vindicate Pat and Niall and all those who stood up to Shell law in Mayo. The people that should be behind bars are not these Shell to Sea activists.  It should be those who shamefully handed over the rights to our valuable natural resources to Shell and have intimidated, assaulted and demonised those opposed to having an unsafe experimental pipeline carrying raw gas forced through the heart of their community.”

He concluded: “The economic future of this island and the safety of families living near the route of this planned pipeline must not be sacrificed in order to make obscene profits for Shell. These are our natural resources. They need to be nationalised and utilised safely for the benefit of all, not for Shell and other oil companies.”

Shell to Sea spokesperson Maura Harrington described Pat O’Donnell’s jailing as "part of an ongoing pattern in Erris."  According to Maura "members of the community who prominently oppose the project, particularly those who make formal complaints about Garda behaviour, have repeatedly been arrested or summonsed on farcical charges such as loitering or traffic offences which collapse when they come to court, only to be followed up by new charges."

Pat & Maura at Public meeting in City Hotel, Sligo

She added:  "Pat O’Donnell was selected for vexatious arrests, beatings and jailing because he is an example of a person who could not be bullied or bought. The people of Ireland need to ask themselves what the State is afraid of here."

Welcome Pat home by joining the demonstration at 2pm on Saturday (July 17) at Castlerea Prison in County Roscommon. Bígí linn.

Ardoyne Rejects Second Class Citizenship

The nationalist residents of Ard Eoghain threw down the gauntlet to the Orange Order, the PSNI and the Six County Parades Commission yesterday [Monday] when they staged a dignified peaceful protest against the annual sectarian antics which they are expected to endure.

As yesterday’s unwanted Orange march approached the Ardoyne shops, around 200 residents and supporters, including a number of éirígí activists, took to the road and staged a sit-down protest. It took dozens of riot clad, baton wielding PSNI officers nearly five hours to drag the determined peaceful protestors from the path of the sectarian march, injuring many in the process.

The PSNI only managed to hem the residents back into Ardoyne at around 9 o’clock by firing dozens of plastic bullets, baton charging protestors and turning water canon on women and children. A number of people were injured by baton rounds.

Rúnaí ginearálta éirígí Breandán Mac Cionnaith said: “The residents of Ardoyne should be commended for the disciplined, dignified manner in which they objected to yesterday’s sectarian coat-trailing session.

“The people of Ardoyne, like people everywhere, have fundamental human rights. One of these rights is to be able to live free from the threat of sectarian harassment. When this right is taken from them, as it is annually by the Orange Order and the PSNI, they have a right to resist. Yesterday’s sit-down protest was a commendable example of resistance.

“The Six County Parades Commission now needs to realise that the residents of Ardoyne will not meekly accept being walked over by triumphalist bigots, nor should they be expected to. The only just resolution to this problem is accepting the right of Ardoyne residents to a life free from sectarian intimidation and banning the Orange Order march from the area.”

Responding to the firing of over 70 plastic bullets by the PSNI, Mac Cionnaith said: “The PSNI has proven yet again that it is a sectarian militia that will use any means necessary to enforce the writ of the Orange state in nationalist communities.

“Plastic bullets are a lethal weapon – they maim and kill innocent people. Those nationalist parties who claim to oppose the use of these weapons should withdraw their support from the PSNI immediately.”

Breaking the Blockade of Gaza

More than 100 people attended a public meeting in Belfast on Thursday night [July 8] to hear first hand accounts of the recent deadly Israeli raid on the international aid flotilla bound for the besieged Gaza Strip. Donegal man Fiachra Ó Luain, who was on board the Challenger 1 ship, gave an account of the lead up to the assault and the surviving activists’ ensuing captivity and eventual deportation.

Ken O’Keefe, a former US Marine who subsequently renounced his US citizenship and who now holds joint Irish-Palestinian nationality, gave an account of his experiences on board the Marvi Marmara, the ship on which nine activists were murdered by Israeli commandos. O’Keefe, who disarmed two of the commandos who boarded the ship, also stressed the importance of pressing on with the campaign to break the blockade.

Following their accounts, a lively question and answer session was held, before a fundraising session kicked off with folk singers Barry Kerr and Pól MacAdaim.

éirígí Supports Ardoyne Residents

éirígí general secretary Breandán Mac Cionnaith has reiterated the socialist republican party’s support for the nationalist residents of Ardoyne as the north Belfast community braces itself for Monday’s Orange Order incursion.

The Orange Order and unionist hangers-on have been given permission to pass the nationalist Ardoyne shops area – the scene of many sectarian killings – on both Monday morning and afternoon. Residents have campaigned against the coat-trailing procession for many years.

Last year, the PSNI opened fire on nationalist protestors with plastic bullets, injuring several people, including a number of children.

Mac Cionnaith said: “Hundreds of heavily armed PSNI officers will descend on Ardoyne on Monday to ensure that this patently obvious sectarian coat-trailing exercise goes ahead unimpeded.

“Obviously ignoring its own decision-making criteria, it is apparent that the Six County Parades Commission opted not to consider the massive negative impact this march would have on the community in Ardoyne, nor does it appear that the Commission took into consideration, as it is obliged to do, the European Convention rights of those men, women and children who live in the area.

“The Commission also clearly ignored the fact that the large-scale PSNI operation which this outrageous decision will entail will inevitably cause additional and completely unnecessary disruption and harassment to the local community, with even further infringements upon the rights of residents.”

Mac Cionnaith continued: “It is difficult to explain the huge sense of outrage, humiliation and fear which this sectarian incursion will bring onto the streets of Ardoyne. There can be no logical decision for this march to proceed other than to reinforce the age-old message of ‘Croppy, lie down’.

“éirígí supports the residents’ right to object to this unjustified and unnecessary parade and the residents’ right to live free from sectarian harassment.”

The Bigoted Reality of the Orange Order

For nationalists throughout the six counties, the Orange Order's 12^th of July 'celebrations' are far from being an occasion to celebrate. While the corporate media and the political establishment north and south of the border have tried to play down and sanitise the image of this rabidly sectarian organisation and its activities, these Orangemen and their supporters continue to insist on forcing their triumphalist, hate-filled, sectarian parades through nationalist areas against the wishes of the local communities. 

Today (Saturday July 10) sees the Orange Order's annual twelfth parade taking place in Rossnowlagh in Co. Donegal.

Last Sunday (July 5) Portadown orangemen tried once again, and thankfully failed, to force their way down through the nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown.

Two nights earlier in Newtownbutler in County Fermanagh, loyalist bands accompanied by up to a thousands of their followers, including the DUP's Arlene Foster were astonishingly given permission by the Parades Commission to travel from around the six-counties to the nationalist village and march through it without any restrictions despite the objections of local residents.

To accomodate this unwanted parade, the village was placed under a virtual siege. Parts of the village was closed off with PSNI gunmen stopping and issuing threats to young local nationalists not to attend the residents protest that evening. (click here for more on the residents protest)

Next Monday, the residents of Ardoyne are to be forced once again by the Parades Commission to endure yet another unwanted sectarian march through their community. Last years march seen hundreds of drunken loyalists taunting and singing sectarian songs at local residents as the parade was forced though Ardoyne.

Photo coutersy of the Greater Arcoyne Residents Collective (G.A.R.C)

Hundreds of heavily armed riot police were deployed to curtail the freedom of movement of local residents and using batons, water cannons and plastic bullets to break up peaceful protests by residents against the sectarian march being forced by the PSNI through their area.  At least ten people suffered plastic bullet injuries as the PSNI unleashed a wave of violence against the lpeople of Ardoyne.

This is the reality of the so-called 'marching season' and Twelfth of July 'celebrations' for northern nationalists. It is what the people of Ardoyne and many other areas throughout the six counties can expect on Monday and throughout the rest of the 'marching season'.

The demands of the people of Ardoyne are quite simple and reasonable. According to the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (G.A.R.C) people want to be “left in peace” and to have loyalist marches “re-routed” away from this district. To this end the G.A.R.C had proposed an alternative route for the orange march to take, a route the G.A.R.C say has been endorsed by more than 1100 households in the greater Ardoyne area. 

This move has been rejected by the sham that is the Parades Commission and G.A.R.C have called for opponents of these sectarian marches to travel to Ardoyne to support local residents in a peaceful protest on Monday next (July 12).  The people of Ardoyne deserve and need all the assistance they can get as the PSNI will in all likelihood place the people of the area under siege to try to prevent protests and to enable them to force their bigoted comrades in the orange order through this community.

And while the bulk of the media and political establishment ignore this reality which northern nationalists have to live with, whether deliberately or through ignorance, for those living in or close to these areas where the Orangemen insist on forcing through their unwanted parades, this is a time of real fear and anxiety.

Much of the media have tried to portray the Twelfth as a “family day out”. Indeed an editorial in one Donegal newspaper last year (Donegal News 17/7/09) went so far as to make the ludricous claim that the Orange Order had made “strenuous efforts to ensure that the annual twelfth celebrations become an occasion to be enjoyed by both sides of the community”. But for those families who have to up, leave their home and take their loved ones as far as possible away from these parades of hate, there is nothing 'fun' and nothing to be 'enjoyed' about the twelfth.

For most families, while they may be glad to have escaped the march and whatever the loyalists and PSNI may have visited upon them and their community, they live in fear that they may return to find their home burnt out by orange mobs as has happened on so many occasions in the past. Riots, assaults, incursions by mobs into nationalist areas and the firebombing of houses and premises by drunken orange order supporters are regular occurrences every year. Last year was no different. There is nothing to make us believe this year will be any different either.

Which makes it all the more astonishing and appalling that Donegal County Council actually provided funding and took part in an official launch of the Twelfth parade in Rossnowlagh last year. By doing so they were and are complicit in the bigotry, sectarianism and accompanying violence visited on nationalist communities by orange order thugs throughout the occupied six-counties.

It is an insult to those communities who year after year have had to, and continue to endure the triumphalism, bigotry, and intimidation of the orange order and its supporters.

The orange order is not some benevolent and family orientated cultural organisation as many would try to make out. It was, and remains to this very day, a reactionary, bigoted, sectarian organisation that, just like the Klu Klux Klan, has no place in any civilised society.

Its very rationale for existence is a deep hatred and contempt for everything either catholic, nationalist or republican.  The only positive contribution that this organisation has to offer the people of Ireland would be its immediate disbandment.

Support the right of residents of Ardoyne and other nationalist areas throughout the six-counties. to live in peace and free from sectarian hatred on the twelfth of July and indeed all year round.  Oppose all sectarian marches.

Dont Fund Israeli War Crimes - Boycott Israeli Goods

This weekend (July 9-11) is International Boycott Sanctions & Divestment (BDS) Weekend against Israel. Here in Ireland, to mark the occasion, the IPSC (Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign) are launching a nationwide petition calling on Dunnes Stores to cease stocking Israeli goods in their stores.

This petition and actions surrounding it are in support and solidarity with up to 200 organisations from within Palestinian civil society who have pleaded with the international community to endorse the call for a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, similar to that which helped to end the apartheid regime in South Africa. These organisations include Palestinian trade unions, professional bodies such as all the academic unions and associations, medical unions, and most of the major NGOs.

The Palestinian people continue to endure terrible suffering and brutal repression at the hands of the Israeli regime on a daily basis. The illegal occupation of the West Bank, theft of Palestinian land and resources, the continued expansion of illegal settlements and the construction of their apartheid wall continues unabated. Despite Israel's claims that they have somehow 'eased' their illegal siege of Gaza, their unhumane blockade and clear violation of international law continues.

This deliberate policy, coupled with the devestation caused to the infrastructure of Gaza during Operation Cast Lead last year when they slaughtered more than 1400 people, more than three hundred of whom were children, has resulted in the complete collapse of the Gazan economy and extensive and unnecessary illness and deaths, particularly among the young and elderly.

Let no-one be under any illusion – the suffering endured by the civilian population in Gaza is no accident. Neither is it a case of them being 'caught in the middle' as Israel targets Hamas as some might suggest.

No, the siege itself, like Israel's policy towards the Palestinians generally, is targetted specifically at the civilian population. By Israel's own admission, the blockade has a primarily political, as opposed to military objective, which is to put pressure on the civilian population of the Gaza Strip in order to influence Hamas.
 

Former Israeli Deputy Defense Minister M.K. Matan Vilnai equated the closure of Gaza with the achievement of changes in Hamas 'behaviour': He said that Israel would need “to reduce the scope of goods and thus create pressure on the Hamas organization, which is deliberately failing to take steps to advance the negotiation."

According to a senior Israeli government adviser Dov Weisglass the idea was “to put Palestinians on a diet but not to make them die of hunger”.

It is a clear cut case of collective punishment being imposed on a civilian population completely at odds with international law.

Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Genvention is crystal clear on such matters. It says: “No protected person (civilian) may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited.”

Yet despite this, the US and the EU have welcomed Israel's 'easing' of the siege, which is nothing more than a PR stunt to divert attention away from massacre of humanitarian activists on board the Gaza aid flotilla. Once again they seem to ignore Israel's blatant contempt for International law and basic human rights for Palestinians. They need to be reminded that only a complete and total end to the blockade is acceptable under international law and to the Palestinian people.

The Palestine Center for Human Rights (PCHR) have already expressed their concerns over some international reaction to Israel's move. Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, said that “the siege has transformed the Gaza Strip into an animal farm. The risk is that Gaza is just passing to another form of illegal blockade, one that may become internationally accepted and institutionalized."

The EU and US have also conveniently and shamefully ignored the litany of war crimes carried out by Israel, most notably those carried out during their month long murderous assault on Gaza last year and the more recent massacre of humanitarian activists on the Gaza aid flotilla. 
 

Specifically where the Dublin government are concerned, they have turned a blind eye and failed to take any action against Israel.   This is despite the fact that Israel engaged in the hi-jacking and kidnapping of Irish citizens on board Challenger 1 and the MV Rachel Corrie who they subsequently assaulted and ill treated while in captivity. Yet at the time at their kidnapping, Brian Cowen warned  that Israel would face “serious consequences” if any Irish citizens were injured. True to form, but shameful nonetheless, this Fianna Fáil led administration have so far refused to take any action whatsoever against the zionist regime.

In a briefing document distributed to members of the Leinster House Joint Committee on European Affairs on June 21, the IPSC proposed the following steps that the Dublin government need to take in relation to Palestine and Israeli War Crimes

(1)End its arms trade with Israel, e.g. the purchase of helmets and bullets from Israeli firms

(2) Support the suspension of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement until Israel complies with international law

(3) Ensure that the ‘silent upgrade’ of EU-Israeli relations is halted until Israel complies with international law

(4) Work to reverse Israel's premature accession to the OECD

(5) Withdraw its ambassador from Tel Aviv as other countries have done, and expel the Israeli ambassador to Ireland. "Symbolic" actions such as the expulsion of a minor security official from the Israeli Embassy are insufficient.

(6) Oppose Israel's plan to hold an "internal" inquiry into its own actions against the Gaza Flotilla and support the holding of a genuinely impartial international inquiry.

(7) Exercise pressure on Irish multinational CRH to divest from its Israeli subsidiary that is engaged in building the Separation Wall deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2005.

However, it is not just campaign groups or politicians that can make a difference or influence the situation. This Boycott campaign is an opportunity for every individual to express their abhorrence at the crimes committed by the Israeli state and to show support for the rights of Palestinian people to secure peace, justice and freedom. But more importantly, it is an opportunity for people to take practical measures that can have a real and positive effect, similar to what happened with the boycott of apartheid-era South African goods.

Support International Boycott Weekend by signing the IPSC petition, distributing the petition if possible to friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues etc and contacting your local store to ask them to cease stocking Israeli goods.

The IPSC in Sligo will be leafletting and gathering signatures for the Boycott Israel petition this Saturday (July 10) in O'Connell Street, Sligo between 2pm an 4pm.  Everyone welcome. 

For more information on International Boycott Day, to get copies of the petition for distribution and to learn of further IPSC activities in your area click here or email info@ipsc.ie

Largo Foods try to use Recession to drive down Wages

Largo Foods employs around 180 full time and part time staff at its operation in Gaoth Dobhair Industrial estate in West Donegal. They are also the parent company of Arán Pita Éireann Teo, Bia Ghaoth Barra, Teo Gaoth Dobhair as well as Bia Ghaoth Dobhair Teo.  Amongst the brands they produce are Tayto and Hunky Dory Crisps. These and other snack foods they supply to national and international retailers, including Tesco, Safeway, Lidl and Sainsbury's.

The owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company is Ashbourne based Ray Coyle. The company's plant in Ashbourne currently employs more than 550 people. In recent weeks the workforce has been increased by 36. Another 35 jobs are to be created in September (rising to 80 during the summer high season next year) as Coyle opens his €8 million Tayto Park, a fun park and visitor centre.

 Ray Coyle

In recent months Coyle has not been shy in telling the media how successful his business has become. In recent weeks he told the Irish Times that 'business is better than last year' and boasted how his recent controversial ad campaign for Hunky Dory's had significantly increased his sales.

The firm has also recently secured a listing in 1200 stores in Shangai. As a result Largo Foods will now be exporting two containers of crisps on a weekly basis over to China, the world's largest consumer market.

Again, in recent weeks, the company received massive funding from the tax-payer through Údarás na Gaeltachta. They received €600,000 from Údarás, a figure that is likely to increase to €950,000, for the company to expand their operation in Gaoth Dobhair, develop a new snack product and supposedly create 40 jobs in the process

All in all, this is a company that is on the up, that has significantly increased its sales base and business in general, that is expanding rapidly and is quite clearly not in any economic difficulties.

Therefore when workers at the Gaobh Dobhair plant were told that they would have to take a 3.5% pay cut, they were both puzzled and angry. The workers were balloted on the proposal in the middle of last week. Despite attempts by some members of the management to bully and intimidate workers by telling them they would shut the plant if they rejected the cuts, the workers democratically rejected the unjustified proposal.

In the wake of that vote, management have stepped up their intimidation, continuing with their threat to shut down their entire operation in Donegal, a situation that has caused real concern for the workers and their families as well as the wider community who will also suffer if the plant closes down.

Following approaches by both workers at the plant and members of the public concerned at the future of the plant and the despicable behaviour of the company towards its workers, éirígí Tír Chonaill spokesperson Micheál Cholm MacGiolla Easbuig called on the CEO of Largo Foods Ray Coyle, to publicly clarify his immediate plans for the company's operations in Gaoth Dobhair. 

 

According to MacGiolla Easbuig, the behaviour of Coyle and the company towards their employees and the taxpayer who has invested heavily in this company, has been despicable. He said:

“Despite blatant and unacceptable bullying and intimidation from management, the workers democratically, and justifiably, rejected Coyles attempts to impose pay cuts on them.”

“This is just another example of employers trying to use the recession to drive down workers wages and conditions despite there being no justification for doing so. According to the CEO himself, the company is on the up, they have secured a massive new market in China and have only recently received huge investment from the tax payer."

He continued:  "This only serves to rubbish any suggestion that this pay cut was needed because of any economic concerns. Quite clearly this is a company that is not in economic difficulties and their attempts to impose pay cuts are solely about greed and increased profits at workers expense, using the recession as an excuse.” 
 

MacGiolla Easbuig concluded: “It is completely unacceptable that a company that has benefited to such an extent from state funding should now treat its workforce and the local community in such a shabby manner. We are calling on Ray Coyle to publicly clarify the position of Largo Foods in Donegal. We would also urge the workers to organise themselves to resist any further intimidation by the company and for the local community to also rally behind the workforce in order to support the workers and their families.”

The Nationalist Nightmare Continues in Newtownbutler

Nationalist residents in the county Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler have expressed anger and outrage after a unionist band parade involving up to 1,000 participants and supporters was given the go-ahead to strut through the area without any restrictions this evening [Friday].

Residents in the predominantly nationalist village had expressed their opposition to the planned march and had formally asked the Parades Commission to impose restrictions on the highly contentious event, which will see bands and their supporters bussed into Fermanagh from across the Six Counties. Residents had also announced their intention to hold a peaceful protest tomorrow evening to demonstrate local opposition to the sectarian invasion of their community.

However, in an inexplicable decision announced on June 23, the Parades Commission gave the go ahead for the unionist march, refusing to impose any conditions relating to time, place or manner on the march. At the same time, the Commission imposed severe conditions on the residents’ protest, restricting the numbers taking part to less than 100 and preventing the protest from assembling on or near the route of the march.

Kevin Martin, cathaoirleach of éirígí’s Fermanagh ciorcal, said: “Putting the impact of this march in its proper setting, during the most recent census in 2001, Newtownbutler was found to have a population of 943, of whom over 90 per cent would be viewed as from a Catholic/nationalist background.

“Friday night’s march will see up to 20 bands and hundreds of their supporters bussed into the village from around the Six Counties to virtually take over the entire area, which is comprised of just over 350 homes, for several hours. Added to that, it is likely that hundreds of heavily armed PSNI officers will also descend on the village to ensure that this patently obvious coat-trailing exercise goes ahead unimpeded.”

Martin continued: “Obviously ignoring its own decision-making criteria, it is apparent that the Parades Commission opted not to consider the massive negative impact this march would have on the Newtownbutler community, nor does it appear that the Commission took into consideration, as it obliged to do, the European Convention rights of those men, women and children who reside, work, shop or trade in the village.

“The Commission also clearly ignored the fact that the large scale PSNI operation which this outrageous decision will entail will inevitably cause additional and completely unnecessary disruption and harassment to the local community with even further infringements of the rights of local residents.”

At a well attended public meeting on Monday night [June 28], residents reaffirmed their opposition to the parade and their determination to go ahead with their own protest. Residents also announced their intention to challenge the Parades Commission’s ruling by launching a legal action aimed at securing a judicial review. The action was due to be heard in the Belfast High Court today [Thursday].

Martin added: “It is difficult to explain the huge sense of outrage, humiliation, fear and terror which this sectarian incursion will bring onto the streets and into the community of Newtownbutler. There can be no logical decision for this march to proceed other than to reinforce the age-old message of ‘Croppy, lie down’.”