Mayo SOS - 16 February Day Of Support
The embattled residents of Rossport and the surrounding areas have once again called on the Irish people to support them in their continuing battle against Shell’s proposed refinery in Ballinaboy.
The national Shell to Sea campaign is asking people to make the journey to Ballinaboy on the morning of February 16th to attend a national Day of Support.
Protests and pickets have been continuing on a daily basis at Ballinaboy throughout the winter months. In response, the government has encouraged the Gardaí in their increasingly brutal behaviour towards demonstrators.
Most notably, a number of people were injured after being assaulted by the Gardaí at an otherwise peaceful protest on January 19th. The presence of an independent monitor and a film crew in no way deterred the Gardai in question.
Anti-Shell sentiment has been growing across the country since the autumn of 2006 when Shell pushed ahead with works on the site of the proposed refinery. This anger was exacerbated by the announcement on Thursday, February 1st, of Shell’s annual profit figures, which amounted to 20 billion euro (£13 billion).
Shell’s bullyboy tactics have only been possible due to the collusion of the Dublin government. To add salt to the wound of the original oil and gas giveaway the government are now directing the Gardai to attack peaceful demonstrators.
Urging people to travel to the Rossport area on February 16, Éirígí spokesperson Daithí Mac An Mhaistír said: “Mass mobilisation to Ballinaboy is important, not only in defence of our natural resources, but also in exposing the government approved Garda tactics of brutality and violence.”
“The Gardai might be slightly more hesitant in using their fists and their boots if they are faced with hundreds of determined peaceful protestors from throughout Ireland”
Daithí continued: “The residents of Rossport and the wider Erris community need absolutely no encouragement to continue their struggle for safety in their own homes, however, their morale will undoubtedly be boosted by a strong turnout on the 16th.
“In the month that Shell announce their obscene profit figures, it is also important to expose the fact that, if they’re allowed to get away with it, future profits from the Corrib gas fields will be filling Shells coffers as opposed to going toward building Irish schools and hospitals. We have those in Leinster House who masquerade as a national government to thank for that.”
Buses from around Ireland will be travelling to Ballinaboy for the national Day of Support on February 16. Contact dublinshelltosea@gmail.com for further details.
Bígí Linn!