March 18th - Don't just march, do something!

[anarchistyouth]

On March 18th the Irish Anti-War Movement will march to mark the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and to call on our government to withdraw support for the US/UK led occupation. Thousand’s of people will march from Parnell Sq. What impact will this have? Could we be doing more?
300,000 US troops passed through Ireland en route to Iraq in 2005. Former US marine Jimmy Massey confirmed that these troops are carrying depleted uranium rounds, a hazardous substance that will scar Iraq for years to come. CIA planes which are used to transport prisoners to places of torture have used Shannon and Baldonnel airports many times. Are we to take the word of the US government, who lied about the WMD, that they have always been empty?

Politicians calling on McDowell to have our police force search planes at Shannon is little more than a stunt. They know well that the Gardai follow government orders and that the government is in alliance with the US military. Petitioning them is a waste of time.

The war in Iraq is not just an oil or imperialist war, it is a war of rich against poor - a class war. Unemployed working class American youths are forced by poverty into a military who promise an education and income they would be unable to otherwise get. It is always the poorest elements of society who must fight their leaders wars. So far over 2,500 Americans and an estimated 100,000 Iraqis have died.

In 2003 a series of direct actions took place in Shannon warport. They ranged from activists destroying a US warplane to pulling down the security fence and runway occupations. This led to 3 out of 4 US military contractors pulling out of Shannon for a short period. It is only through returning the focus to Shannon and building a strong and active movement against the state’s complicity in the war that we can win.
Marching is not enough .

What You Can Do!

- Join the Red and Black contingent on the March 18th demo!

- Organise/Re-organise a local anti-war group in your school, college or community.

- Organise talks, debates and film screenings in your area.

- Occupy/Picket your local TD’s office demanding US withdrawal from Shannon.

- Make stickers or stencils to get your message heard.

- Organise a clandestine or mass trespass/demonstration for Shannon or Baldonnel.

- Get involved with PANA (www.pana.ie) Catholic Worker (www.warontrial.com) or Grassroots Network Against War.


Saturday March 18th 2006, 2pm @ Parnell Square
Join the red and black bloc, for a creative and militant alternative!



Links: http://www.indymedia.ie/article/74382
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/74383
http://anarchistyouth.blogspot.com

[FutureTaoiseach]

I hope "something" doesn't mean a repeat of the disgraceful scenes of Feb 28th.

[badinage]

Hello,

I've been wondering recently, do "anarchists" actually believe in anarchy, or is it just a word you use? That is to say, do you actually want all laws abolished, and no provision of public services such as hospitals (i.e. survival of the fittest, best-armed, and wealthiest - which is very right wing, apart from the lack of a military)? Or do you say "anarchy" but you actually mean "socialism"?

[Worldbystorm]

Hello,

I've been wondering recently, do "anarchists" actually believe in anarchy, or is it just a word you use? That is to say, do you actually want all laws abolished, and no provision of public services such as hospitals (i.e. survival of the fittest, best-armed, and wealthiest - which is very right wing, apart from the lack of a military)? Or do you say "anarchy" but you actually mean "socialism"?

They sure ain't libertarian...

Incidentally I enjoyed the 'Organise a clandestine or mass trespass/demonstration for Shannon or Baldonnel'.

[smiffy]

Hello,

I've been wondering recently, do "anarchists" actually believe in anarchy, or is it just a word you use? That is to say, do you actually want all laws abolished, and no provision of public services such as hospitals (i.e. survival of the fittest, best-armed, and wealthiest - which is very right wing, apart from the lack of a military)? Or do you say "anarchy" but you actually mean "socialism"?

Dude, there's more to anarchism than that and it's not necessarily incompatbile with socialism (depending on the flavour, obviously).

Demanding the Impossible is a good introduction to the different kinds of anarchism.

[eurocrat]

This march should really be held a day earlier. Supporters of the casue should be encouraged to wear Green or dress up in massive heads of Bono to show their commitment to the cause.

I gaurntee you the turn out would be better.

Why do anarchists never think outside of the box?

[jmcc]

What You Can Do!

- Join the Red and Black contingent on the March 18th demo!

And look like they've just missed the St Patrick's Day parade?

- Organise/Re-organise a local anti-war group in your school, college or community.

And the fact that schools and colleges will have a holiday and the demo is on a Saturday - a traditional day of rest?

- Organise talks, debates and film screenings in your area.

How very communistic. Perhaps people would rather watch "Jarhead"?

- Occupy/Picket your local TD’s office demanding US withdrawal from Shannon.

Absolute genius - choose a day when all these dossers will be out of the country or plastered, and not in their offices and occupy them.

- Make stickers or stencils to get your message heard.

Surely that would get the message seen unless you have strange talking markers. Perhaps you've been sniffing them a bit too hard?

Regards...jmcc

[Worldbystorm]

Still, surely you'll admit anarcho-capitalism is a lot more entertaining.

I love to see the 'explanations' for land use, inherited wealth etc, etc...

[badinage]

Dude, there's more to anarchism than that and it's not necessarily incompatbile with socialism (depending on the flavour, obviously).

Demanding the Impossible is a good introduction to the different kinds of anarchism.

well its not schools of anarchist thinking I was interested in, so much as how the average 20 year old Irish anarchist actually wants society to change. Wikipedia has a long article on the various schools of anarchy, but little on what the average person describing themselves as an anarchist believes. The blogs and various websites, such as upagainstthewallmother************************************ don't seem to have much on overall policies for change, beyond vague hostility to capitalism and hatred of police forces. They therefore give the impression of a massive gulf between anarchist philosophers, and people who describe themselves as anarchists.

Maybe I'll start a thread on it

[anarchistyouth]

http://www.struggle.ws/wsm/