3 Weeks from Trial -
A Call for Solidarity with the Pit Stop Ploughshares
Ploughshares c/o 134 Phibsborough Rd, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, IRELAND
The War is the Crime!
PIT STOP PLOUGHSHARES On TRIAL
(Deirdre Clancy, Nuin Dunlop, Karen Fallon, Damien
Moran, Ciaron O'Reilly)
Dublin Four Courts, July 5th. 2006
Dear Friends,
It has been a long journey to trial for the "Pit Stop Ploughshares" community, since our February 3rd, 2003, non-violent disarmament of a U.S. Navy War Plane at Shannon Airport, Co. Clare, Ireland.
It has been a long 3 years for our ploughshares community, but a much longer three years for the people of Iraq suffering an invasion, occupation and plunder of their homeland.
The Irish State's attempt to criminalise our non-violent act of peacemaking complements their militarisation of the civilian Shannon Airport to
service the U.S. war machine. We are not alone, as other peace activists, and also resisters within the British and U.S. military are being dragged before courts & court martials, imprisoned in jails & stockades for their non-violent resistance to this war. In war, authentic peacemaking is criminalized, as killing, theft, torture, incineration, internment, rape and sexual abuse are legitimised as policy.
TRUTH THE FIRST CASUALTY OF WAR
Over the past three years the lies that were employed to market this "illegal war" have been exposed;
-A WAR AGAINST WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: No WMD has been found during the three years of
U.S./U.K. military occupation of Iraq.
-A WAR AGAINST TERRORISM: U.S. destruction of Iraqi civil society through its 1980's support for Saddam Hussein, 1990's imposition
of a genocidal sanctions regime and now a brutal bombardment and military occupation has transformed Iraq into a swamp of vengeance and a breeding ground for terrorism.
- A WAR TO BRING SUPERIOR WESTERN VALUES TO THE
MIDDLE EAST: U.S. colonial rule by decree from Saddam's former palace, trans-national privatisation of Iraqi resources, and evidence of crimes Abu Ghraib & Fallujah puts lie to this mirage.
Over the past three years, 100,000 Iraqis mostly women and children have been slain. Over the last two years, over 2,500 U.S. soldiers, many who passed through Shannon Airport, have returned in body bags. Uncounted thousands of Iraqis, Americans, Britons and
others have lost limbs, sanity, loved ones and homes.
As the late Peter Ustinov reflected, "War is the terrorism of the rich; Terrorism is the war of the poor"
Over the past three years, following our remand time in Limerick Prison, the State has tried to keep the Pit Stop Ploughshares in a state of suspended animation on bail. We have tried to remain faithful to the non-violent disarmament we undertook and vigilant to continued Irish complicity in this war. We believe if the Irish state granted us a fair trial,we would be acquitted of all charges. We hope they will grant us one on their third attempt.
We have refused to see our jail time, bail time, 2 trials thus far and the threat of future punishment as a personal predicament to evade or disown. We have seen thesephases of our non-violent disarmament witness as opportunities to speak truth to power and to expresssolidarity with the people of Iraq & the young Americans being shuttled through Shannon to Iraq, to kill and die for the rich and powerful.
We are on a journey inspired by the ancient prophecy of Micah and Isaiah to "beat swords into ploughshares and study war no more". We invite you to join us on this journey.
We see our act of "beating swords into ploughshares" at Shannon Airport as a non-violent gift of faith enfleshed, hope enacted and freedom offered at a time when the war machine is deployed at full throttle to invade, occupy and plunder. In turn, we have been sustained over the past two years by the gifts of solidarity from old friends and new. Gifts of hospitality, friendship, transport, musical talent, legal expertise have accompanied us through the roller coaster ride of the courts. A judicial process designed to isolate, intimidate, and defeat the war resister. The only sustenance we have is our faith and your solidarity.
We hope to join with you to take this witness of non-violent resistance to the ongoing war to Dublin, Four Courts from July 5th., 2006.
We hope our trial, beginning on July 5th., will be a time of celebration and a catylyst for non-violent opposition to the war. We hope friends from around Ireland, and from overseas, will gather in Dublin to celebrate non-violent disarmament as an authentic option for the human family.
We hope the trial will non-violently confront the U.S., British and Irish institutions that continue to wage war on the people of Iraq. We hope other acts of nonviolent resistance and solidarity will grow out of the trial and our time together - whether we are acquitted or imprisoned.
WE ARE IN URGENT NEED OF FUNDS TO BRING RELEVANT WITNESSES TO COURT TO TESTIFY TO THE NATURE OF THE HIGH CRIMES INFLICTED IN IRAQ AND TO FACILITATE OUTREACH IN THE LEAD UP AND THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL.
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO:
"Ploughshares Defence Fund"
134 Phibsborough Rd.
Dublin 7
IRELAND
More information
www.peaceontrial.com
ploughsharesireland@yahoo.ie
SOLIDARITY VIGILS ON JULY 5TH.
We ask you to consider an anti-war solidarity vigil with the Pit Stop Ploughshares on July 5th - the first day of their trial. Preferably at Irish Embassy, Consul or theme bar, but also at sites of significance in relation to this ongoing war. If you decide on a time & place for your vigil, email us details on ploughsharesireland@yahoo.ie
Related Link: http://www.peaceontrial.com