Shannonwatch

Earlier this week, the two Veterans for Peace activists Tarak Kauff and Ken Mayers unfurled their banner on the carriageway approaching Shannon Airport.

They did this to highlight the ongoing misuse of the airport by the US military.

US Veterans and peace activists Ken Mayers and Tarak Kauff who entered Shannon Airport on March 17^th with the intention of investigating an Omni Air International plane on contract to the U.S. military are still being denied permission by the Irish state to travel home to the US to their families. 

For information on their ongoing case see http://www.stopthesewars.org/kenandtarak/.

Meanwhile here is a powerful and heart-felt letter by peace activist Kathy Kelly. In response to the letter, Tarak wrote: "Feel free to be inspired to write your own to Irish Consulates and use some of her excellent points. I believe the majority of Irish citizens are not in favor of the US military's use of Shannon Airport. This is a time to keep the pressure on, not just for Ken and I, we're only instruments to draw attention to this issue, but if the Irish government ever has the courage to stand up to US militarism and wars - and that will only come about from public pressure - it will be a great victory for the world peace movement.

On March 27th a peace vigil was held at Limerick prison for Us Veterans for Peace Tarak Kauff and Ken Mayers. They are displaying the larger version of the banner that Ken and Tarak took into Shannon Airport on March 17th when they attempted to inspect and investigate a US military contracted plane.

Press Statement: Two US Veterans For Peace refused Bail at Ennis District Court

Monday 18 March

A group of seven US Veterans for Peace took part in a protest against US Military Base at Shannon Airport on Sunday March 17^th.

WHY? Shannon used for refueling troop planes bound for Middle East wars in which up to one million [1,000,000] children have died since 1991.

Two US veterans were arrested at Shannon Airport on 17 March for entering the airfield to inspect and investigate an OMNI Air International plane on contract to the U.S. military.  The two, Tarak Kauff and Ken Mayers, were refused bail at Ennis District Court today.

The plane, tail number N351AX, arrived at Shannon Airport about 8.30 a.m. from Eielson US air force base in Faribanks Alaska, believed to be on its way to the Middle East with up to 300 armed US troops.

Press Conference - Buswell's Hotel Dublin, 11am Friday, MArch 15th, 11am

Protest - Shannon Airport St Patrick's Day Sunday March 17th, 2pm

Why? Because up to one million [1,000,000] children have died due to US-led wars in the Middle East since 1991

Six US Veterans For Peace (VFP), including two Iraq combat veterans will be in Ireland from March 14th to the 20th. They will be speaking publicly about the proliferation of US wars and of the disrespect shown by the US military for Ireland's traditional neutrality. The two recent combat veterans will tell their experience of having been transported with their weapons via Shannon Airport, in direct violation of Irish neutrality. Members of this group have also been to the West Bank in Palestine, standing with Palestinian nonviolent resistance.

The last few months has seen ongoing refusals by government Ministers to answer about the US military use of Shannon. Three ministers, Simon Coveney (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade), Shane Ross (Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport) and Charlie Flanagan (Minister for Justice and Equality) have all shown clearly that they intend to avoid providing proper information to their fellow TDs and those of us in civil society who demand answers. Here's a sample of what we've got from them since October.