This article is from page 7 of the 2009-06-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
JUST 12 people turned up at a dem- onstration by Amnesty International in Shannon on Saturday to highlight Ireland’s role in rendition, but the or- ganisers say they are not downheart- ed by the low numbers.
Anti-war campaigners say they will continue to highlight the use of Shannon Airport by CIA planes and say there is a “virtual open door” to the planes there.
The demonstration took place a day after Amnesty published its re- port which claimed that Shannon Airport has been made available for OI FAS oe) Eilexmoe: hols oe man item UNO None Ie legally around the world.
Organiser John Lannon, of Amnes- ty in Limerick, said the low numbers will not work against them organis- ing future demonstrations.
“We weren’t expecting a huge crowd, given that there were so many events around the area. While it is disappointing that we don’t have more people, we still made the point,” he said.
He expressed concern that the group was stopped at the gantry and was not permitted to walk to the air- port. “The reason for the protest in Shannon was that planes carrying prisoners pass through Shannon but we were not allowed to go there,” said Mr Lannon.
Organisers say that they will con- tinue to hold vigils at the airport every month, to highlight their con-
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“We are going to continue with our vigils on the second Sunday of every month until the recommendations contained in the Amnesty report have been addressed,” he said.
The protests have been ongoing in Shannon since 2003. Mr Lan- non said he feels that much is being achieved. “I think we are. All of the organisations that are involved are putting pressure on the Government. Several people came up to us to offer support on Saturday. To us it 1s very important to ensure people are made
aware about what is going through Shannon,” said Mr Lannon.
‘Despite the welcome statements by Taoiseach Brian Cowen on Ireland’s willingness to accept a small number of detainees from Guantanamo here in Ireland, the Irish Government has made no move towards accountabil- ity for our complicity in disappear- ances and torture,’ he added.