Anti-War Protest. Set for Shannon.

By Mairead Carey

PASSENGERS hoping to travel through Shannon this weekend face massive disruption as a result of a major anti-war demonstration planned for the airport. 

Traffic is expected to be brought to a standstill on Saturday as members of the Irish Anti-War Movement (IAWM) carry out a five hour sit-down protest at the terminal. 

All but pedestrian access is expected to be blocked. The protest is against the continued use of the airport by planes carrying U.S. troops. 

The IAWM has been organizing the rally for a number of weeks, and is expecting a large crowd of protestors to attend the “non-violent protest.”

Protest organizer Richard Boyd Barrett has warned passengers planning to fly out on Saturday afternoon that they should arrive early to ensure they can gain access to the airport. 

“It gives us no pleasure to inconvenience ordinary air travelers and workers. But the government has ensured there is no such thing as ‘business as usual’ at the airport by allowing it to be used as a military base, in support of brutal wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said. 

He claims that tens of thousands of U.S. troops have passed through Shannon since President George W. Bush said the Iraq war was over at the beginning of May. 

“Hundreds of the American soldiers who have stopped off at Shannon have gone on to give their lives or limbs in the cause of making Iraq safe for the oil men who run the Bush administration, and for their other corporate cronies,” he added. 

A spokesperson for Aer Rianta, the airport authority, said they will liaise with Gardai to minimize disruption.