Cultural Destruction

How the issue of a discussion at WAC 6 on Tara and the M3 arose and an update on the situation.

The issue of a debate on Tara and the M3 at the World Archaeological Congress, which takes place next week in Dublin, arose after Tara campaigners requested that I investigate whether such a discussion could be facilitated at one of the sessions dealing with ethics. I wrote to WAC asking for a session on campaigns against cultural destruction as a counterbalance to the programme as it was, which included several pro-developer, pro-private sector archaeology themes as well as the shocking presence at the congress of the US military.

Related Links: World Archaeological Congress Tara stories on indy

The Department of Education withdraws funding from Integrate Ireland Language and Training.

In in protest 500* staff and students at the Integrate Ireland Language and Training Centre (IILT) in Dublin marched from Liberty Hall to the Department of Education offices in Marlboro Street at 1.00 pm on Friday, June 20, 2008. It was also World Refugee Day and the proposed closure truly demonstrates Government policy towards integration, education and workers rights.

Related Links: Siptu

(Not) Wanted : Bush

Since George W came to Belfast last time (03) over one million Iraqis, mostly women and children (Lancet Report) have been slain. Most of the U.S. troops doing the slaying have passed through Shannon Airport, Ireland, to get to their victims.. 4,000 of their number have returned in body bags, 20,000 with serious injuries (amputations, loss of sanity etc) they will never recover from and another 20,000 evacuated with injuries they should recover from. Thousands of veterans have suicided on return..

Related Links: Whats going on in Shannon IAWM mobilisation Bush Not Welcome mobilisation

Protest to save St. Lukes hospital,
a leading cancer care hospital in Dublin

The government is pursuing a policy of centralising health services into a small number of regional centres. The policy has been advanced under the title of "Centres of Excellence". But there is no evidence for the 'robotic centralisation' of acute hospital services, including cancer. But if you want to cut the the public health system––to make room for private ‘providers’––‘centralisation’ is a lethally effective way of doing it. And funneling all patients into a small number of large units facilitates the collection of specimens ...

Related Links: Previous indy.ie coverage

From Genoa to the Gathering

The events of Genoa 2001 are still going through the courts, as the Genova Legal Forum puts the state on trial for human rights crimes during the Diaz raid and at Bolzaneto detention centre. Verdicts are in soon. Activist Trauma Support, on tour with films, information, and a donations bucket for the court case, will stop off in Dublin on Friday May 30th to open this year's Grassroots Gathering. We caught up with ATS's Mark Covell before he caught his ferry over.

Related Links: Genoa G8 on Indy.ie Activist Trauma Support Grassroots Gathering Details GG Homepage GG 2008 Reader