Neutrality Or NATO – an online book launch & conversation

Afri

The online launch of A Force for Good? Reflections on Neutrality and the Future of Irish Defence took place on Tuesday, June 20th 2023. The book is  a collection of essays by people with long and deep experience of working for peace and against militarism on this island and in the wider world.

Contributors include Nobel Peace Prizewinner Máiréad Maguire; Thomas Pringle TD; UCC Emeritus Professor John Maguire; Dr Karen Devine of DCU; Carol Fox of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance; and Tarak Kauff, former paratrooper with the US Army and now active member of Veterans for Peace.

The book is available from Afri for €10, including postage.

 

 

Peace Cannot be Discussed

Afri

I have just returned from Vienna where I attended a very important event entitled ‘International summit for Peace in Ukraine’, which was organised by the International Peace Bureau and a range of other Peace groups such as the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Sean MacBride was a former President of the International Peace Bureau and I myself was a Board member for a three-year period. Continue reading “Peace Cannot be Discussed” →

Neutrality or NATO? Online book Launch and Conversation

Afri

Join us for the launch of A Force for Good? Reflections on Neutrality and the Future of Irish Defence taking place online on Tuesday, June 20th, at 11am. Register here

The first meeting of the Government’s ‘Consultative Forum on International Security’ will take place in UCC on June 22nd, and Afri is warning that there’s a real risk of Ireland further compromising our neutrality and getting dragged into NATO without the consent of the Irish people. Continue reading “Neutrality or NATO? Online book Launch and Conversation” →

CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY IS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC

Afri

STATEMENT FROM PRO-NEUTRALITY GROUPS:
AFRI (ACTION FROM IRELAND) • CORK NEUTRALITY LEAGUE • FOYLE ETHICAL INVESTMENT CAMPAIGN GALWAY ALLIANCE AGAINST WAR • INNATE (IRISH NETWORK FOR NON-VIOLENT ACTION TRAINING) IRISH ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT • IRISH NEUTRALITY LEAGUE • PEACE & NEUTRALITY ALLIANCE SHANNONWATCH • SWORDS TO PLOUGHSHARES • WORLD BEYOND WAR, IRELAND Continue reading “CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY POLICY IS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC” →

Taoiseach Sups with NATO Ignoring the Will of the Irish People

Afri

Afri deplores Micheál Martin’s eagerness to sup with NATO, a nuclear alliance, at the recent summit in Madrid. An Taoiseach insists that it is necessary to join in such ‘conversations’ with the high and mighty, while dithering about the right moment to engage with the Irish people at last on defence policy.

This is merely the latest stage in a process of furtive acquiescence in NATO-inspired EU militarisation. Continue reading “Taoiseach Sups with NATO Ignoring the Will of the Irish People” →

Reclaiming the Vision of 1916

Afri
Afri's banner visible during the 'Reclaim the Vision of 1916' march and rally. Photo by Derek Speirs
Afri’s banner visible during the ‘Reclaim the Vision of 1916’ march and rally. Photo by Derek Speirs

Afri was invited to take part in the Reclaim the Vision of 1916 event in Dublin on the 24th April 2016, behind the banner, “The Right of the People of Ireland to the Ownership of Ireland” which focused on the ideals behind the 1916 Rising, as distinct from the military dimension which is so heavily emphasised in so many of the state commemorations.  Afri staff carried a banner with the message “Afri rising to the challenge of tackling climate change, abolishing war and restoring Irish neutrality”

Shamrock, Shame and Shannon: Reclaiming Ireland’s Pride

Afri

Shamrock1

Shamrock, Shame and Shannon: Reclaiming Ireland’s Pride – A protest at Shannon Airport at 12 noon to 1pm on Sunday, March 15th.

To mark the 12th Anniversary of the 2nd US-led war on Iraq and the Taoiseach’s annual cap-doffing, forelock-tugging exercise before the Commander-in-Chief of continuing wars in Afghanistan and around the world, wars in which Shannon plays a crucial role.

Preceded by a ‘cycle of nonviolence’ from Dirty Nellies at Bunratty Castle to Shannon Airport, starting at 11.00 am.

Organised by Afri and supported by PANA