Shell to Hell

Gandhi told the Government (British) that ''matters have gone beyond legislation ... we think it is time you recognized that you are masters in someone else's home. It's time you left''.

Gandhi also said that '' the function of a civil resister is to provoke response. And we will continue to provoke until they respond. They are not in control. We are''.

In an inspiring moment at a Castlebar rally Mark Garavan reminded us that we the people “do not consent to this project”. Then he went on to say, and I think it was the first time I had ever heard publicly anyone actually saying the words “This pipeline will not happen”. That was a defining moment for the campaign when the wishes, thoughts, principles and beliefs of the people crystalised into the certainty that this campaign will succeed. (Life and death is in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21)
Owens Wiwa reminded us at the Dublin Rally that Ogoni have said ''No to Shell''.

Let's be honest, it rang a bit empty that day when we put theirs and our chants together ... ''No to Shell, Shell to Sea''.

It should be '' No to Shell, Shell to Hell''.

What was good about the 'nothing in and nothing out' picket policy at the Shell sites throughout 2005 was that it was clear and simple and very doable. I think the fuss over the recent reports has muddied the waters slightly in that the Government can use the 'confusion' to 'legislate' in favour of Shell. I think it's time to clarify things again and to reclaim the process of local democracy. Campaigners here and abroad have been discussing the possibilities of a change from 'Shell to Sea' to 'Shell to Hell'.

I think it's time to do it. And to make a fuss about it. And to announce it boldly at press conferences. And I think the Shell to Hell campaign will be surprised at the clarity if vision that creates, ('Where there is no vision, the people perish', Proverbs 29:18), and at the support it gets. I think the community of Erris can be confident enough in the integrity of itself, the national campaign and more potential supporters, to provoke and to force, non-violently, the ultimate response ... Shell out of Ireland.

Niall