Workers Solidarity Movement

Protests are to take place in Dublin, Sligo, Galway, Belfast, Derry,  Monaghan & Cork today against the act of international piracy by the Israeli military last night when they attacked a flotilla bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza . The Globe & Mail is reporting that 19 people have been killed in an attack staged last night. The flotilla of six ships called the “freedom flotilla” includes one from the Ireland called the Rachel Corrie, named after the American activist murdered by the IDF in 2003. At least 8 Irish people are on board various ships in the flotilla.

The over one million people living in the Gaza Strip have been living under an Israeli military blockade at sea and on land since Israel brutally attacked the Gaza Strip in 2007. The attack on the flotilla occurred when commandos boarded the flotilla from helicopters over head and zodiac boats. Israel’s claims that the flotilla was armed were rubbished by Fianna Fail Senator Mark Daly who personally witnessed the preparations before the flotilla left Cyprus. Daly along with Aengus O Snodaigh from Sinn Fein and Chris Andrews from Fianna Fail were both due to participate in the flotilla but were prevented by Israeli diplomatic pressure on the Cypriot government.

At least three of the people from Ireland are on the Rachel Corrie which is carrying 10,000 tonnes of much needed aid for people living in the Gaza strip. The three include Fintan Lane who wrote an article on the emergence of anarchism in Ireland for the WSM magazine Red & Black Revolution. Caoimhe Butterly who took part in the early Grassroots Gatherings appears in the video from Gaza TV News that she pre-recorded for release in the event of the flotilla coming under attack. In it she asks people to mobilise to turn the outrage people feel into effective action.

Dublin - The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has called a march on the Israeli embassy this evening gathering at the Spire on O'Connell street at 6pm. In Cork Corcaigh Palaistín have called a protest for Daunt square at 1pm today. Galway protest at  6pm @ the Liam Mellows Statue, Eyre Square. Sligo - Protest vigil for Palestine & murdered freedom flotilla passengers at GPO in Sligo 6pm today (IPSC) Contact Gerry Casey @ 087 9301 625 for more info. Belfast - 4pm on Monday 31st May at the CITY HALL BELFAST, Derry - GUILDHALL SQUARE 5 PM,

Monaghan Town - Courthouse,  today, Monday, @5pm

Live footage from on board ship as attack progressed

Al Jazeera footage of commandos on ship

Sky News footage of commandos attacking ship