ARRESTED FOR CARRYING A PALESTINIAN FLAG IN SHANNON AIRPORT
On December 5th 2024, Sinead Jackson and Waleed Maza decided to stage a peaceful protest against the horrors being committed on the people of Gaza.
They entered Shannon airport to unfurl a Palestinian banner and stage a 24-hour hunger strike campaign called, 'Gaza Hunger For Justice' by Nenagh Friends of Palestine.
The airport has become a major hub for the US Army. Over 200,000 US troops have transited through it in the last three years. They are being deployed wherever the rulers of the US empire deem it necessary.
Since the war on Gaza, the airport has facilitated the supplies of US weaponry to Israel. According to an investigation by the Ditch, US military aircraft made 34 landing requests of Shannon Airport in April of last year alone. So it was fitting that Sinead and Waleed asserted their right to make a symbolic protest at the airport.
However, after they passed by the airport police, attempts were soon made to remove them.
Gardai were called and threatened the protestors to move on. Sinead Jackson was asked about her occupation and was told that she might be banned from interacting with children if she was refused Garda clearance. She pointed out that 14,000 children in Gaza had already been murdered and children being slaughtered during a genocide was her priority.
Waleed decided to withdraw from the airport as his status might lead to deportation. However, Gardai tried to enlist him as a persuader to remove Sinead Jackson. He pointed out to the guards that it was Sinéads choice what she choose and decided to do next.
Eventually, the Gardai invoked the Public Order Act to stop Sinead Jackson from unfurling a Palestinian banner and subsequently charged her under Section 8 of this act.
However, the irony of this should not be lost on anyone. Tens of thousands of US troops regularly walk through Shannon airport in their uniforms. They often wear small American flags on their apparel.
Yet here is a woman being arrested simply for holding a Palestinian flag in the same airport. The flag, the banner, and the stories they represented, including those of Sinéad's friend A'la Alwadiya, trapped in Khan Yunis, and Waleed Maza's family in Northern Gaza amid starvation were confiscated as evidence and may never be returned.
Nothing better illustrates the sheer hypocrisy of the Irish government. Sure, they condemn Israel in words but in deeds, they allow US troops to strut around Shannon airport while denying the right to unfurl Palestinian flags.
As Khan Yunis is currently under heavy attack, it is unknown whether A'la is still alive as we write this message. Sinéad has been closely monitoring her social media and sent messages, but A'la has not responded in over 24 hours.
Sinead Jackson's trial is on February 5th in Ennis.