I had been planning to go to Ireland for some time and seeing as Hillary Clinton was visiting this week (06 DEC 2012) I decided to head over with my good mate Ciaron O’Reilly. The hypocrisy of Clinton is almost unique, portraying herself as a champion of human rights and democracy whilst supporting every war for the last 22 years. Whether as First Lady, Senator for New York or Secretary of State she has consistently banged the war drum.
I flew into Belfast and met up with Ken Humphrey who has been working on community projects and peace work for well over 20 years. We talked about the possibility of former combatants joining together to form a VFP Chapter in Belfast. We were joined by Rob Fairmichael another long time peace activist, good to make some firm connections in the city.
That night I headed across the border to Dublin were I met up with Ciaron and Máirtín. The next day I was invited to speak at Máirtín’s school. The audience was made up of 15 and 16 year old lads. I told them about my experience of Army life and conflict, needless to say it didn’t match up with their experience of playing Call of Duty. I was told this week that there are more recruits from Ireland joining the British Army than at any time since WW2. One of the pupils had just returned from an Army medical in Belfast.
That afternoon we headed into the GPO and stood for Bradley Manning and Julian Assange. Responses from the public were either positive or non-plussed which I suppose is better than negative. We also turned up to a protest at the Dail that had been called in response to another austerity budget. That evening we headed back to Máirtín’s for the Celtic game and a few tins of hard earned black stuff.
Thursday we met up with Paul O’Toole before heading over to Dublin City University to wait for the arrival of Clinton. Thank you Andrea for driving us over there. We met up again with Stephen, Colm Roddy and Justin Morahan and Niall. Tommy Donnellan and two folks from Occupy Dublin made it just in time to greet Clinton.
That afternoon I met up with former Irish Army Major Ed Horgan. He has been active around US troops transiting through Shannon Airport for ten years. We chatted about forming a VFP Chapter in Ireland. Ed said he was keen to get started. I gave him some VFP Patches with a VFP flag and hopefully a chapter will begin to take shape in the near future.
Thursday evening was spent in Dublin talking at a meeting “War, Media and Wikileaks” organised by Joe Murray of AFRI. Also on the panel were Journalist Harry Brown, Farrah Mokhtareizadeh of Voices for Creative Non-violence and Ciaron O’ Reilly of London Catholic Worker. Joe Black started off the evening with a rendition of his great song ‘The Ballad of Giuseppe Conlon‘. There was a good turnout and many stayed behind to continue the discussion in the bar afterwards.
Thank you to Máirtín and Andrea for putting us up in Dublin, mi casa es su casa.
Ben Griffin, VFP London.
Veterans For Peace UK 
Peace and Solidarity from Melbourne Australia. The mildy amusing action squad has been busy occupying the dept of foreign affairs and war trade, and the US consulate here. A photographer wearing a BAE systems t shirt was prominently photographing our protest at the US consulate. BAE has an office in Melbourne which we have picketed. The unashamed links between global arms manufacturers and their biggest client show how much they depend on keeping their activities away from public scrutiny. Exposing BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER double speak will always be a great service to humanity.
But unlike 1984, they cannot break our spirit or take our soul and we cannot be bought nor will we sell our souls for their trinkets. This makes us formidable even though small in number. Rejoice because the truth has set us free and will set us all free and the world free. Nothing can stop the triumph of the truth in the end no matter how long the road
Well done Ben for continuing to stand for Peace and Truth. Your efforts help more people to wake up and really consider things, and for that I am so grateful to you. I am sure you have changed some lives for the better in meeting those young lads with your honesty and your courageous heart – they need that example and they will remember it.
A NI group between Loyalists and Nationalists would be great (ala Combatants for Peace, an Israeli/Palestinian group that I’m sure you’ve heard of). Also, I think that there are some people formerly involved in the Troubles who have links to The Forgiveness Project. Bravo on ‘greeting’ Clinton. I was at University in Galway when Reagan visited, and went to the protests organised by the CND.