‘Free Pat O'Donnell’ Banner in  Pearl River, New York Sunday, March 21, 2010

The 2010 Rockland County Saint Patrick’s Parade was held on Sunday March 20^th in Pearl River, NY under a sunny sky and in perfect weather conditions for the second largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York State.  The parade was expected to host over 100,000 people; huge numbers of spectators attending this year was believed to be due to the cancellation of a number of nearby parades because of recent bad weather. 

U.S. Shell to Sea activists were present and once again the banner and informational handouts were very well received by the large and enthusiastic numbers of well wishers who visited the location of the   Free Pat O Donnell, Held Hostage by Shell in Ireland

 Banner, which was displayed prominently during the entire parade.  

It was not difficult to notice the banner next to the parade reviewing stand and many people came by to learn more about Pat O’Donnell and Shell Oil.  Prior to the beginning of the parade, thousands of leaflets were handed out all along the parade route.  Some informed bystanders took it upon themselves to explain the shelltosea campaign in County Mayo to their neighbors who came forward to learn more, all asking what they could do to help the efforts.

 Radio Free Eireann (WBAI 99.5 FM) listeners were already well informed about Shell’s scandalous anti-environmental activities in Nigeria and elsewhere.  Others promised to visit the shelltosea.com website to learn more about Pat O’Donnell and others like The Rossport Five and Maura Harrington who have previously been jailed and harassed by the Irish State on behalf of Shell Oil.

The promises of support and a readiness to spread the word made this effort a better than anticipated experience for shelltosea supporters.    The advent of warmer weather, community events, crowded beaches and more people spending time outdoors means that there will be more opportunities to spread the word across the country. 

 Criminalisation of the Community

  The jailing of Pat O'Donnell is a travesty of justice.  He is just the latest victim  by the (Irish) state which has put the interests of Shell and private profit above the interests of its own citizens.

Pat should be released immediately.  Shell's project in Mayo should be halted and the significant oil and gas reserves nationalized and used to fund public services.  

 U.S. supporters join recent weekly demonstration of Justice for Pat O'Donnell outside Castlerea Prison