Thousands of people attended the ‘Ireland For All’ anti-racism rally in Dublin City Centre this afternoon.
A huge number of people gathered in the centre of Dublin for the Ireland For All demonstration in support of migration and diversity.
A coalition of political parties, labour unions, and community organisations organised the march to support diversity and oppose racism and division. In response to recent far-right protests in Ireland, demonstrators chanted, “Stand up, say it clear, refugees are welcome here,”Dublin Live reported.
Those in attendance included Le Cheile, United Against Racism, MASI, People Before Profit, Social Democrats, Sinn Fein, Labour, SIPTU and Forsa. Demonstrators began gathering at Parnell Square at 1:30pm and marched to the Custom House where a number of speeches and performances took place.
Among the performers was Christy Moore, who led calls for homes and healthcare for all. In addition to criticising the rental industry, he demanded that the government increase its assistance for the public. He also told the gathering that he had come to convey his “revulsion” over recent attacks on refugees in Ireland.
Bernadette McAlliskey addressed demonstrators next, asking the crowd “whose side are you on?”. She called on the public to pick the side of “humanity and decency”.
Academic and activist Ailbhle Smyth said the crowd was there to “stand up against the hatred and disinformation being spewed out by far-right extremists.”
“Their vile racism, transphobia and misogyny, deliberately scapegoating minorities, ratcheting up people’s fears and anxieties, driving a wedge in working class communities, we will not stand for that,” she told the rally.
“We stand together and today call on government to get off its very well-paid bottom and take action to deal with the desperate situation that people in communities all over this country are facing.
“Cost-of-living rise, public health service crisis, public services crisis, racism, failing to end Direct Provision, ongoing appalling violence against women and girls. It has to end, they have to act now.
“Our message is powerful and simple. We want an Ireland For All.”