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Two Government ministers planning to join protests during Donald Trump visit

Two Government ministers have indicated they will protest during the planned Irish visit of US Pr...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.17 2 Sep 2018


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Two Government ministers plann...

Two Government ministers planning to join protests during Donald Trump visit

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.17 2 Sep 2018


Share this article


Two Government ministers have indicated they will protest during the planned Irish visit of US President Donald Trump.

Finian McGrath and John Halligan - both ministers of state from the Independent Alliance - have said they will join public demonstrations in November.

Minister McGrath told the Sunday Independent he would "not roll out the red carpet" for a man whose policies he said are "causing major problems in the world, especially around equality and immigration".

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Minister John Halligan, meanwhile, described the US President as "dangerous and divisive".

A number of other political parties - including Labour, People Before Profit and the Green Party - have called for demonstrations to coincide with the presidential visit, which was announced on Friday night.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin today said this visit will be rallying call for people who oppose Donald Trump's worldview.

He observed: "We've had differences with previous presidents of the United States... but there is a new level of reaction against everything that Donald Trump stands for.

Deputy Howlin highlighted President Trump's "attitude to women, his attitude to people with disabilities, his attitude to migrants... his disregard for basic human rights and telling the truth".

He added: "I think people will take to the streets in a silent, dignified protest to say 'don't believe for one second, Donald Trump, that your views are echoed or shared by the Irish people'.

"There will be a very strong rallying of Irish public opinion - of all shades, from right to left."

Confirming the planned visit on Friday, Tánaiste Simon Coveney insisted the US President is always welcome here:


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