Crowds have been gathering “to tackle racism” at a protest on O’Connell Street in Dublin this afternoon.
The demonstration was organised by United Against Racism (UAR) to push back against anti-immigrant rhetoric, according to spokesperson Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin.
It comes as an anti-immigrant rally is also underway in Dublin today at the Garden of Remembrance.
Mr Ó Ceannabháin told Newstalk that refugees are incorrectly blamed for many ongoing issues in Ireland.
“It’s not migrants and it’s not asylum seekers who are causing problems in terms of housing,” he said.
“We had a housing crisis a long time before the latest refugee crisis since the war in Ukraine.
“We think it’s really important to push back against this stuff - not only to tackle racism – but to go after the real problems in society.”
Protestors pictured outside the GPO. Image: Joe Caulfield/ NewstalkSpeaking at O’Connell Street today, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said “we reject the toxic division of the far-right”.
“The far right try and project themselves as anti-establishment and that they are fighting for the downtrodden.
“But they are doing the dirty work of the people who have created the housing crisis, who have created inequality in our society and failed in terms of delivering health services.
“They deflect away from the real problems and undermine and weaken our ability to fight for things that really matter.”
Don't Allow Far-right to blame Refugees for government's crises! Stop Attacks on Refugees! #SayNoToHate #StandUpToTheFarRight https://t.co/D152VMDAA0
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) February 5, 2024
Deputy Boyd Barrett said the people of Ireland “reject division and hate”.
“We understand that the far-right are a small minority in our society,” he said.
“The vast majority of people in this country are good, welcoming and decent people.
“They have more than enough cause to be angry about the housing crisis and cost of living crisis – but the far right will not lead them in the direction of solving any of those problems.”
A large Garda presence could be observed at the O’Connell Street protest today.
Main image: Protestors pictured at O'Connell Street. Image: Joe Caulfield/ Newstalk
