Thousands are expected to line the streets of Dublin on Saturday in a march to express solidarity with refugees in the wake of rising far right racist protests.
Musicians, including Christy Moore and Maverick Sabre, are backing the march and will play a small concert at the Custom House at the end of the solidarity rally.
The Ireland for All movement is supported by political parties, trade unions, community groups, NGOs, campaigners and activism groups from all over the country.
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One of the main themes is ‘inclusivity’ with the organisers keen to show that Ireland is still a country of the cead mile failte, hundred thousand welcomes, for all visitors coming to these shores.
There has recently been an increasing number of protests against the arrival of refugees seeking asylum from war-torn and oppressive regime countries like Ukraine.
Some of the demonstrations have turned nasty, with foreign families being targeted at the reception centres and homes they are being housed in by the State.
Ireland for All says it aims to counter this rising wave of xenophobia.
Over 100 national and local organisations are backing the event – including the Irish Refugee Council, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the National Women’s Council (NWC) Ireland, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, The Union of Students Ireland, Le Chéile, End Direct Provision, Community Work Ireland, and Pavee Point.
NWC Head of Campaigns Rachel Coyle said: “As women, it’s really important that we come out in solidarity with women fleeing situations of war and poverty.
“We have to take a stand against the misogyny and racism inherent in large groups targeting women, children, and men in their homes and in Direct Provision.
“We have to make sure that women of all backgrounds and ethnicities feel safe on our streets.”
Fórsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, SIPTU, the Communications Workers Union, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland and Unite are among the many trade unions backing the event, along with political parties including Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and the Socialist Party.
Community groups supporting the demonstration include Ballyfermot Anti-Racism Network, Ballymun For All, Drimnagh For All, Drogheda For All, Dublin City Community Cooperative, East Wall Here For All, Finglas For All, Kildare For All, Laois Africa Support Group, Limerick Movement Against Racism, Northside For All, Refuge for Rathdown, Sligo Traveller Support Group, and Smithfield Boxing Club.
Speakers at the rally will include Peter McVerry, activist Aibhe Smyth, Lucky Khambule of the Movement of Asylum-Seekers in Ireland, Leon Diop of the Black & Irish podcast, Rachel Coyle of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, and Dr Salome Mbugua who chairs AkiDwA: the Migrant Women’s Network of Ireland.
Supporters are asked to assemble in Parnell Square, Dublin 1, for a 1.30pm march to the Customs House where there will be a rally with music from Christy Moore, Maverick Sabre, Zeztra, Smilez, Steo Wall and Adam Mohamed.
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