Tomorrow’s Carnival is set to be a powerful statement to all those who would try to divide us for their cynical gains. The demonstration has the support of over 150 organisations, including Trade Unions, migrant groups, community groups, political parties, Palestine solidarity groups and more.
Far-right leaders around the world and their lackeys here whip up racism to deflect from and defend the establishments horrific record over housing, the climate crisis and the tragic state of our social services. Against the ugly rise in racism across the world, the Ireland Against Racism Carnival is a powerful display of diversity and the strength that brings us.
We won't let the far right and other racists divide us. We are a diverse country, and migration has always been fundamental to Ireland, whether it be the millions of Irish who had to flee for better lives or the workers who help make up our vital healthcare sector. We have so much to gain from working together to build an Ireland for all.
The thousands of people endorsing the march are standing against the campaign of racism that has seen reactionary ideas normalised as well as people of colour, LGBTQ community and particular religious communities being physically attacked over this summer. We need to stand with communities, like our Indian community, against racism and demonstrate that the vast majority of Ireland rejects this intimidation.
Anti-racists and communities are getting organised, across the country from Donegal, Belfast, Cork, Galway, Dublin, and elsewhere. Where racists and fascists march, their message should be opposed and counter protested. People Before Profit believes that we must give confidence to anti racist activists across the country and challenging the far right in the streets is a key element in this. The far right should not be able to march through our cities intimidating immigrants unopposed. We also think it is crucial to build big broad mobilisations against racism and tomorrows protest looks set to be a key example of that. We need to continue to show that the far right are a dangerous minority who won't be allowed to gain confidence. It is important to see so many organisations standing against racism this weekend and we need to build on this momentum. In particular we need to deepen the role of the organized labour movement and combine it with community and political action against racism and the far right.
Blame the government not immigrants
The far right pose as anti-establishment but in fact they are a gift to the establishment, because the main cause of the crisis in housing, health and other services is a government which prioritises the rich and is happy to deflect blame toward the most vulnerable people in society. There is no clearer example than Jim O’Callaghan’s racketing up of deportations and saying refugees were ‘abusing’ state accommodation, all the while, the construction of housing has collapsed again under a Fianna Fáil minister.
People Before Profit is committed to building such a movement against racism, all other forms of oppression and the far-right.