People Before Profit strongly supports the local campaign group Rathdown for Palestine which is calling on members of the public to join a protest march this Saturday, July 12th at 1:30 PM, assembling at Dundrum Luas Bridge, to demand urgent action from the Irish government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill before the Dáil summer recess.
The protest, which will wind its way through Dundrum, is part of a nationwide campaign to end Irish complicity in the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. The Occupied Territories Bill, if enacted, would ban trade with and economic support for illegal settlements in occupied territories, in accordance with international law.
The campaign group says it is crucial that the government does not drop services from the bill, which would gut the bill by 70%. Leading campaigner in the area Síomha Ní Aonghusa of People Before Profit says ''We have an opportunity to do something as a country that would actually have an impact. We cannot wait for the Dáil to go off on summer break and then resume progress in the autumn. The children of Gaza cannot wait for Irish government TD's to come back from their summer holidays. And crucially, the bill has to include services for it to really have an impact. Services account for 70% of Irish trade with the Occupied Territories.''
The event will feature speeches from a diverse and powerful line-up of voices, including:
- David Hickey – Irish Sport for Palestine
- Síomha Ní Aonghusa – People Before Profit
- Sinead Gibney TD – Social Democrats, Rathdown
- Representatives from:
- Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC)
- Mothers Against Genocide
- Health Workers for Palestine
Rathdown for Palestine is calling on all those who stand for justice, international law, and human rights to attend and show solidarity with the Palestinian people. This is a critical opportunity to apply public pressure on elected officials to take a principled stand before the Dáil breaks for the summer.
Media are invited to attend. Interviews and photo opportunities available on-site.
Event Details:
Where: Assemble at Dundrum Luas Bridge
When: Saturday, July 12th
Time: 1:30 PM
What: Protest march through Dundrum