CAMPAIGNERS who picketed a visit to Donegal by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Monday have hit back at claims by the Mayor of Donegal that they are ‘militants’ but have also distanced themselves from a ‘minority’ who were there.
In a joint statement, Donegal Action Against Austerity and Campaign Against Home and Water Taxes, defended their right to protest when Enda Kenny visited LYIT.
The statement said: “The Mayor of Donegal has slammed our protest as a ‘militant protest’ undertaken by campaigners which he stated was bringing ‘shame’ and ‘negative publicity’ to the County.
“First of all we are not ‘militant protesters’ we are working class people extremely concerned with the policies of this government.There were protesters present that conducted themselves in a manner that we would not condone but these people were a minority.
“Before Frank Mc Brearty got elected he stated that he was going to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Donegal to express their views before he was elected to the council. We now believe he was just playing politics himself. We need to stand up for the people of Donegal.
“This was an Anti-Austerity Protest and our intention was to send out a clear message to the government that austerity isn’t working.This was a peaceful and dignified protest of at least 150 people. It included people of all ages some of them pensioners.
“Fair play to everybody who came along to let their voices be heard. in a desperate attempt to thwart protesters, the Taoiseach’s two cars were whisked away with utmost haste towards the rear of the college, causing many to believe he had left. Those who didn’t believe this ruse stayed outside the building to await his departure.”
The Campaign against Home and Water Taxes Donegal (C A H W T) and DAAA will be holding a public meeting in the Station House Hotel,Letterkenny on Monday March 11th 2013 at 7.30pm
The main speaker will Richard Boyd Barrett T D, who is an active member of the campaign. Joe Murphy of Donegal Action Against Austerity(D.A.A.A) will also be speaking on the podium.We will be joined on the night by speakers from local campaign groups from around the County. DAAA will ALSO be holding a meeting open to the public in the Persian bar in Carn on the 13th March at 7.30pm were they will form a local action group.
Tags: