More than 80 people were turned out in Letterkenny to hear Independent TD Richard Boyd Barrett appeal to the Donegal public to maintain the tax boycott.
The meeting at the Station H0use Hotel was organized by Donegal Campaign against the Home and Water Taxes (CAHWT Dun na nGall).
He pointed out the inability of the current government to understand the struggle of the ordinary person is a reflection of how out of touch this government actually are.
However he said he was optimistic about the future and still believed ordinary people had the ability to change things by becoming organized in their own communities and work-places.
He urged people to boycott the property tax registration and to become more involved in the campaign.
He also noted three important dates for the campaign- March 23rd -The campaign are calling for a day of regional protests- April 13th-Finance Ministers of Europe at Dublin Castle-campaign calling a large protest to make peoples voices heard and to surround the building-May 1st-To turn the traditional day of workers protests into a day of national civil disobedience-attemt to bring the country to a standstill.
The People Before Profit T D also went on to say that if we dont fight against austerity now there will only be more to come.
“When the Fiscal Treaty comes into effect the government will be making another seven billion in cuts on top of every thing else. This fortells another decade of austerity for us all if those in power continue to get away with this they will eventually wreck our society as well as our economy.It is up to us who care about our country and society to get organized and take an active part in changing the course of our own history.”
The meeting was chaired by John Duffy of the Ramelton campaign group.
John said ” While it is important to organize locally ,we must realise in order for us to win this struggle we must be networked to other groups throughout the state, the ability of CAHWT to do this is one of the main advanages of a national campaign”
Sheamus Kee spoke on behalf of Donegal Action against Austerity while Owen Curran from Falcarragh and Charlie McDyer for Ballybofey spoke on behalf of their local campaign groups.
There was many strong and positive contributions from the floor including questions on the campaigns position on local elections, the situation in Greece and by contrast Iceland septic tanks. TD’s salaries.
There was also a thoughtfull discussion regarding where we go from here in opposing the property tax and can we get unions involved. People agreed that the next two months was crucial for building networks of resistance in their local areas.
Every one left the room energised for, but under no illusions regarding the struggle ahead.
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