Reports from Protests around the Country
Over the weekend just gone, there was a series of pickets placed on the clinics of government TDs accross the country, to keep them under pressure, and to let them know that we will not be bullied in to paying. Here we carry reports from some of the protests.
Carlow
The weather coupled with a blackout from local media stopped this protest from being a more sizable event but it was still a major success in that the campaign was once again seen and heard on the streets of Carlow. Previous protests had gathered 350+ in Carlow town and in comparison to that figure, the 65+ could have disheartened people, but there was still a great spirit of defiance wrapped up in a carnival atmosphere as we walked through the town.
We met with staunch support as always from passers-by, with people in their cars adding to the noise and atmosphere as we passed – no doubt nonpayers themselves – as 52% of actual homeowners nationally have yet to register!! The number in Carlow is slightly higher as only 35% had registered up to deadline day!!
Pat Deering the local Fine Gael TD must have caught wind of our intentions to march on his constituency clinic and decided to make alternative arrangements for the day, but that didn’t stop us marching on his clinic and posting some literature of our own in his letterbox.
We then marched down to the AIB bank where we chanted ‘bail out the people, not the bankers’ and ‘the people united will never be defeated’ amongst other chants directed at the ivory tower brigade of Fine Gael and Labour. There were calls for a move to the bank of Ireland and also to the local shopping centre but after a discussion amongst the protesters it was decided to keep that for another day. Confidence has grown amongst the people and there is no shortage of militancy in the Carlow campaign. We’re looking in good shape for the next phase of action.
Another successful protest, now to build for July the 18th and the trip to the Dail! The people united, will never be defeated!
Dublin West
Just under 30 campaigners picketed Minister Leo Varadkar’s constituency office in Ongar, West Dublin today. As expected, neither the minister nor his local minions, Cllr Loftus and Cllr Dennison, were home. Campaigners were particularly anxious to see Cllr Dennison who, at June meeting of Fingal County Council, had described CAHWT activists as a “mob”. the protest received alot of positive attention and support from passing shoppers and motorists. A members meeting is planned for late next week to discuss and agree a local strategy for when Hogan’s threatening letters begin to drop.
Kildare
CAHWT Kildare protested outside Jack Wall TD’s office in Athy on Saturday Morning 30.06.12. The office had been open earlier in the morning but was closed by the time we reached it but we made a lot of noise and got great publicity for the forthcoming public meeting being held there this Tuesday 3rd July. We also had a letter written in his anticipated disappearance and signed by over 30 people along the way so he’ll be busy reading on Monday morning.
Donegal
Up to 20 members of the Can’t Pay Won’t Pay Cloch Cheann Fhaola group in Co. Donegal protested outside the office of Dinny McGinley TD. We were there from 12 midday to 1pm. Protest was broadcast of Raidió na Gaeltachta main news at 12pm, 1pm and 6pm on the Saturday 30th June. Also got good encouragement from the public who were driving past and beeping their support. Dinny McGinley was not in the country yesterday – he was commemorating the Battle of the Somme in France!
Limerick
A group of over 30 anti-home tax campaigners protested outside Jan O’Sullivan’s Clinic today, as part of a national series of pickets around the country,
The protest continued for the entirity of the clinic, with a delegation of 5 going in to explain to the Labour TD why they will not pay the household tax.
A Campaign spokesperson said “We wanted to confront Deputy O’Sullivan with the reality that 52% of people liable for the household tax have not registered, and to let her know the different reasons why. Ann, an activist from Ballinacurra, raised the impact the tax will have on the local economy, taking €2m out. Phil, from Cappamore said he would not pay towards the bank bail out, whilst Pat from Caherdavin said he couldn’t afford to pay having lost his job. We are not the criminals, it is this tax and the government’s austerity agenda which is criminal.
“We also asked Deputy O’Sullivan a number of questions. We asked how much would the property tax cost next year, and the Water tax after? How much did they want us to pay? But she gave no answer. In reality, they want us to write them a blank cheque by registering for all the taxes to come. We said: no way, we won’t pay.”
Monaghan
Monaghan CAH&WT participated in the action day with a picketed on the offices of Cavan/Monaghan Fine Gael TD, Heather Humphreys between 12 noon and 12:30pm on Saturday 30 June
About the Campaign
