Mayo to stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers
The Mayo For All Coalition is calling for support in combating the serious rise in racist scapegoating of asylum seekers and refugees happening around Ireland in recent months.
The coalition which includes a wide range of organisations and community groups in Mayo is calling on members of the public to join a family friendly demonstration on Saturday next at 1 p.m. on Market Square, Castlebar, to stand in solidarity with the refugees and asylum seekers who are being attacked and scapegoated for the problems in Irish society.
The spokesperson for the groups, Elena Lydon, stated: “We have witnessed frightening attacks on centres housing innocent women and children by angry mobs whipped up by known far right agitators.”
“People in communities across Ireland are in dire straits. They face unaffordable bills, skyrocketing rents and long waiting lists for public services which should be free at the point of use.”
“Our communities feel abandoned by the government irrespective of race, nationality, colour or creed but ethnic minorities and refugees are not to blame for the housing crisis, they are more likely to be victims of the cost of living and housing crises.
"The deliberate scapegoating of minorities by the far right is a vicious, racist tactic to spread division and fear in our diverse communities.”
“Our communities are not racist. The far right are going into communities and using a minority to spread misinformation.
"The far right are amplifying racist voices and portraying them as the general consensus of the community. The far right does not speak for our communities.
“This is why we are calling for a response of unity and solidarity against the racism that is being spread in our society by the far right.
"This is our time to come together, across communities, sports clubs, schools, women’s groups, lone parents, trade unionists, Traveller movements, minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ organisations, disability groups, anti-racist groups, refugee and asylum seeking organisations, faith based communities, youth and community groups and services.
“The terrorising of refugees and asylum seeking communities and other members of our communities has no place in our society.
"So, we are asking the public to gather with us on Saturday on Market Square, Castlebar, for a peaceful, family friendly demonstration, of all progressive groups who support our cause in working for a better, fairer Ireland to come together, support each other and march to celebrate the rich diversity of Ireland.
"Our rally will represent the majority of Irish people who will not be intimidated into silence.
“We must stand together, support each other and use this strength to create real and sustainable change for all people in Ireland. We are stronger together.”