The country’s largest public service union, Fórsa, has joined with Le Chéile – a cross-sectoral alliance working together to challenge the far right in Ireland – the NWCI and other ICTU-affiliated unions for this weekend’s #IrelandForAll rally.
The union’s officers have formally backed Fórsa joining the alliance, and to support its anti-racism rally taking place in Dublin on Saturday (18th February).
The union’s banner will join the rally, which starts at 1.30pm at Parnell Square, from where it will make its way to the Customs House.
Fórsa activists, members and staff will be rallying to the messages of #DiversityNotDivision and #RefugeesWelcome, and will be joining the rally from all over the country. The union has arranged bus transport for members travelling from Galway and Cork.
The union’s head of Education Andy Pike said Fórsa’s participation in Saturday’s rally was an important statement to oppose attempts by far-right organisations to spread hate, fear and misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers.
“These groups have been targeting working-class communities in recent months, stoking unwarranted fear and resentment” he said.
“The trade union movement has a proud history of opposing racism, bigotry and sectarianism. In joining the rally, Fórsa participants are proudly opposing those malign forces. Racism has no place in Irish society, and we will reinforce that important message on Saturday,” he said.
Fórsa organisers Dylan Archbold and Amy Moran said the union stands in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. Ms Moran works with the union’s Services and Enterprises division and has been volunteering with the East Wall for All group.
She said Fórsa’s backing for the rally was a positive pushback against misinformation and intimidation tactics of the far right: “Our message is one of inclusion and hope, and about making sure that refugees know that the vast majority of people welcome them to Ireland,” she said.
Mr Archbold, who works with Fórsa’s Education division, said: “The recent protests by the far right have been deliberate attempts to intimidate those in direct provision and emergency accommodation.
“The trade union movement has a central role to play in facing down those attempts to frighten and intimidate people who have come to Ireland seeking sanctuary from hunger, poverty, climate catastrophe and war. We say it clearly, ‘Refugees are Welcome’ and we say it with pride,” he said.
Fórsa general secretary and ICTU president Kevin Callinan said: “Solidarity is a key value of the trade union movement. We must support those fleeing war, persecution and natural disasters. We urge all those citizens who want to support these values to come to the rally on Saturday. We must speak out and challenge those who are peddling hate speech in our communities and workplaces.
“Fórsa supports policies to end direct provision and make it easier for refugees to access employment. We support their right to be able to live with dignity, in peace, and free of the type of harassment and intimidation we’ve been seen in recent weeks,” he said.
