PEOPLE FROM New Ross travelled to Dublin at the weekend to join in a national protest march in support of the people of Gaza.
The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign saw over 10,000 people descend on the Capital on Saturday where they marched from the spire in O’Connell Street to the Israeli embassy.
At that point a live link-up was arranged so that those in attendance could hear directly, on the phone, from a doctor in a hospital in Gaza who gave an update on the appalling conditions that medical staff and struggling to work under.
Speaking to The Echo after the march, Wexford IPSC representative, Gerard Barron praised all those who gave up their time to travel up to Dublin.
“It was fantastic to see so many New Ross people at the demonstration which was the biggest in Dublin for years,” he said.
“We have had many messages from people in Gaza expressing their gratitude to the ordinary people of Ireland for showing solidarity with them and stressing how much of an uplift they get from it,” he added.
Mr. Barron also said the Irish Government is ‘out of touch’ with the Irish people on the issue of Palestine.
He said officials here need to “show a bit of courage” instead of toeing the EU line and ignoring what is happening.
When asked what action he and his group would recommend happening Mr. Barron said: “The first and obvious action they should take is to expel the Israeli ambassador from Dublin along with all his diplomatic corp. Charlie Flanagan stated that expelling ambassadors only happens in exceptional circumstances. Well we say, if the fourth biggest military force in the world is indiscriminately bombing a civilian population who have nowhere to run, including killing many children, is not an exceptional circumstance then we would like to know what is?”
The New Ross branch of the IPSC also took exception to an accusation by Cllr. Michael Sheehan last week that its members were responsible for an act of vandalism last week which saw property in New Ross being sprayed with graffiti purporting to support the people of Gaza.
“We absolutely refute the allegation and condemn any defacement of property,” said Mr. Barron.
He also said the group is disappointed that Cllr. Sheehan put a negative slant on the good work being done by “so many people” who are appalled at what is happening in Gaza.
“We are currently working to collect supplies for various humanitarian aid projects including a national Toy Drive, to provide children in Gaza with things to brighten up their lives,” he said.
“Other projects we have been involved with include commissioning talented local artist Ciarán Moran to produce some fantastic murals to brighten up our town – with permission it has to be stated,” he added.
With regard to the graffiti incident Mr. Barron said such activity is “an insult to our group and all it stands for”.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given so much support when meeting us out on the streets,” he said.
The group is also open to anyone interested in getting involved and more information or initial contact can be made through the website: [email protected] or on the Wexford IPSC Facebook page.
