HUNDREDS DESCENDED on Dublin this weekend for an anti-racism rally designed to counter the rise of far-right politics in Ireland.
The Rally Against Hate was organised by Le Chelle, an alliance of public figures united in working to "counter the rise of fascism and far-right politics in Ireland".
Le Chelle, which translates as “together” in Irish, was established as a platform to help challenge the far-right politics and narratives that have become increasingly prevalent in the Republic.
Its main goal is to debunk much of the misinformation and anti-lockdown rhetoric being pushed by groups on the extreme side of the political divide.
The group is a direct response to the many anti-lockdown protests witnessed over the past few months involving far-right groups.
These demonstrations have often spilled over into violence.
In one particular case, a member of the An Garda Síochána was attacked with a firework.
According to the Irish Independent, Sinn Fein's Louise O'Reilly and the Social Democrats' Gary Gannon were among those in attendance at demonstration on Smithfield this past Saturday.
They were joined by several other TDs including People Before Profit's Richard Boyd Barrett, Paul Murphy and Brid Smyth.
It's a beautiful day to #RallyAgainstHate with @LeCheileDND in Smithfield and look who we found. pic.twitter.com/9mlXn0r42Q
— Cllr Oisín O'Connor (@OConnorOisin) June 19, 2021
Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu was also present at the rally and spoke poignantly about the racism her mother experienced in Ireland.
Chu’s parents are originally from Hong Kong, having moved over to Ireland several decades ago.
"She was a migrant that came over here 45 years ago,” Chu told the crowd.
“And through the years it was always ‘Well we have to fit in, so we can’t put our head up’.
"Any racial attacks she got, an ashtray to the head...that she should go home, it was always followed by the phrase 'We have to keep going and we have to keep our head down, we have to fit in'.
Diversity not Division #Lecheile #Rally #RallyAgainstHate @loreillysf pic.twitter.com/ocbevqSzmC
— Lynn Boylan 🍷📖🐾 (@LNBDublin) June 19, 2021
"But those days are gone. We are an Ireland that is 12pc migrants. We are an Ireland that is diverse and that is different, and those differences should be celebrated.
"If my mother, who is a dishwasher and a cleaner, and who came over here with one bag to make a better life for herself, and her daughter can become Lord Mayor of Dublin, then any person in this country can become anything.
"We need to encourage them for that."
Afterwards, O'Reilly, who also spoke at the rally, tweeted: "The far right cannot be allowed to get a foothold in our city or anywhere else on our island We reject division We stand for diversity We are the many."
