Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

'Festival for Change': Calls for voters to protest like it's 2014 at last big rally before election

Organiser Brendan Ogle has predicted it will be “the biggest protest in Ireland ever”.

ORGANISERS OF TODAY’S Right2Change protest in Dublin city centre want voters to roll the clock back to the latter half of 2014.

They’re appealing for a large turnout at this afternoon’s College Green protest.

Water charges protest PA WIRE PA WIRE

Supported by a range of unions, left-wing parties and politicians, Right2Change grew out of the anti-water charge protest movement which reached its peak in the autumn and winter of 2014 as tens of thousands of people turned out for rallies in the capital.

The movement is credited with forcing the government into a climbdown on water charges, as a lower capped rate was announced by environment minister Alan Kelly.

Numbers at protests have declined over the past year or so – but organiser Brendan Ogle said last month he was predicting today’s rally would be “the biggest protest in Ireland ever”.

Confirming details for this afternoon’s event, the umbrella group this week described the rally as a major national demonstration and a ‘festival for change’.

College Green

Marchers are being asked to gather at the Garden of Remembrance on Parnell Square at 2pm. They’ll then cross the Liffey at O’Connell Bridge, proceeding along the quays and up Winetavern Street, past Dublin City Council’s offices.

Speakers will address the crowd from a stage set up at College Green, with the line-up to include election candidates running under the Right2Change banner.

“We are expecting large numbers to travel to Dublin city centre for a national demonstration – once again asserting our Right2Water and opposition to water charges, and raising our voice for our Right2Change,” Ogle said in a statement.

Along with a number of smaller parties and independents, Sinn Féin and People Before Profit are both running under the Right2Change banner.

However the Anti-Austerity Alliance, the other half of the AAA-PBP alliance, is not. The AAA issued a statement in November saying it was a mistake to have SF at the centre of the movement, and accusing Gerry Adams’ party of a “power grab” (it’s complicated).

Read: Anti-water charges leader promises “biggest protest in Ireland ever” before election

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
80 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds