Dear John,
I'm going to be straight with you, the rise of the far right and facism in Ireland really scares me [1]. Their messages of fear and division, stories from across the globe of shootings in the name of eco-facism (El Paso US and Christchurch, NZ)[2] and racist acts such as the burning of buildings designated as Direct Provision centers [3] are a threat to the work that so many of us do and believe in. A threat to our dreams of a more just, fair and sustainable world. Right now they are a threat to the lives and livelihoods of so many people in Ireland. People who should feel safe and welcome.
This is a season of peace and joy, but on Saturday, the Far Right are holding a rally in Dublin.
Thankfully over 60 groups and organizations have come together to stand up and reject their message. Stop Climate Chaos members are faith based, climate advocates, biodiversity campaigners and more. Will you join us all on Saturday at 1pm for singing and mince pies at the family friendly Rally for Peace on Earth - Against the Politics of Hatred?
I'LL STAND UP FOR A SAFE AND WELCOMING IRELAND
I CAN'T GO BUT I'LL LET MY FRIENDS KNOW
Thousand of us will sing together because staying silent in the face of forces of bigotry, division and hate is not an option.
Busses of people are traveling from Cork and Galway to hold the space for inclusivity and openness. Our coalition members are traveling from across the country to join the protest.
History teaches us what happens when people do not stand up for love and unity. Our generation will be be defined by how we respond to the climate breakdown. People are already being made vulnerable in Ireland and globally by the crisis. We must always keep our focus on justice and a cead míle fáilte. Standing up against the Far Right and eco-facism is crucial [4].
A new decade is just around the corner, lets stand up today for the world we want to see tomorrow,
We hope to see you on Saturday,
Aine and all at SCC
P.S For an overview of eco-facism and why, as people who care about climate justice, we must not allow space for it, read Naoimi Klein's article here. It discusses how on March 15th, the day of the first global climate strike, a shooter describing himself as an eco-facist tragically opened fire on two mosques in New Zealand.
P.P.S We thank the Solidarity Alliance against Racism and Facism for organizing this event.
[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/una-mullally-far-right-ideology-is-entering-mainstream-politics-in-ireland-1.4093555?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/una-mullally-far-right-ideology-is-entering-mainstream-politics-in-ireland-1.4093555
[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/two-mass-murders-a-world-apart-share-a-common-theme-ecofascism/2019/08/18/0079a676-bec4-11e9-b873-63ace636af08_story.html
[3]Leitrim and Donegal
[4] Ecofascism: Naomi Klein Warns the Far Right’s Embrace of White Supremacy Is Tied to Climate Crisis
