Change was in the air on Saturday last as 80,000 people took to the streets of Dublin demanding the abolition of the hated water tax.
Right 2 Water campaigners including Deputy Seamus Healy, from all over County Tipperary joined the pre-election demonstration organised by Right 2 Water, Right 2 Change.
The huge turnout on the last Saturday before the election sent a clear message to the outgoing government that public anger at water charges remains unabated and will be reflected in the ballot boxes on Friday.
But it was always clear that the hundreds of thousands who have taken to the streets of our towns and cities over the past eighteen months have not just been protesting against water charges.
Water charges have been the tipping point for many people – but they are just one manifestation of the austerity policies pursued by the outgoing Government and the previous Fianna Fail/Green coalition.
On Saturday we also heard from two homeless women who took to the stage with their children to tell the crowd what it’s like to be denied one of the most basic rights in a civilised society: a secure home in which to raise a family.
So far, 106 candidates including Deputy Seamus Healy have signed up to the Right2Change Policy Principles – the principles which would underpin a new progressive Government.
This coming Friday, February 26th, people in every constituency will have a chance to vote for one or more ‘Candidates4Change’. Another Ireland will become possible on polling day”,
Seamus Healy TD
22/02/2016
087 2802199
At 2pm today we march in Clonmel not just against the water charges but we march for change.
We march for the Right to:
– Have a health service which is fit for purpose.
– Education, including the restoration and increased provision of SNA’s, and an education which is truly free.
– Have gainful and decent employment which would provide dignity, respect and a living wage.
– Democratic Reform where citizens are at the heart of decision making.
– Housing, and to end homelessness and clearing of social housing waiting lists.
– Sustainable Energy, fighting climate change is not a ‘cost’ – it is a necessary strategy for human survival.
– Natural Resources. The assets of our nation were declared in the 1916 Proclamation as belonging to the citizens of Ireland, a Proclamation which
also pledged to cherish all the citizens of the state equally. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is one of the biggest threats to people’s ability to provide labour, social, and environmental protection and represents a proposed transfer of economic and political sovereignty from the Irish citizens to multi-national corporations.
– Equality, the right to equality encompasses social and economic rights which are implied and un-enumerated rights in our Constitution. These rights should be protected in legislation which will address the issues of poverty.
– Debt Justice, as past recklessness of financial speculation is imposing an intolerable burden on people’s future.
Just us at the Main Guard, Clonmel at 2pm.
Seamus Healy TD – 0872802199
Marks and Spencer is trying to impose cuts in pay and conditions on workers at M&S
Mandate has served strike notice and the first one day strike takes place on Saturday next (the day after to-morrow as I write).
Support for the strikers is being nationally co-ordinated by Shane Fitzgerald of “Were not Leaving” in consultation with Mandate (see message below).
Seamus Healy TD and the Mayor Of Clonmel, Cllr Pat English (Workers and Unemployed Action) will be supporting the strike and will be present near the store in Clonmel and providing refreshments to the strikers.
There are 15 stores in all
Clonmel, Cork(Patrick St and Douglas), Killarney, New Bridge, Letterkenny, Drogheda, Athlone, Navan, Galway, Grafton St and a number in Dublin (ring Shane)
Supporters should take instructions from the strikers and Mandate officials at all times lest anything done would enable management to injunct the strikers in the courts.
Please support the strike in any way you can. Contact the strikers in your local area and be available to help them.
Paddy Healy National Organiser, Workers and Unemployed Action 086-4183732
From ‘shanewfitzgerald@gmail.com‘ 086 172 1445
From Shane Fitz here from Celbridge/North Kildare. I’m involved in this young trade unionist/young activist campaign ‘We’re Not Leaving’ and we had the idea to try support the Marks and Spencers strike this Saturday. Not recruiting or anything, just trying to give it some support and help them get a win.
We think we can provide support(show up with sandwiches and tea for the picket) at the 2 stores in Dublin City Centre, Liffey Valley, Newbridge, Galway and Cork.
David Gibney Mandate Head Organiser has sent us the map of stores and there’s one in Clonmel. Do you thank yourself, WUA and friends might be able to get down to the picket there on Saturday?
Thanks
Shane
086 172 1445
Workers & Unemployed Action 