Galway Anti Household Charge Protest and the “infamous” chair!
So i heard there was a protest on Monday afternoon at City Hall against the new Household Charge. I grabbed my camera and headed up for a look.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as protests in Galway are so few and the ones that do happen usual attract the same people. But thats for another article!
Outside City Hall i came apon a group of about 60 to 70 people gathered around the circular plaza thats in front of the building. Speeches were well in progress.
The first thing that struck me was the age profile of the protestors. The majority of which were of pensionable age and they could certainly make themselves heard when the orator asked who here owned their own houses.
A loud “i do” rose up in front of the building. There was a palpable sense of anger and defiance from the crowd.
After the various orators delivered their speeches the group then proceeded into the lobby in which they intended to hand in a petition to the members of the city council. The door to the Chamber was blocked by Gardai and negotiations where underway well underway before i got into the lobby . The crowd continued to chant slogans which were now louder then outside because of the layout of the lobby.
Council workers looked down from the first floor in amazement and curiosity.
By this stage more Gardai had arrived and a representative of the Council came out to address the leaders. Petitions were handed in and some more speeches were given.
When it seemed like the protest was over and the job done new life was suddenly unleashed. A number of protestors had noticed that the two large doors which open into the council chamber were not locked. With a sudden rush they made a break for it.
Everyone instantly ran for the door. I desperately tried to change the settings on my camera to capture the moment of the protest. Gardai now moved in enmasse and started to drag and eject protestors from both the chamber itself and the lobby.
Alot of pushing and shoving ensued and it has been alledged a chair was used in a threatening manor. I didnt see any chair been thrown or raised above head height although some people inside the chamber have said so.
The shamozzle was over just as quick as it started and a line of Gardai now blocked any entrance to the chamber. Some more slogans were shouted and parts of the constitution were read out. And then in small groups the protest left the lobby
and that was that. I overheard one protestor say, ” we made our point”.
No Chairs were harmed in the production of this article.
Shame on these people who do not want to pay their share of taxes like the rest of us. A lot of these pensioners cannot see beyond their own lives and see the suffering that working class people who are now without jobs are going through. Most of them are, most likely, mortgage free and also got huge increases in their pensions during the “tiger” years, far beyond increases received by workers who have since taken several hits. They have become too used to getting things for free (health care, medication, TV licence, fuel allowance etc.) and not having to pay bills like the rest of us that they now figure that they should not have to pay for anything at all and this attitude is being condoned and encouraged by the media. To them I would say – rescue your country like the rest of us – unless you simply are not in a position to do so – but most of you are. This tax is probably fairer than most as it does not isolate one group of people and is spread across the country and both public and private sector. You may be old but you need to grow up!
Dear Catherine!
Sorry but I do not agree that only Pensioners are protesting! Iwas there myself as a private sector worker in my 40s! It is time to make a stand. All the money they are trying to collect is going to the banks in Europe. These are pure austerity charges. I have not caused this crisis so I am not going to pay for it. We have suffered enough. Look at all the bankers that are responsible for the crisis – nobody has ever been prosecuted. Speculators and gamblers had brought down the country. The banks that lent the money to irish banks also gambled and need to be hit. We don’t need loans from Europe. What we need is to default on our debt (These are not our debts). After that we must reduce these ridiculous high wages in the public sector. The public sector earns 50% more than the private sector, works less hours, gets more holidays and has secure jobs. This will stabilise the finances and the country will start growing again. If we can balance our books we will have a future. If we keep accepting money from Europe it will only prolong the problems. Our children will be still paying off debts in 40 years time that they never caused.
I believe that the current system is a pyramid sceme!
Peter