Dublin Communities Against Racism (DCAR) have today accused the Government and racist agitators of having a 'shared agenda' and 'playing politics' with immigrant issues.
The past few days of government statements and reaction to IPAS related issues have very much shifted the blame onto individual asylum seekers and away from the systematic failures they have themselves created. This is of course in line with the scaremongering of the anti-immigrant protest leaders, who have relentlessly tried to dehumanise and demonise these same people with their propaganda.
Questions must be asked as to why available accommodation was not used while people were being forced to sleep on our streets (over 2000 empty IPAS beds in February). The threat that homeless asylum seekers may face criminal charges for setting up tents is a criminalisation process and further enforces the perception that they are somehow undesirable.
DCAR spokesperson Padraig Drummond (Streetlink Homeless Support):
"This is taking place against a background of an escalation in racism inspired attacks and the deliberate vandalism of tents and property of rough sleepers across Dublin. And of course, we firmly believe that as the accommodation crisis leads to increased homelessness that this attitude will extend to all rough sleepers."
Our government parties and their policies have created multiple challenges in our country, including the housing, homelessness, and accommodation crisis, naturally a central concern for many people. Likewise, they have overseen a disastrous process which serves neither the best interests of immigrants nor existing communities. Far-right election candidates and other racists have capitalised on people's anger and directed this towards foreigners, rather on those responsible.
DCAR spokesperson Diarmuid Mac Dubhghlais (longtime homeless and community activist):
"As community-based activists, we can say clearly that the level of online rhetoric and hate is not reflected in our areas and among our neighbours. Decent people are capable of addressing their concerns without being manipulated by political-wannabees or Government spin".
Ironically, this week we have seen how the British Tory party have played politics with the issue in the run up to their own local elections. They are trying to woo voters with their tough stance on asylum seekers, and with the bonus of a sham standoff with our government , which the anti-Irish racists and Unionists will be lapping up.
DCAR spokesperson Joe Mooney (Community activist):
"For those being misled by the agenda of the racist political hopefuls, there is a very important lesson from history; in 1979 Margaret Thatcher and the Tories had a record breaking election victory. A big factor in their success was that they adopted the same anti-immigrant rhetoric of the fascist National Front and won over thousands of working-class voters because of this propaganda. In the following years they devastated the very same working-class communities across the UK, wiping out industry, creating mass unemployment and slashing essential services.""It is no exaggeration to say that the current wave of Irish anti immigrant protestors are essentially helping put FF and FG back into power and maintaining the status quo, just as the NF did for the Tories".
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