SIPTU Organiser tells Dundalk rally that collective action overcomes politics of hate

Collective action by workers within their communities is crucial to facing down the spread of far-right hate and misinformation, SIPTU Organiser, Brian Condra, told the Rally Against Racism organised by Dundalk Communities United, in Earl Street, Dundalk, last Sunday. 

Addressing the event, Mr Condra, said: “The labour movement begins in your workplace but it does not end there. It must also be on our streets, in our houses and in our communities. The labour movement is based on the power of the collective, the politics of hate and division are directly opposed to that. 

He continued: “In Ireland, our history has told us what the power of the collective can do in the face of an overwhelming colonial power and disaster. James Connolly the forefather of the trade union movement of this land, was himself the child of migrants, who knew the hatred and the fear that came with that.

"He spent most of his life outside of Ireland. In the US he once made the observation that Ireland must become the beacon of freedom to the oppressed, we should be that beacon.” 

He added: “It is not enough to just be anti-racist, we must be anti-intolerance of all kinds. As a collective, that is how we will build a better Ireland. The far-right has been thoroughly rejected by the local community in Dundalk, it is you through the power of the collective which has removed them from our streets.” 

The Rally Against Racism was a family-friendly event which included an interactive art piece under the theme ‘If your table's too small make it bigger’ and live performances by local musicians. The rally was called in opposition to recent far-right rallies in Dundalk.