As to the ‘protests’…

Heard a range of reports from the so-called ‘protest’ outside the Shelbourne Hotel by anti-refugee/asylum seekers. The very fact it occurred tells us much even if the political power and reach of those involved is limited (though, as in last week’s post on this terrydunne noted, they are already having an impact on the political rhetoric of other parties).

The numbers were low, very low really, underscoring how this is anything but ‘Ireland’s first grassroots movement’. The counter-protest, though laudable, was also ill-attended, and one has to wonder would it be better to build a process by which larger numbers can be fielded on such protests in a longer space of time. For example the counter-protest in East Wall was well attended some weeks back. That sort of activity if the numbers are there seems to have a certain value. 

Una Mullally noted one key point made by Lynn Ruane:

Those taking advantage of discontent do not have communities’ interests at heart. If they did, they would, as Senator Lynn Ruane pointed out, already be working in services that help people, not stoking rage online and off, and leading people not just down the garden path but into a cul de sac where resentment and division fester.