Gardaí have warned the organisers of today’s Black Lives Matter protest that they may be endangering public health.
The demonstration got underway at the US embassy in Dublin this afternoon.
It has been organised in solidarity with demonstrations against police brutality across the US following the killing of George Floyd.
It is calling for an end to Direct Provision and highlighting racism in Ireland.
Protests are also planned in Cork, Galway and Sligo today.
— Stephen Bourke (@AnBurcach) June 6, 2020
The Chief Medical Officer and the Health Minister had both warned that the protests should not go ahead in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak - and Gardaí say they have spoken to organisers to warn them of their responsibilities.
Speaking this afternoon, Minister Simon Harris urged people to protest in other ways while the COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.
“If there are four people at the American Embassy safely and socially distanced that is in line, if there are more than that, it is not,” he said.
“So, my appeal to people would be, there are other ways of making your protest known.
“You can write to the US Embassy; you should absolutely make your views known – protest is a really important and legitimate part of democracy but public health is really important too.”
Some signs and what can only be interpreted as supportive honking from passing cars. pic.twitter.com/Vp9De8nTWb
— Stephen Bourke (@AnBurcach) June 6, 2020
In a statement, Gardaí said they warned the organisers that the may face prosecution for breaching COVID-19 regulations.
“An Garda Síochána have spoken with the organisers in relation to that and have advised them of their responsibilities of social distancing under the guidelines," said Garda Superintendent Thomas Murphy.
IMPORTANT INFO REGARDING #BlackLivesMatter protest by @masi_asylum, @BlackPrideIre and @merj_ireland
Text unroll to follow this tweet pic.twitter.com/EsnRSNZlG3
— MERJ Ireland (@merj_ireland) June 5, 2020
Mr Floyd’s death in police custody last month sparked a wave of demonstrations across the US and around the world.
Thousands attended a protest in Dublin last weekend; however, follow-up demonstrations were cancelled amid concern over COVID-19 restrictions.
— Stephen Bourke (@AnBurcach) June 6, 2020
The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland said the killing has resonances with what it calls "systematic racism" by the Irish state - including the ending of birthright citizenship with the 27th Amendment and the Direct Provision system for asylum seekers.
It said it understands the risks involved with the demonstration and organisers have asked people to bring face masks and hand sanitisers wherever possible.
They said markers would also be installed in the area to help people stay two metres apart from each other.
Chief Medical Officer Dept of Health Dr Tony Holohan. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/RollingnNews.ieSpeaking last night, Dr Tony Holohan said he understands the motivation behind the protests but said now is not the time for mass gatherings.
“I wouldn’t want to take anything away from people’s right to protest or our understanding of the motivation behind it or anything like that,” he said.
“So, it is not a comment on any of that but we think now is not the time to be organising mass gatherings or events that have the potential to become mass gatherings.
“So, we have a message for people who are organising to not organise those kinds of events and people who are thinking of attending to stay away.”
Depending on the size of the crowd and safety; we will make our way to Avoca on Suffolk Street. Folks should continue to social distance, keep masks on, and follow the advice of stewards. However if the size of the crowd is too large to safely march we will stay at the US embassy
— MERJ Ireland (@merj_ireland) June 5, 2020
Protest organiser Lucky Kambule said everyone is aware of the need to protect each other from the virus; however, the current situation is “about everybody and it demands for us to respond spontaneously as things happen.”
“These are things that we cannot really postpone and we can’t, as people from Ireland, sit back,” he said.
We have received lots of queries about what people can do if they cannot be physically present. Follow our twitter to see live tweets from the day. Put posters and signs in your windows. Drive past with signs in your window (safely). 6/
— MERJ Ireland (@merj_ireland) June 5, 2020
He said the demonstrations to date have given people the courage to speak up about racism in Ireland.
“It has galvanised people and it has amplified their voices,” he said.
“It has made people reflect on their own personal experiences of racism and it has given people the courage to come out and speak up.”
The demonstration gets underway at 3pm.
