A Spectacle Of Defiance And Hope

by Rita Fagan Thu Dec 02, 2010 14:18

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED POSTER AND IGNORE PREVIOUS ONE

THANK YOU
RITA FAGAN

spectacle_poster1.pdf 0.1 Mb

by D_D Thu Dec 02, 2010 17:30

This is a great event and should be supported by everyone.

On 29th September the ICTU asked trade unions not to bring their banners. Now the organisers of the Spectacle "highly recommend bringing White heart-shaped Placards with messages of protest, hope or support rather than Party Banners or Flags. "

A trade union and community organisation march or event should be seen to be broad based and based on the issues over which it is called. Though the political left should respect that by keeping - as they do, by and large - to the back, they should have a part to play in this event. Especially as it is about the entire range of issues, political and economic, now facing working people and communities. Especially as radical, alternative, substantial solutions are now called for. While all proposals should be allowed it would be mistaken to disallow a voice for those with radical and political proposals. Friends, the time for love hearts is gone and the time for angry, radical and revolutionary responses is here. It should of course be an orderly, peaceful event. But it's not a a sunny Celtic Tiger July afternoon in 2001. It's a freezing December crisis night in 2010.

Not allowing or welcoming - in their proper respectful place - other voices on a march or event is to create the public relations impression that because everyone is marching together, as of course they should be, that everyone is also in full agreement with the perspective of the organisers.

by mc snow Sat Dec 04, 2010 01:45

The event is called a "Spectacle" and mention is made of performances during the march. From this I take it that the idea is to create an impressive-looking event by having a clear visual theme, not to suppress any views. The organisers made no requests as to what slogans you use, just to leave behind the party banners in order to not mess up the look of the thing.

I don't think it's the same as ICTU's request for no banners. I know that kids in a lot of the community groups have been making props and costumes for this, I think it would be a shame to see them drowned out with the same old banners we see on every march. If we're going to keep going down the route of demos, we should get creative and move beyond the same old banners-and-speeches crap that we always do in Ireland. We're long overdue some more carnival-of-resistance-type events in this country...

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sun Dec 05, 2010 15:05

if your heading out.

Allow me suggest Bertie's be lynched at the traitors gate on Stephen's Green.Unless ye can get your hands on the original.

by Jackie Tue Dec 07, 2010 23:38

This sounds like a good idea, hope you get a better turnout than tonight’s budget protest. Who’s paying for the Spectacle protest?

by D_D Wed Dec 08, 2010 16:48

'Not to mess up the look of the thing.' Are we being invited to be participants or spectators of the Spectacle?

"We're long overdue some more carnival-of-resistance-type events in this country..."

I would agree with this, in better times! This is the first response of the communitiy organisations - and with them the trade unions - following the savage Budget in which the demands made on 27th November have been ignored. Yes we have had marches and speeches (and Congress provided more of it last Saturday), but what we are now long overdue is not a celebratory carnival, it is a 24 hour national stoppage.

Anyway, it's planned now, and the best of luck with it. I'll be there.

by Sinead Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:04

This spectacle is a creative expression of the frustration and anger which exists currently through a use of the arts to publicly express these emotions and therefore make them more powerful and affective, it is a statement by a significant number of groups, ordinary families, young people and organisations. The heart is being ripped out of our communities, families and society, the budget has shown whose side this redundant government is on, the most marginal, people with disabilities, people on minimum wage are all the targets of their severity. This protest is to do something different to the normal trade union protests, it is very grassroots and it is done through drumming, voice and stilt walking, while it is carnival like it is not a carnival…..Also McSnow, all are welcome to take part in the spectacle, we are meeting at 6pm on Castle Street to begin at Cityhall from 7 pm
In solidarity