People Before Profit has condemned the violent and heavy-handed tactics used by Gardaí and private security against housing activists last night during an eviction of the Fredrick Street North housing occupation protest.
Richard Boyd Barrett TD encouraged people to attend the ‘Take Back the City- Rally Against Garda/Landlord Alliance’ today at 5.30pm 34 Frederick Street North, Dublin. He said that it is important for people to show their indignation at the heavy-handed tactics being used by Gardaí and landlords against peaceful housing protestors.
He said: “The image of masked thugs, sent in by the owners of the vacant property, to forcibly remove the activists being protected by numerous Gardaí encapsulates the states distorted priorities when it comes to the housing crisis and people on the ground who are trying to highlight this social emergency.
“The images and videos of the actions of the Gardaí and the landlord’s hired goons which were going around social media last night and reports of activists, some of whom received hospital treatment, are very disturbing.
“This episode shows us that the state is far more concerned with protecting the interests of private property and private landlords than in ending the housing crisis.
“People Before Profit would like to pay tribute to the brave activists in Take Back the City who put their safety on the line to highlight the issue of the housing crisis and homelessness.
“The use of violence by Gardaí and landlords is absolutely unacceptable and I would urge people to attend the solidarity demonstration today to show their support for these activists.”
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