People Before Profit are appalled by the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee in Sligo this week. Our thoughts are with their families and with the LGBT+ community in Sligo and beyond.
The brutal murders, which appear to have been motivated by homophobia, are a stark reminder that these kinds of hate crimes are by no means a thing of the past.
Attacks like this do not happen in isolation. While movements for LGBT+ liberation have made significant strides in recent times, there has also been pushback from reactionary forces that wish to drag us backwards. Extreme hate is promoted by the far right, as well as other homophobic and transphobic groups and individuals.
It is now more important than ever to build a movement against all forms of hatred and bigotry in society.
People Before Profit send our condolences to the families of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee. We wish a speedy recovery to those who were assaulted.
There will be vigils taking place around the country over the next few days. So far, these are happening at the following locations. We will update as we hear of others:
Belfast: Friday, 6pm, City Hall
Bray: Friday at 5pm, Bandstand.
Carlow: Fri, 6pm, Liberty Tree Fountain
Drogheda: Fri, 6pm, Tholsel
Dublin: Friday, 1pm at the Spire
Dublin: Friday, 6 pm at Dáil Éireann
Dundalk: Fri, 6pm, Town Square
Galway: Saturday, 7 pm in Eyre Square
Kilkenny: Fri, 6:30pm, Town Hall
Limerick: Monday, 6 pm in Arthur’s Quay Park
Loughrea: Fri, 5 pm, The Long Point
Sligo: Friday, 6 pm at Town Hall
Tralee: Monday at 7pm, the Square
Waterford: Friday, 10 am in John Roberts Square
Wexford: Fri, 7pm, Wexford Quay