Cavan unite for dec 6 water protesters

Paul Neilan

On Saturday, December 6, the Cavan Says No to water charges and the local branch of the Right2Water group will host a festive protest with music and speakers at the main square in the town and are inviting people of all backgrounds and beliefs to come out and unite for a very Christmassy peaceful protest with a few carols thrown in for good measure.
The first protest in November saw a huge crowd of all backgrounds - young, old, families, kids, students even the family pet - brave the weather and were reported to number around 3,000 for the march around the town with the main square packed for the speakers, music and a large amount of Cavan craic. It was the biggest demonstration of public discontent the town has seen for decades.
The groups have been recently hosting fundraisers to make the cost for those travelling to Dublin for the national protest on December 10 a bit easier and 100 per cent of the funds raised go to transport costs.
A successful benefit night was also held in McGinnity’s Bar, Cavan Town, where a packed house was entertained by local acts Sema Deegan, David Barry, Aine Cahill, The Basskillers and playwright Philip Doherty all performed, with the prolific Doherty performing a very well-received piece, inspired by the anti-water tax campaign.

Blown away
Co-organiser and Redhills man Emmett Smith of Cavan Says No described the first rally as an “absolute result for public discourse” and is urging even more people to turn out this time around.
“On November 1, the people of Cavan joined together in their thousands. They came out in the rain to call for the scrapping of Irish Water. The sheer size of the demonstration was a surprise to many, including the organisers. We were blown away by the turn-out,” he told the Celt. “The event brought together an awe-inspiring range of people. We had people of all ages - children to grandparents. There were people from rural areas marching with their counterparts from the towns. Irish people joined by the people that had come to live here from other countries. The sense of camaraderie was unforgettable.
“Since then, the government has decided they have finished listening to the people on the matter. But we have not finished pushing our message. We want these charges scrapped. We will not be bought off by the hundred euro conservation grant. Thirty pieces of silver, to sell the children of this country into water poverty in the future - no way!

Stand united
“Cavan anti-water tax campaign campaigners have organised buses to Dublin for the Right2Water People’s Assembly. This family-friendly event will take place outside Dail Eireann at 1pm on Wednesday December 10, International Human Rights Day.
“On the day, people from all over Ireland will stand united to demand the total abolition of water charges, and a guarantee that our public water supply will never be privatised. 
“The government’s concessions are not enough; if we accept charges now they will inevitably rise in the future, just as bin charges have. Water is not a commodity, it is a human right. Our water is not for sale.
“On Saturday, December 6, there will also be another protest march in Cavan town for those who can’t go to Dublin. People power has already achieved a lot. We need to keep it up. People will gather at Argos and in the post office square from 1.30pm. The demonstration will take the same route as last time and will be a family-friendly event with entertainment on the day.

Government spin
“There is a growing feeling throughout the county that this campaign is far from over. People are contacting us from all over Cavan wondering how they can get involved, and what can be done locally to finally and completely defeat these hated water charges.
“Groups are getting together in many towns and villages. People are also now well aware that the option of privatization of the our water supply still remains open. They have seen through the government spin,” he said.
Fellow organiser John Walsh of Right 2 Water Cavan said: “150,000 people marched on two separate occasions recently, not for concessions but for the complete abolition of water charges. The governments desperate u-turn last week just shows yet again how completely out of touch they really are with how people feel on this issue.
“People have also seen through the bias and spin of the tabloids and Independent newspapers, and their recent attempts to demonise protesters. To judge by the reaction in organising groups online, those involved all over the country are more determined than ever to defeat metering and charges, and tens of thousands are expected in Dublin on December 10.”
For more information check Cavan Says No and Right 2 Water Cavan Facebook pages and to book a bus seat, contact Right2Water Cavan on 083 174 6572 or Cavan Says No on 085 781 9559.