Occupy Galway evicted

Occupy Galway is gone. It was evicted by Gardai at the ungodly hour of 4.30a.m. yesterday morning. The last Occupy camp in Ireland is gone. I knew this yesterday, but I didn't know what to say about it, so I said nothing. Which is not the right response. And is exactly the response those who rule the current version of this country and the current version of this world want most of us to have.


I still don't know what to say. It was good Occupy maintained its presence and made it felt for so long, in so many parts of Ireland, and worldwide. It continues in the projects, the campaigns, the friendships, the energy and determination that grew out of Occupy for hundreds if not thousands of people here, and around the world. In the lessons learned, the things not to do, the things to do better, the things to replicate. The things we got away with, against the odds, the voices that wouldn't be quiet, the activists who wouldn't obey when they were told there was no other way.


I'm sad Occupy Galway is gone. It seemed well-organised, to be doing some interesting things, to have good relationships with the Council and police and most importantly with the people of the city. But now because a major international event will shortly be taking place in the city, the Council and Gardai moved in to forcibly evict the camp, just as they did in Dublin in advance of international attention turning towards it for St. Patrick's Day.


The world wonders why Ireland does not not protest enough, as further iniquities and inequities are heaped upon us almost daily, but signs of dissent are simply evicted, erased, and the pretence continues that we all acquiesce. We haven't forgotten, we won't forget, we don't consent, and though the camps may be gone, we are still here.


Photos from Romantic Ireland: From The Streets.