On Saturday, members of People Before Profit attended a counter-demonstration in Coleraine, County Derry. This was organised by the Causeway Trade Union Council against “Our Northern Ireland Voice” (ONIV).
The demonstration by ONIV was organised by Dan Grundle to oppose migration, wrapping it in disturbingly religious terms. Grundle was previously convicted for three years for loyalist rioting. At that riot he threw a toilet at police, cutting his hand, providing the DNA needed to secure his conviction.
Members of various trade unions from the north attended the counter demonstration in slightly larger numbers than those of the ONIV. Slogans and chants of counter demonstrators focused on workers’ unity and, “refugees are welcome here”.
ONIV slogans were frankly bizarre, focusing on conspiracy theories about Islam and George Soros. Religious flags and banners were also used. One counter-protestor commented it would be difficult to imagine Jesus, who lived as refugee, having such callus views about some of the world’s most vulnerable.
People Before Profit councillor for Derry and Strabane District, Shaun Harkin, addressed the crowd, saying, “elites and the Far Right are united in wanting to keep the working class divided so that Elon Musk, billionaires and corporations can continue to exploit workers, destroy our environment and launch more wars for empire.”
Well done to all who Causeway Trade Union Council and all the counter protestors.