National Climate March to call on Government to put people before the profits of big polluters

National Climate March to call on Government to put people before the profits of big polluters

A wide variety of civil society organizations, trade unions and community groups are set to take part in the National Climate March in Dublin tomorrow, Saturday, 15th November. 

The march, which is shaping up to be the largest climate demonstration in the country in years, will start in the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin at 1pm and will coincide with a global day of action for climate justice, as the COP30 global climate negotiations continue in Belém, Brazil. Demonstrators will call on the Government to take climate action in a way that reduces inequality, improves peoples’ living and housing standards and puts communities before the profits of big polluters. 

The march is being organised by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition has been endorsed by 59 organisations and groups, including Friends of the Earth, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Trócaire, Oxfam, SIPTU and the National Women’s Council [2, 3]. 

Speaking ahead of the march, Deirdre Duffy, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth said: 

Climate justice means having healthier, connected communities, whose wellbeing and health is prioritised.  The Government’s failure to put people before the profits of big polluters is blocking too many of us from having our basic needs met - from decent quality homes and healthy air to good public transport that runs on time. Data centres are guzzling up energy at a frightening rate. The Government wants to plough ahead with a state-controlled Liquefied Natural Gas terminal, and facilitate a commercial terminal. All of this is a recipe for driving up energy bills for ordinary people, not to mention adding fuel to the fire of climate breakdown. We’re urging people to join the climate march to say ‘no’ to big polluters like these. It’s time to get on the streets to show the Government the future we want to build.”

ENDS

Notes

1. The full schedule for the demonstration on Saturday 15th November is as follows:

12:30:Climate Prayer Service at Garden of Remembrance entrance

1pm: Gathering at Garden of Remembrance, Dublin 1 for National Climate March

1pm: Singing for Change group gathering at Accessibility point opposite the gates of Trinity College.

1:15-1:20pm: March down O'Connell Street, D'Olier Street, Nassau Street, Dawson Street and then left onto Molesworth Street for the rally.

2:30pm: Speeches block 1 at Molesworth Street

3pm: Music- Danny Groenland and accompanying musicians at Molesworth Street

3:20pm: Second block of speakers at Molesworth Street

2.The march is being organised by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition and is being supported by trade unions, student groups and local community organisations. The full list of the 59 organisations and groups who have endorsed the march is as follows: Trócaire, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, Christian Aid, ActionAid, Concern Worldwide, National Women’s Council, Community Work Ireland, Centre for Environmental Justice, Community Law and Mediation, AMLÉ- Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, The Useless Project, Climate Craic CIC, Eco Justice Ireland, Rural Ireland Organisation, People Before Profit, Not Here Not Anywhere, Children’s Rights Over Flights, Extinction Rebellion Ireland, Friends of the Irish Environment, STAND, Animal Rebellion, Climate Justice Coalition Ireland, Save Lough Neagh, Afri (Action from Ireland), Black and Irish, Bat Conservation Ireland, Centre for Environmental Living & Training (CELT), BirdWatch Ireland, Global Action Plan, Irish Cycling Campaign, Green Party / Comhaontas Glas, Dublin City Interfaith Forum, SIPTU, Laudato Si Movement, An Taisce, Feasta, Parents for Future Ireland, Environmental Pillar, Le Chéile, TCD Environmental Society, Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, Slí Eile,Climate Justice Universities Union, TCD SU, Go Dance for Change, ICTU, The Liberties Community Project, Social Justice Ireland, Financial Justice Ireland, CATU, Dublin Council of Trade Unions, Full Circle Change, CBM Ireland, Children’s Rights Alliance, Boh’s Cooperative-The Spark, United Against Racism and Síolta Chroí. 

3. Speakers at the march and rally will include Katie Morgan, Vice President, Fórsa, activist and campaigner Ailbhe Smyth, Faten Sourani, Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate, Jorge Moran from the Latin America Solidarity Centre, Sadhbh O'Neill from the Irish Women’s Council, Eugenia Rodríguez Navarro, México Mine Resistance Activist and Thomas Morelli, Stop Shannon LNG Coalition. Musicians at the march will include the activist singing group “Singing for Change” and musician Danny Groenland with accompanying artists.