Sickened by recent racist attacks, both in the town and nationally, the Drogheda community group, Drogheda 4 All has called for community groups, trade unions, business owners and most of all the citizens of Drogheda and their representatives to organise a “March For Love” through the town.

Drogheda 4 All want to reclaim the streets from those who sow division and hatred in place of the Irish tradition of diversity and love.

Last Sunday, September 15th, Drogheda 4 All held a smaller ‘Love not Hate’ vigil at which there were calls for the people of Drogheda to stand together against racism and in solidarity with refugees following a spate of racially motivated incidents in the town. The most recent involved an attack on two teenage migrants locally.

At that vigil, various speakers called on elected representatives to speak out against the deliberate scapegoating of those marginalised groups that make up the diverse cultures of our town. It was observed that too often those who perpetrated such attacks parrot the ugly tropes of “Ireland first", "Ireland is full", as if blaming immigrants for the housing crisis and austerity will solve Irelands social issues rather than adding to them.

The demonstration was attended by people from across County Louth and from all communities, including representatives of the LBQT+ community, migrants and working class citizens of the town.

Between speeches there were Poetry readings by mothers, including a rendition of "you don't get to be racist and Irish" by Irish singer/songwriter Imelda May, and "Still I Rise" by world renowned human rights advocate and feminist Maya Angelou.

Speakers talked about the need for housing for all, the importance of class solidarity, and denounced the racist thuggery of recent attacks.

It was noted that the same people who attack libraries, and set fire to buildings, also dishonour the proud traditions of Ireland to the point that they openly stand with loyalist paramilitaries and are funded by well-known celebrities facing trial for human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.

Details of the proposed “March For Love” will be announced in the near future.