The distressing scenes recently of children separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border, the European response to the migrant crisis, and questions about Ireland's Direct Provision system, have raised serious questions around racism, borders, and political responses.
A public meeting, Beyond Borders: The Fight Against Racism and For Refugee Rights, will examine these issues. It takes place this evening at 7.30pm in the Teach Solais LGBT+ Resource Centre, Merchants Road.
The meeting is organised by People Before Profit, and will be addressed by Memet Uludag, United Against Racism convenor, and Joe Loughnane, People Before Profit candidate for Galway West and Galway Anti Racism Network convenor.
"We see both sides in Galway," said Mr Loughnane. "The massive outpouring of support for asylum seekers living in Direct Provision, on one side, but unfortunately we also see the work of some isolated individuals pushing a racist message with their stickering and graffiti - including defacing posters for this event. This is minor, but needs to be challenged with a message of solidarity. The solution to our housing and health crises is not divide and rule, it's not either supporting refugees or supporting the homeless, nothing is either/or. It's caring for both."
