Mayo people living with a disability and their families will march to Leinster House in Dublin from the Central Bank, College Green, on November 21 to say in one loud voice “We demand rights, not charity” and to call on the Government to implement disability promises made in the 2011 Programme for Government.
Organisers have asked that organisations involved in the Disability Rights Coalition refrain from bringing placards with their organisation names on them as the march is for individuals with disabilities and their families. Participants are also asked not to bring placards or banners highlighting issues associated with a service or organisation.
Organisers explained: “Instead of placards with organisation names, we want people to highlight where they are from. Please bring placards with slogans like ‘Ballinasloe says Nothing About Us Without Us’, or ‘Cork says Rights Not Charity’. Please use red card or placards for these banners – we want to send a strong message that we are giving Government a red card. If everyone uses red, then this will be a great visual message.”
Political party posters are also banned from the march.
“This march is about promoting people’s individual rights. The Disability Rights Coalition are facilitating this protest by sending out information, but we want it to be about individuals with disabilities and their families coming together to support each other in demanding greater equality.
“The Programme for Government published in March 2011 contained many keys promises to people with disabilities, including “tackling Ireland’s economic crisis in a way that is fair, balanced, and which recognises the need for social solidarity”. But cuts affecting people with disabilities and their families continue to build up, and people are feeling increasingly isolated and abandoned by this Government.
“This march calls on Government to fully implement disability promises in the 2011 Programme for Government,” organisers have explained.
People should assemble on Wednesday November 21 at 2pm at the Central Bank, College Green, Dublin 2.
Go to www.disabilityrightscoalition.com for more information.
