éirígí Councillor Louise Minihan condemns Dublin City Council Censorship

The socialist republican party éirígí have accused Dublin City Council of political censorship in advance of the upcoming state visits by Elizabeth Windsor and Barack Obama.

The party were responding to the revelation today that Dublin City Council have imposed an unprecedented blanket ban on the erection of posters in the entirety of Dublin City from May 15th to May 25th.

éirígí Dublin City Councillor Louise Minihan said the decision is outrageous and must be reversed immediately.

Cllr Minihan said:  “This is an outrageous attack on the right to freedom of political expression, the right to organise politically and the right to assembly.  It is a politically motivated decision with far reaching
consequences for a wide variety of individuals and organisations who rely on postering to advertise their activities.  Trade unions and community groups are amongst those who, alongside political organisations, will be hit by this blanket ban.”

“This dictat is a politically motivated decision introduced with the specific intention to hinder the organisation of protests against the Windsor and Obama visits later this month.  No such political censorship was imposed by the council during state visits by other country's leaders including the most recent visit by Monaco's Head of State.”

Cllr Minihan concluded:  “I am now calling on all Dublin City Councillors to publicly declare their position on this attempt to stifle legitimate political activity in Dublin city.  I would also urge the Trade Union movement, community groups and all those who support the right to freedom of expression and the right to protest to resist this blatant attempt at political censorship by the City Council and demand its immediate reversal.”