It has come to public attention over the last number of days that mass gatherings are being organised for Gorey town and Wexford town on Monday the 8th of June.

The events are being organised by a group called ”Blacklivesmatterwexford”, who have been active on social media over the last few days promoting the demonstrations.

These Co.Wexford protests have been officially approved by ‘Anti-Racism Ireland’. The organisers claim that the protest will be a sit down protest and social distancing guidelines will be adhered to.

The group have chosen the date of June 8th because on that day people will be allowed to travel up to 20km’s from their homes.

However it is important to remind people that social gatherings of more than 4 people are ILLEGAL (with the exception of funerals. In fact, mass outdoor gatherings will only be permitted in phase 5 (August 10th) according to the government’s roadmap for re-openinh society.

Leaving aside the fact that these protests are illegal, Co.Wexford has one of the lowest levels of COVID-19 cases in the country, and no doubt any reasonably sensible person would like to see this remain.

Furthermore, the benefits to be gained from such protests are not enough to justify the potential risks of it. It is likely that these events will achieve little other than the increased likelihood of helping to spread the virus more quickly.

We sought reaction from some of our local elected representatives in relation to the event:

Gorey District Chairman Joe Sullivan said:

“We must adhere to the HSE guidelines in relation to any gathering of people, and at this moment in time mass gatherings are prohibited. I would ask the organisers to consider their position in relation to this event. Of course we condemn racism in all of its forms, all over the world, but from a public health point of view, this event should be reconsidered”

Cllr Fionntán Ó’Suilleabháin:

Leo Varadkars endorsement of Dublin’s mass gathering gave license to other groups to follow suit. It was done for populist reasons and to suit a particular woke narrative, even though it contradicted his own health advice. I travelled through the Deep South of the USA last summer and visited the birthplace of the US civil rights movement in Birmingham, Alabama, and heard first hand accounts of racism, so yes, it is an ingrained institutional problem over there. Here in Co.Wexford during this pandemic we can show international solidarity in many ways. I don’t have the medical expertise to say whether we should remain closed or follow Swedens example of an open system. However, we’re either in favour of mass gatherings for all activities or we’re not.

Cllr Diarmuid Devereux:

I’m not surprised people are protesting, it highlights the divisions which exist in some parts of the USA and elsewhere. Many decent minded people may feel the need to protest, but not at the risk of putting our own people at risk of a further outbreak of COVID-19. I would hope the organisers could come up with another way of expressing their views, and I will support them in that. Lots of people have made sacrifices, and we need to listen to the advice of our public health experts.

Cllr Andrew Bolger:

The BlackLivesMatter movement is something that I have been following closely as I am on the US Young Leaders Council in the American Embassy. As a young person who has always been interested in current affairs and history, the Kennedys work on the civil rights movement is something that gripped my attention. I fully support the message of the planned protest, the young leaders will be writing to the US Ambassador about events that have taken place since, the killing of George Floyd. However, due to the global pandemic I don’t believe a mass gathering of people is appropriate during this turbulent times. My suggestion would be to support this movement from our homes such as we did for the front line workers. I am happy to speak with people about this issue.

County Council Chairman Michael Sheehan:

There is great sentiment to these protests, and it is important to communicate our views, but not at the cost of social distancing. It should not proceed under the current COVID-19 regulations. Online protests can be used effectively.

Senator Malcolm Byrne:

“Racism and discrimination have no place in society. It is important to protest to uphold such values but equally, it is essential that everyone follows public health guidelines. I think there is going to be an increasing problem with getting people to accept the health guidelines if they are not seen to be enforced.”

Hopefully the organisers of this event will take on board the well reasoned views of our locally elected representatives and either postpone or cancel these events.