In response to calls for Occupy Galway to “be removed” from Eyre Square.

In response to calls for Occupy Galway to “be removed” from Eyre Square. I write this in response to Cllrs. Crowe and Conneelly who seem to be very upset by the new face of political dialogue that is taking place in Eyre Square and around the country.

In response to calls for Occupy Galway to “be removed” from Eyre Square. I write this in response to Cllrs. Crowe and Conneelly who seem to be very upset by the new face of political dialogue that is taking place in Eyre Square and around the country.

Cllr. Pairiag Conneelly came to the camp, complete with TV3 camera crew, but instead of engaging in intelligent debate, resorted to verbal abuse of the people there. This of course was not shown by TV3 news.

Micheal Crowe is probably our most vocal opponent, describing himself as” incensed” at our presence in the square. Micheal Crowe has no right to be incensed by members of the public using Eyre Square as a meeting place, as has been happening for hundreds of years. He has even less right to make slanderous accusations at law abiding citizens, by insisting that we are breaking the law. He has raised this issue several times and been told by the Gardai that we are not breaking the law. It’s time that he stopped his persecution of good people who are working (with limited resources) to improve the lot of those who have been failed by corrupt democracy in Ireland.(That’s about 99% of us by the way.)

We will not be shoo’d like insects or small children and we will not be bullied by threats of legal action to stop us from using a public space. We are neither children nor criminals, and we will not be intimidated by the very gombeens that have led the country to the ruin that we see in our communities today.

Far from being a hindrance, Occupy Galway has found its place in the community as a stopping point for people ranging from weary shoppers who want nothing more than a cup of tea and a chat, to people who are disillusioned or enraged by the impossible burdens that have been placed on them by government and society. We have developed a platform for community lectures in everything from philosophy to money management. We have helped to highlight issues like the proposed closure of St. Francis’ Nursing Home. We have highlighted the payment of every unsecured bond and will continue until the bond holder bailout is stopped. We have also raised money for charities such as St. Vincent de Paul and Cope.

Anecdotally, I have been told that the square is safer at night, as there are always a few people on safety duty to protect the campers from the drunken yobs who roam the square. (unchallenged by Mssrs. Crowe and Conneelly I might add.) Often, people will wait in the safety and relative comfort of the camp for friends or family to bring them home.

I have seen positive changes in Eyre Square in the 11 weeks since Occupy Galway started. The most gratifying of these is the increased sense of hope that people have and the affirmation that we can make a difference. Not in the camp, but among the thousands of Occupy supporters in the city and across the country. There is also a great sense of satisfaction in the knowledge that these community building efforts are echoed around the country in Occupy camps in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Letterkenny and other towns around the country.

I am proud to be a part of this process and look forward to a long and constructive continuance of Occupy Galway as it develops into whatever entity it is bound to become.

Gillen Hardesty,