Mandate members urged to attend Right2Water protest tomorrow

Mandate members are urged to attend the Right2Water National Assembly which takes place tomorrow (Wednesday 10th December 2014) outside Leinster House, Merrion Square, Dublin 2 at 1.00 p.m.

Members are asked to assemble at Mandate Head Office, 9 Cavendish Row, Parnell Square, Dublin 1 at 12 noon or at Merrion Square, Dublin 2 at 1pm.

Mandate policy is to oppose water charges – as determined at our Biennial Delegate Conference in April 2014.

The government’s concessions announced last month are an obvious attempt to dampen the spirits of our protests so it is more important now than ever that we turn out in historic numbers to send a clear message: water is a human right and we want water charges abolished.

It’s also important that we encourage our family, friends and colleagues to attend Wednesday’s protest.

John Douglas, Mandate General Secretary said: “People are fed up with austerity and fed up with successive government’s forcing low and middle income families to pay back the debts of speculators and wealthy bankers. Water charges are the final straw.”

He added: “The concessions from government last month are a clear sign that our protesting is working. Yet still the government has not listened fully. We must make them hear our voices on the 10th of December so please do all you can to attend.”

The National Assembly will take place between 1-4pm. It will be a family friendly, peaceful protest with entertainment including music, spoken word, speeches from politicians and trade unions – including a Mandate member. In attendance will be members of the Detroit Water Brigade who will tell us about how 27,000 low-income households in the United States have had their water switched off in recent years for failing to pay their bills.

The Right2Water campaign comprises trade unions, left leaning political parties, independent representatives and community groups. We believe water should be paid for through general taxation, which is progressive and fair and is based on your ability to pay. Water charges will impact hardest on the lowest paid and the most vulnerable in our society.

You can download a flyer (which can be printed) here.