A Donegal intercultural organisation has slammed what it describes as “racism and hate speech” by one of the county’s election candidates.
The Donegal Intercultural Platform has stopped short of naming the male candidate but does accuse him of using “ignorance, scare-mongering and lies to create fear and spread anti-‘foreigner’ and anti-migrant hysteria”.
“It is deplorable that the election has afforded him the opportunity to spread appalling and discriminatory lies over the airways and through letterboxes,” said a spokesperson for the Intercultural Platform.
“The Intercultural Platform and its sister organisation Donegal Travellers Project organised a petition of almost 2,000 signatures in one day supporting the Love Not Hate campaign organised by INAR Ireland nationally that called for real Hate Speech and Hate Crime legislation in Ireland. This wonderful response reflects the real openness and respect that people in this county have for people who have come to Donegal and made it their home.
“Just as Irish people did when they emigrated to other countries, the people who have come to this country have added greatly to the communities that they have settled in. Wherever possible, they have helped to develop those communities, taken part in important community initiatives, started new businesses, shared their music and dance, joined sports and cultural organisations, become involved in politics, joined voluntary and charitable organisations, and worked hard to contribute and become valued members of the community.
“As Irish people, we understand the sacrifice involved in leaving one’s native country and moving to a new culture. And, we understand the difference it makes to welcome anyone who has had to make that sacrifice.”
Encouraging voters to turn their backs on the “dehumanising attitudes” of the individual, the Intercultural Platform adds, “One candidate has criticised doctors and other skilled workers for ‘taking our jobs’ a patent lie with thousands of unfilled posts in the health services and the building industry stating that it needs at least another 35,000 workers to meet industry demands. We are much bigger than the dangerous narrow negative world of at least of one candidate in this election.
“We call on Donegal voters to reject this de-humanising attitude and use your vote to say yes to Love Not Hate and yes to an inclusive and respectful society that has a place for all its members irrespective of class, creed, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity.”
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