Why we're marching for Diversity not Division this Saturday

The climate movement would be nothing without diversity.

In the global North we owe so much to climate justice activists from across the global South. They’ve been fighting the climate crisis and its root causes for decades. Teaching us so much about the real causes of climate breakdown - and its solutions. From Colombia to Nigeria, communities in the global South have put so much on the line - including their very lives - to oppose corporations that are hellbent on extracting fossil fuels for export to rich countries like Ireland. 

But the diversity we cherish is under threat. Far right groups are attempting to stir up hatred and division in Ireland. Terrifying vulnerable asylum seekers - who have already been through so much -  as they protest outside their temporary accommodation. It’s crucial that the climate movement doesn’t stay silent on this issue. We need to be loud and clear in our message of solidarity and support for migrants and refugees.

There can be no climate justice without migrant justice. That’s why Friends of the Earth is joining the Ireland for All “Diversity not Division” march this Saturday, 18th February.

We’ll be meeting up as a group outside the Hugh Lane gallery in Dublin from 1pm. We’d love you to meet us there too! We’ll then join the main march which starts in Parnell Square at 1.30pm.

Live outside Dublin? There are buses being organised across Ireland by various groups and individuals. Tweets or posts that have highlighted these travel options are here: Cork bus, Sligo bus, Mayo bus, Galway bus and a Drogheda group travelling together here. If other buses are organised they may be advertised on the Le Chéile Twitter feed here.

Friends of the Earth will be marching with Coalition 2030, an alliance of civil society organisations committed to upholding Ireland’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Other coalition members attending the march include the Environmental Pillar, Aontas, the Irish Development Education Association and the National Women’s Council.

We really hope you can join us too - we’ll have plenty of Friends of the Earth flags and banners making it easy for you to spot us. 

The Government’s failure to address economic inequality and crises in housing, healthcare and social provision has created conditions in which the far-right can grow. And as the climate crisis accelerates there is a very real risk that the far right will use it too to stoke fears about mass migration and nudge governments towards evermore racist, anti-migrant policies. 

Eco-facism is unfortunately a real thing which the climate movement cannot afford to ignore. It’s crucial that we bring justice, compassion and a firm commitment to upholding the dignity of all human beings into our climate work. It’s not enough to sit on the fence, we must be actively anti-racist. We need to be intersectional in our campaigning - seeking to tackle the shared root causes of climate breakdown, inequality and injustice together. To see them as interconnected, not standalone, issues.  

The unity of working people, the marginalised and oppressed, regardless of colour, creed, gender, cultural background or sexual orientation is the key to achieving a better future for all and tackling the climate and cost of living crises. Together, we are always stronger. 

So will you join us on Saturday as we celebrate diversity and sow the seeds of unity not division?

We hope to see you there.