Has there eve been a case in Ireland where those protesting are victorious?

Protests often fail to bring the desired result in Ireland, because they rarely have sufficient numbers protesting.

Two protests that were very successful were the PAYE marches in the 80s, and the pensioners protest re: medical cards.

Both protests were very well organised, with the PAYE protest, in particular, bringing large numbers of people onto the streets in every major town.

If enough people protest, it works.
The pensioners could arrange one big rally. Work commitments, etc. would require protests now to be arranged in the same way as the PAYE protests, where people just took a half day off work, and travelled to their nearest large town.

If enough groups get together, from public and private sector unions, farmers groups, the unemployed etc. - then the type of mass protest that would ensue would strike fear into our politicians.

It can be done. But not by scattered, small protests here and there. Solidarity and organisation is the key.

Noreen

jimi_t2 wrote: »

The headshops.

First and probably last time you'll ever see the 32 County Solidarity Movement and the Indignant Mothers Association joining forces under the banner of one Joe Duffy.

Joe Duffy former of the blue rinse brigade.

optogirl wrote: »

What about the Dunnes Stores Strikers - went out on strike for nearly 3 years through all weathers and were subject to dogs abuse - don't think it was much fun for them. They did however achieve sanctions on South African produce and set the ball rolling that led to the end of the apartheid system there.

I wouldn't say the Dunnes workers set the ball rolling there, maybe Mandela had a bigger role Incidentally strange how Dunnes stopped selling South African but increased its amounts of Imports from Zimbabwe from companies located near the South African border.

Overheal wrote: »

You're fcuking right it was, but that was lead by an impassioned American

so was Korea/vietnam/nicaragua/iraq/afganistan....... couldn't see it coming back though.

Bog wrote: »

Johann Hari has an interesting piece on the matter.

LOL, the only fascinating thing about that article was the wordcount.

You don’t know what the amazing ripple-effect of your protest will be – but wouldn’t Britain be a better place if it replaced the ripple of impotent anger so many of us are feeling? Yes, you can sit back and let yourself be ripped off by the bankers and the corporations and their political lackeys if you want. But it’s an indulgent fiction to believe that is all you can do. You can act in your own self-defence. As Margaret Mead, the great democratic campaigner, said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

Poll tax riots/Miner's at al......... fantasy of a teenage mind..... If I met the author I would say grow up. Get up and intigrate. There is no chance to win this battle except to lose and poison it from within.

WillyWaggler wrote: »

Bottom line is that the government should be afraid of the people, like in France, not the people afraid of the government, like in Ireland.

So yes, even if the protest is unsuccessful it's still important because it makes the government more reluctant the next time they want to screw the people over.

But that doesn't make sense, the f French protest petered out and lost momentum. the legislation was passed and the only good thing was a another couple of days of for the surrender monkeys