Protest held at US Embassy's July 4 celebrations boycotted by Opposition TDs
Around 2,500 guests across the fields of politics, business, culture, sport, and media were invited to the July 4 celebrations, which marked the 249th anniversary of US independence.
People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger was among those who attended a protest outside the gates of the Phoenix Park residence of the new US ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh.
She said it was important for Mr Walsh, as a representative of the US government, to see it was 'completely unacceptable' to celebrate July 4 while the US supports Israel's actions in Gaza.
'It is very important that there were visible signs that the vast majority of Irish people are absolutely sickened by what's going on in Gaza and they want it to stop.'
Protesters waved Irish and Palestinian flags and called on guests to 'walk away' from the event as they chanted 'shame, shame, shame on you' and 'free Palestine'.
'We call on the diners tonight to turn around. Don't accept the free meal. Make a stand and turn away,' they shouted.
Some protesters shouted at guests as they exited cars or entered the grounds, calling on them to 'show some solidarity' and re-consider their invitation.
'We have to be here. All these people are going for dinner, we have to be here to stand against all the wrong that is being done in the world,' said one protestor, Laura.
Another, Elise, said pro-Palestinian supporters have tried 'sending emails and letters, but using your voice in public, we might get heard'.
'To make people feel some emotion and hopefully change their mind.'
Tánaiste Simon Harris addressed the celebrations at the Deerfield Residence, while Mr Walsh, who presented his credentials to President Michael D Higgins on Tuesday, said he looked forward to 'building lasting relationships' during his term.
'I stand before you as a businessman, a family man, and someone who deeply values the ties that bind communities together, from the boardroom to the golf course,' said Mr Walsh.
'As the new US Ambassador to Ireland, I look forward to building lasting relationships, communicating openly, and embracing all that brings our peoples together.'
Attendees are given classic American foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, bourbon and beer, while the entertainment included performances by Una Healy and and Michael Flatley, who performed a tune on his flute.
The evening ended with a fireworks display set to songs favoured by Mr Trump, including 'America the Beautiful' and 'YMCA'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Donald Trump criticised for using antisemitic slur to describe money lenders
Michelle Price ©Press Association President Donald Trump has claimed he did not know the term 'shylock' is considered antisemitic when he used it in a speech to describe unscrupulous money lenders. Mr Trump told reporters early on Friday after returning from an event in Iowa that he had 'never heard it that way' and 'never heard that' the term was considered an offensive stereotype about Jews.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Why does Ireland's presidential race still have no one at the starting line?
Jack Horgan-Jones and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: The drive to inject some impetus into the Irish presidential race has not yielded anything of note just yet with the starter pistol not expected to sound until Fianna Fáil , Fine Gael and Sinn Féin nominate their candidates. The Coalition remains divided over Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless's recent assertion that the student contribution could increase by as much as €1,000 next year for third-level students . The pause on Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs is almost up – is there a plan in place to keep Ireland's pain to a minimum ? Plus, the panel picks their favourite Irish Times pieces of the week: The puffins of Rathlin Island , the digital revolution that didn't turn out as expected, and how the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez destroyed quiet luxury.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Young Europeans losing faith in democracy, poll finds
Only half of young people in France and Spain believe that democracy is the best form of government, with support even lower among their Polish counterparts, a study has found. A majority from Europe's generation Z — 57% — prefer democracy to any other form of government. Rates of support varied significantly, however, reaching just 48% in Poland and only about 51-52% in Spain and France, with Germany highest at 71%. More than one in five — 21% — would favour authoritarian rule under certain, unspecified circumstances. This was highest in Italy at 24% and lowest in Germany with 15%. In France, Spain and Poland the figure was 23%. Nearly one in 10 across the nations said they did not care whether their government was democratic or not, while another 14% did not know or did not answer. Thorsten Faas, a political scientist at Berlin's Free University, who worked on the study, said: 'Among people who see themselves as politically to the right of centre and feel economically disadvantaged, their support of democracy sinks to just one in three. 'Democracy is under pressure, from within and without.' The study was carried out in April and May. More than 6,700 people between the ages of 16 and 26 in Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Poland responded to the ninth annual survey by the YouGov institute for the Tui Foundation, which funds projects dedicated to youth in Europe. Forty-eight per cent worry that the democratic system in their own country is endangered, including 61% in Germany, where the economy — Europe's biggest — is ailing and the far right has made significant inroads, fuelled in part by increased backing from young voters. The return of Donald Trump to the White House, the rise of China, and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine have shifted power away from Europe in the respondents' perception, with just 42% counting the EU among the top three global players. Despite — or perhaps because of — Brexit, the figure was highest among Britons at 50%. Of those surveyed in the UK, 73% wanted a return to the EU, while nearly half of young Europeans (47%) sought stronger ties between the EU and Britain. The US was seen by 83% as part of the power trio, followed by China with 75% and Russia on 57%. Rising polarisation is also driving young Europeans to the ideological fringes along with their elders, but a notable gender divide has emerged in the process. Nearly one in five — 19% — described themselves as politically right of centre, up from 14% in 2021, while 33% called themselves centrists, 32% as leftist and 16% without any designation. Women in Germany, France and Italy identified as progressive in higher numbers than four years ago, while young men in Poland and Greece have grown more conservative in the same period. Support for tougher restrictions on migration has grown across the board since 2021, to 38% from 26%. Most young Europeans expressed hope in the EU's potential, and two in three overwhelmingly supported their country remaining in the bloc if it still was. But 39% described the EU as not particularly democratic and just 6% said their own national governments worked well, with little need for significant changes. More than half — 53% — felt the EU was too focused on details and trivial matters. They would like the bloc to tackle the high cost of living, bolster defence against external threats and create better conditions for companies to improve the economy. Elke Hlawatschek, the head of the Tui Foundation, said: 'The European project, which has brought us peace, freedom of movement and economic progress for decades, is seen as unwieldy.' Greek people see the strongest need for fundamental overhaul of their political system and are most sceptical about the EU, which Faas described as rooted in enduring trauma of the eurozone debt crisis that drove their country's economy to the brink. Despite stronger support for climate protection among young Europeans, just one in three said it should take priority over economic growth. The figure has slipped from 44% in 2021.
