Arm in arm, activists stand together at high noon
“There are two things we need you to do. We need you to stand with us, put your arms together, linking arms around this building to send a clear image to the court, the receivers, to Simon Coveney, to Dublin City Council, that we are standing together.
“Then we need everybody who is willing to be on an anti-eviction list to come down here and protect Apollo House and everything it stands for.”
That was what housing activist Rosi Leonard told the hundreds of people gathered at Apollo House yesterday.
Crowds had gathered from 11am but she waited until noon to speak.
The Home Sweet Home campaign, which is behind the occupation of Apollo House and comprises trade union activists and the Irish Housing Network, was given until midday yesterday to evacuate homeless people from the building.
While a demonstration took place at Apollo House, others from the campaign were down in the courts seeking an extension to remain in the building until suitable accommodation was found for its remaining residents.
They were denied such an extension and Leonard took to the microphone.
“So we are going to defy this court order. We are staying here for ourselves, for our communities, for our families, for everyone we know who is affected by this crisis because they can’t treat us like fools anymore.”
Eileen Flynn took to the microphone next.
“I’ve been doing a little bit of voluntary work here for the last few days. I’ve met people who come from all walks of Ireland, the most vulnerable people in our society. It’s always the most vulnerable: the Travellers, migrants, people with disabilities,” she said.
As a human chain began to form its way around the perimeter of Apollo House a pantomime of sorts was taking place on the surrounding streets.
There was a man dressed as a vulture, one wearing a suit with glasses covered in euro signs, and yet another carrying a baby doll.
“I need a home for me child. They’re leaving me baby homeless, what am I meant to do?” shouted the man with the doll.
“Profits. Profits. Profits,” replied the suited male.
“Your home sweet homes are all mine. Give me your homes,” roared the vulture.
In the end, the crowd gathered around and captured both the vulture and the banker in a length of rope.
