Cork librarian support rally hears pledges to stand against racism, homophobia and transphobia

Honore Kamegni, Cllr Colette Finn and Louise Jordan of The Green Party attending the rally. Cork Says NO to Racism rally in support of library workers at Cork City Library, Grand Parade Cork on Saturday. Picture Larry Cummins

A rally in Cork in support of library workers has heard pledges to stand up against homophobia, racism, and transphobia following targeting of material in libraries across the country.

The event on Saturday took place outside the Cork City Library on Grand Parade and was attended by up to 100 people. It was organised by the Cork Says No to Racism umbrella group.

The spate of library invasions in recent months over the availability of certain LGBT+ reading material included a number of incidents at the Cork library.

Cllr Ted Tynan of the Workers Party with Helen Louise Murphy and Juri Hertel attending the rally. Cork Says No to Racism rally in support of library workers at Cork City Library, Grand Parade Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins 

'Appalling abuse'

Among those speaking was Matthew Morrissey of Cork Alt Pride.

He said that those behind the library incidents “want me to go back into my closet”.

He later told the Irish Examiner: “Library workers and booksellers are hated for promoting inclusivity. It is appalling that they have to put up with abuse for simply saying that they are ok with people just living their lives.” 

One of the organisers, Joe Moore, said a rise in the “far right” was seen during the covid pandemic in opposition to Covid restrictions. But he said that in the past 12 months, the attention had been turned to “asylum seekers, migrants, people of colour, trans people, queer people, women.” Also among those who attended the gathering was Arthur Leahy of the Cork Gay Men’s Project. He said there was a huge celebration following the Marriage Equality referendum but the same political impetus which drove the successful campaign is needed now to push back against homophobia.

He added: 

“This is not something we would have expected. There was a huge celebration and a sense of relief after the marriage equality campaign.” 

People before Profit party member Shane Laird said that people had gathered to “celebrate and support our library” because “our library and libraries across the country have come under attack by a fascist movement”.

Crowds attending the rally. Cork Says No to Racism rally in support of library workers at Cork City Library, Grand Parade Cork. Picture:  Larry Cummins 

Books create empathy

“This is the movement that dragged a gallows to the Dáil. A movement that has attacked refugees.” He said that “books have always been by far the most effective way of immersing people in different world views, the best way of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.” 

He added: 

“What better way of creating empathy exists than a book written from a perspective other than your own. How can anyone maintain their hatred of the LGBT community after learning of their experiences and struggles in their own words? Walking a mile in their shoes, as it were.”

 

Shane Laird of People Before Profit speaking at the rally.  Picture:  Larry Cummins 

People Before Profit – Solidarity TD Mick Barry questioned where was the “outrage and disgust” evident when demonstrators gathered outside Leinster House on September 20, when demonstrations took place at libraries.