Thousands lined the streets at Belfast City Hall on Saturday 12th October, sending a strong message to our government regarding the Public Health Bill Consultation: “We do not consent!”
“The Public Health Bill Consultation is one of the most pressing issues of our time” stated Aontú Deputy Leader Gemma Brolly, “It is vital that we stand up, highlighting the extremely draconian and over-reaching proposals within this consultation and I am delighted to hear already that people-powered pressure is working as party responses are now evolving according to the requests of the people.”
Commenting on the reason for such activism on the issue, Ms Brolly explained, “People feel veryshocked and let down, this document was released for consultation on 5th July and yet it was mid September before we were alerted to it, certainly not by our political parties in government. So many joined the protest on Saturday that had never really took such action before, because they were genuinely so shocked that this could ever happen. Constituents received emails telling them ‘it was only a consultation’, ‘only in draft form’ but many feel this every bit as unacceptable. That those elected to represent and govern would suggest such madness is shocking.
Over two thousand people stood together on Saturday, defending the inalienable rights and freedoms of everyone here. It was a sight for sore eyes! Aontú believe in life, unity and economic justice. We believe in working to uphold the rights and freedoms and better the lives of Protestant, Catholic and dissenter, if ever there was a cause worth fighting within those bounds it is this. It was an absolute honour to speak to the many activists and stand strong with my colleagues on Saturday” reported the representative for East Derry, who also spoke from the perspective of a mother and teacher. Ms Brolly spoke passionately about the serious implications the Bill proposals would have for teachers and principals, charging them with reporting children who would possibly be ‘infectious’ and being fined if they refused to do so. She also spoke as a parent stating “Your job in government is to govern, our job as parents is to parent! Keep your nose out of our house!”
The Aontú Deputy Leader concluded: “Following the protest and huge numbers of people contacting their MLAs, it appears there has been a shift within at least one party so far, a definite refusal of the Public Health Bill Consultation document in it’s current form, claiming it is not fit for purpose. This is down to the work of the people for certain in lobbying these MLAs. It is very positive news, but we await the same shift from others. Most importantly, we must hear unanimous agreement now from the chamber, to scrap this ‘Public Health Bill.”
Críoch
CLANRYE NEWS 