by Alan Jacques
THE We Won’t Pay campaign is gearing up for a day of action in 12 locations tomorrow with community protests taking place in Abbeyfeale, Croom, Newcastle West and right across the city.
Anti Austerity Alliance councillor Cian Prendiville, one of the organisers of this Saturday’s protests, commented, “Given the massive movement that has emerged in the last 12 months, a huge opportunity exists to defeat the water charges.”
He continued: “However, victory is not guaranteed. The Government is hoping that its concessions and a media offensive will convince people on the fence to pay. Therefore, the essential tactic in the next three months will be the organising of a mass campaign of non-payment. If a large percentage of people refuse to pay, then it will create a massive crisis for Irish Water and the Government.”
According to Cllr Prendiville, the next phase of the fight against water charges calls for organising the highest possible level of non-payment.
“Lets make this Saturday a major day of action. People should be aware that there are no penalties for non-payment in the lifetime of this government. They can’t take it out of your wages, or cut down your water pressure. There aren’t even surcharges for late payment til July 2016 – that’s after the next general election. That means people can safely boycott these bills, make this the key issue in the upcoming general election and force this or the next government to abolish the charge. We know people are worried, but at the very least people should hold off on paying until after the general election. Mass, organised non payment beat water charges before, and we can do it again,” he concluded.
Actions will be taking place from 1pm to 3pm this Saturday in:
- Penney’s in city centre
- Ivan’s Crossroads
- Hassetts Cross
- Watchhouse Cross (meet by Eurospar)
- Grove Island (meet by Superquinn)
- King’s Island roundabout (meet at King’s Island Medical Centre)
- Dooradoyle: (Meet at Highway Bar)
- Ballinacurra Weston (meet at Lidl on Childers Road)
- Parkway Shopping Centre (meet by Burger King)
- Roxboro Shopping Centre (meet at Tesco entrance)
- Croom (meet at post office)
- NCW (meet in the square)
