‘Bridges Not Walls’ demonstrators drop banner on Ha’penny bridge
Dublin activists are gathering in the city centre at the Ha'penny bridge in a united front against discrimination.
Today, Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States of America.
In protest of his infamous notion to build a wall separating Mexico and the US (be it a literal or figurative wall), the Bridges Not Walls organisation was founded, and on Trump's inauguration day the organisation has called an international action to drop banners on bridges in protest.
Bridges Not Walls banner unveiled on the Ha' Penny Bridge in Dublin #loveTrumpshate pic.twitter.com/ZbtW1A3st3
— Maria (@Maria_Shannon) January 20, 2017
"Together, as a part of an international Bridges Not Walls action we will drop banners from bridges across Ireland and Britain to send a message of hope, solidarity, and unity out to our communities, people of the US and across the world on the day Trump takes up his presidency."
The demonstrations are being held across the globe today, and Dublin's Ha'penny bridge is focal point of those participating in the Irish protest.
"We must all actively defend and stand for the rights of all of our sisters, brothers and communities – Muslims, migrants, members of minority ethnic groups, including Travellers, disabled people and LGBTQ+. We will build bridges, not walls, to a peaceful and just world rid of oppression and hatred," says a Bridges Not Walls statement.
.@TheUSI representing as ppl begin to arrive at the Ha'Penny Bridge for the banner drop #lovetrumpshate @ENARIrl pic.twitter.com/96q3lxXSo2
— SWAI Ireland (@SWAIIreland) January 20, 2017
We must all actively defend and stand for the rights of all of our sisters, brothers and communities – Muslims, migrants, members of minority ethnic groups, including Travellers, disabled people and LGBTQ+. We will build bridges, not walls, to a peaceful and just world rid of oppression and hatred," says a Bridges Not Walls statement.
Similar protests are currently being held in London, Paris, Brighton, Portugal and the US.
Paris & @greenpeacefr joins #BridgesNotWalls! Let's challenge Islamophobia, racism, homophobia, & sexism everywhere! https://t.co/UNT2n2ayCW pic.twitter.com/WiF8jdv0RO
— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) January 19, 2017
Hell yeah it does #bridgesnotwalls #queersolidarity pic.twitter.com/6ho6MJyO1X
— Emily Buchanan (@_emilybuchanan) January 20, 2017
However, not everyone agrees with the Bridges Not Walls initiative.
Some Twitter users, both Trump supporters and otherwise, have spoken out against the demonstration's initiative.