On Saturday, September 12, members of We Are Church Ireland took part in the “No Welcome for Trump” protest in Dublin City Centre. It was important that We Are Church Ireland show our opposition to the policies of the current US Administration, and in particular the distortion of Christian values that is espoused by that administration.
Here are the reflections of some of those who participated.
Soline Humbert
When the protest was called I immediately envisioned myself bringing my (very) big St Brigid Cross to it, as I have done before. As Colm and myself set out, the first person we met while waiting at the bus stop was a young man who asked to take a photo of the cross and confided he was born on St Brigid’s Day: It was a lovely sign of St Brigid’s presence and blessing! Later I was delighted when I heard President Catherine Connolly had given the US President a St Brigid’s Cross: another confirmation the spirit of the matron Saint of Ireland is alive and active and her flame burns brightly.
I was delighted to see other members of WAC, good friends, awaiting in the sunshine which had thankfully come back after the early rain. There was a lovely spirit as we chatted and posed for the media photographers and by- standers, with the WAC banner and the posters Colm had made: Make the World Great 4 All!
I was interviewed and asked about my St Brigid Cross. I said she was a woman of peace who
“turned back the streams of war”, who was known for her hospitality to strangers, her care and generosity to the poor, her vision and actions for the flourishing of the land and all creatures. In short she represents a completely different vision of the world, a life – giving vision as opposed to the necro- politics of the US visitor.
Of course St Brigid was ordained a bishop and also represents the feminine dimension of life which has been subjugated in our patriarchal society and church. While I carried the cross I also wore on my shoulders a colourful stole made by women in Guatemala. With the exclusion of women from ordination I cannot wear the stole in church but the Gospel, the Good News of life and liberation for all cannot be contained or stopped.
Brendan Butler
It was very good to be there on Saturday in solidarity with so many others as we walked down O’ Connell St.
We have the privilege in Ireland of being able to protest, bearing witness to what we believe. I came home feeling blessed by the people I had met. Thank you to WAC for organising the protest.
There was a great sense of camaraderie at the protest march against Trump and his policies.
It was fitting that We Are Church Ireland be present on the streets of Dublin as a Christian witness to Gospel values that the Trump administration contradict by word and action.
It was where Jesus of Nazareth would want us to be present as his witnesses walking with him.
Noelle Fitzpatrick
From my perspective it was good to be there. It takes the visual of feet on the street to give a clear message about things in this life that should never be normalised.
As a Christian movement it is good we were there.
What I observed was a lot of negativity in the slogans, some crude. I very much value the freedom of expression, and people communicate in the way that is most meaningful to them.
At the same time, with freedom comes responsibility. How we communicate and protest is not value neutral and either opens or constricts hearts.
In my view demonising a person, even President Trump narrows the vision dangerously. Behind each tyrant is a system and culture that enables and sustains him/her.
It was hopeful to see so many on the streets. It would have been more hopeful still to see more with more placards stating what we are for rather than what or who we are against.