It’s 6 pm on Thursday, the 6th of June. Crowds block the conjunction of Parnell Square. Hand painted signs are amidst the crowd. At the gates of the Garden of Remembrance, a 6 metre snarling, nappy-wearing orange baby Trump blimp bobs over the crowd. Ireland welcomes the Trump baby to its first visit to the Green Isle.
Uplift members were there at the ready. Hundreds of members chipped in, covering the costs of getting the Trump baby to Dublin and in the air in time for the protests. On the ground help was provided by Uplift member Tasha, who traveled to London to bring the Blimp to Irish soil. Ruby captured the live footage of the rally and fifteen Uplift members volunteered to babysit the baby Trump on day. Thousands of us showed up the protest in Dublin and shared actions on social media.
The protest itself was organised by a coalition of organisations from key areas such as the environment, women’s rights, tackling racism, students, civil liberties, anti-war and trans rights. As one, we brought together a crowd of thousands from all walks of life, demonstrating the power of collective action and people. Knowing the world was watching, together the crowd sent a clear message that our community cares about democracy and stands against Trump’s regressive politics.
The protest itself was organised by a coalition of organisations from key areas such as the environment, women’s rights, tackling racism, students, civil liberties, anti-war and trans rights. As one, we brought together a crowd of thousands from all walks of life, demonstrating the power of collective action and people. Knowing the world was watching, together the crowd sent a clear message that our community cares about democracy and stands against Trump’s regressive politics.
The Trump baby blimp was a fun symbol for serious work, which utilised satire and humor to bolster the spirit of folks who are otherwise fall victim to Trump’s hate filled agenda. The travelling blimp has become synonymous with resistance, it’s the new shoe throw, the new an egg to the head, it’s the new milkshake. It intends to make him feel unwelcome, but more it draws a parallel to the millions of people he has made to feel unwelcome with his policies; in their homes, in their communities, in their own skins.
By flying the blimp on Irish soil, we stood in solidarity with the millions of people fighting in the US and globally who are affected by his politics of hate and division. In turn, we stood unity in the belief that our planet will not be destroyed, trans bodies will not be erased, all children deserve dignity and freedom and no human being is illegal.
More power to us all.
From the Uplift team.
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For more coverage-
Dock Visuals: Watch this one minute video to see what happened
BBC World: Dublin protest over President’s Irish visit
