Scuffle Breaks Out at Cork Solidarity Rally Amidst LGBT+ Reading Material Tensions
A scuffle erupted at a solidarity rally in Cork, Ireland, as tensions flared over the availability of LGBT+ reading material. The incident occurred outside the city’s main public library, where approximately 300 people gathered for a counter rally against the nationalist Cork Says No event. Police intervened and made one arrest under the public order act.
Earlier in the day, around 100 individuals attended the nationalist rally near the national monument. Despite concerns of potential disruptions, the library remained open and operated normally throughout the day.
The solidarity rally participants had gathered outside the library entrance since before lunchtime to counter the Cork Says No event, which was scheduled to take place at 2 pm. GardaÃ, the Irish police force, maintained a visible presence on the street, with at least 20 uniformed officers ensuring the two groups remained separate. Plainclothes officers were also present in the area.
During the counter rally, politicians such as Thomas Gould of Sinn Féin and Ted Tynan of the Worker’s Party addressed the crowd. Attendees waved rainbow flags and chanted slogans in support of LGBTQ+ rights. The diverse range of speakers touched on various topics, including immigration, gender ideology, housing, and what they perceive as government and media betrayal.
Derek Blighe, one of the rally’s organizers, emphasized that the event was not anti-librarian and predicted that the media would focus on the perception of rainbow rangers fighting against the opposition. Blighe claimed that Cork Says No has always focused on illegal mass uncontrolled inwards migration and accused the police and government of facilitating this migration, with over 650 people arriving in the country each week for welfare purposes. In contrast, he argued that Irish citizens were facing homelessness, evictions, and unaffordable housing.
The scuffle that led to the arrest occurred during Blighe’s speech when a man in a wheelchair attempted to disrupt the event by blowing an airhorn. Several people, some draped in tricolours, rushed toward him, and a participant snatched the airhorn from his hands, throwing part of it across the street. Police quickly intervened and made an arrest.
Library staff confirmed that the library operated as usual and experienced higher-than-normal attendance. Audrey Mac Cready, Katherine Mezzacappa, and Conor McAnally, all members of the Irish Writers Union, traveled to Cork to join the counter protest. Mac Cready, a former librarian, expressed her solidarity with librarians and her passion for supporting inclusive communities. Mezzacappa criticized attempts by participants in the Cork Says No rally to link homosexuality with pedophilia, emphasizing that libraries provide essential access to information in the digital age.
McAnally, the union’s secretary, voiced concerns about the rise of far-right ideologies and pointed out the potential dangers of limiting access to information. Drawing on his experiences living in the United States and Ireland, he warned against the progression of far-right hatred and the erosion of democracy. He stressed the importance of defending LGBTQ+ rights and preserving freedom of information.
In conclusion, the scuffle at the Cork solidarity rally underscored tensions surrounding the availability of LGBT+ reading material. The clash occurred during a day that saw both nationalist and solidarity rallies taking place in Cork. The library remained open throughout the events and operated normally. While the opposing rally focused on concerns around immigration, gender ideology, and housing, the solidarity rally emphasized inclusivity, equal rights, and the importance of accessible libraries.
