National Youth Organisation protest
The protest for youth voice in Dublins city centre and its success story.
On Wednesday, August 13th, Ireland’s young people showed Dublin city centre they have a voice and they knew how to use it!
The crowd listened to a speech from National Youth Organisation (NYO) Chairman, Aidan McGrath, to welcome those who came to fight for a better youth voice. People responded with loud cheers that reverberated throughout the Garden of Remembrance. Members from Socialist Youth and other Youth political bodies joined the protest, to show that Ireland’s young people really do share the same issues.
The protest left the Garden of Remembrance at 2 p.m. with a group of teens shouting to chants, looking for a better say for youth.
The protest continued along O’Connell Street, with it, shouting teenagers and an extremely loud megaphone. With large pickets waving frantically in the air and voices shouting as loud as they could, protestors told Dublin’s city centre, now stopping to look and to listen, what they were fighting for.
Continuing across O’Connell Bridge, shouting, ‘We Deserve, To Be Heard’ the protestors were reaching the end of their march. They then arrived at their final stop, the buildings of the Department of Health and Children.
The sounds echoed in the street as the protestors screamed louder and louder, gaining much attention from curious Civil Servants. Protestors hollered for what they want and what they believe in. The protestors called on representatives of the Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, who was absent from office.
Two senior Civil Servants spoke to the leading members of the NYO, Chairman Aidan McGrath and Vice Chair, Andrew Smith, about what exactly they were protesting for.
After discussing these matters, the crowd were told that Barry Andrews, once informed, would arrange a meeting with the NYO.
Now the NYO leaders are preparing for a meeting which they hope to have a date set for as soon as possible. Organisations such as the Socialist Party and the Union of Secondary School Students Ireland, want to talk to the NYO on issues they want to be brought up in the forthcoming meeting with Minister Andrews.
There is a bright future lying ahead for Ireland’s young people and their involvement in Government. The National Youth Organisation is fighting for what is deserved: a better, louder say, that is listened to.
If you want to become a member of a radical youth organisation, which is fighting for what is right, and deserved, and you feel you are passionate about the same things we are, send your contact details to nyo@live.ie
You can also add our Bebo page, www.bebo.com/NationalYouthOrg.
Many thanks to all involved in the protest and thank you to those who are going to be part of the future, and the changing of Irish history.
By: Andrew Smith
Links to the protest:
Audio/ Video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0G_toOQUCc
Newspaper:
www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0813/1218477454222.html
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