Dublin, Ireland– Dublin city centre was the scene of two major, yet distinct, public demonstrations today, each drawing thousands of participants and highlighting contrasting social and spiritual concerns within the capital. The simultaneous events led to significant gatherings across the north and south sides of the city.
United Against Racism Carnival
The United Against Racism (UAR) rally, also promoted as the ‘Ireland Against Racism Carnival,’ saw several thousand people assemble to voice their opposition to the rise of far-right movements and recent racist attacks, particularly those targeting members of the Indian community.
The demonstration began at the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square and proceeded to Custom House Quay. The protest aimed to be a powerful, united front against division, with activist and former TD BrĂd Smith noting it was a direct response to rising xenophobia.
The rally highlighted the broad-based solidarity movement, with endorsements from over 150 organisations including trade unions, migrant groups, political parties, and community groups. Notably, the march included contingents from the Indian, Ukrainian, and Palestine solidarity communities, underscoring a commitment to diversity and inclusion across various ethnic and political lines.
Annual ‘March for Jesus’
Concurrently, approximately 10,000 people participated in the annual March for Jesus. This large-scale, faith-based procession began its route at Parnell Square (near Charlemont House) and marched south through the city centre, culminating in a gathering at St Stephen’s Green.
The non-denominational Christian event was a collective public display of faith, featuring preaching, music, and prayer. A marcher, identified as Gary Crampton, articulated the event’s purpose: “It’s a good thing just to get the word out there, to get people together in the unity of the Holy Spirit… We want to bring the light to the city,” suggesting a belief that the city is currently experiencing a “dark place.” Organisers promoted the event as a family day out, proclaiming Jesus Christ as “the hope of our generation.”
While both events shared a common starting point in the Parnell Square area, they highlighted the diverse ideological and spiritual landscape of Dublin, with one focused on political and social solidarity against hate, and the other on evangelical faith and renewal. Authorities maintained a visible presence to manage the large crowds and ensure the smooth flow of the two separate marches.
