Statement from the Community Group 'Mahon Says No' to Irish Water

national | bin tax / household tax / water tax | press release Friday June 05, 2015 23:16 by 1 of Indymedia

The well respected Mahon Says No anti-water charges group have issued a statement warning that "Right2Water and the Socialist Party both need to take a step back and consider the potential damage their mutual mudslinging will cause, and all in the name of getting their representatives elected

Over the past few days some in the anti-water charge movement have decided to openly air their dirty laundry in equally divisive fashion, both with obvious intentions of drawing the lines for the forthcoming General Election. For this reason the following needs to be clarified from our point of view as an independent non-aligned community group.

- Mahon Says No have always, and unless things drastically change, WILL ALWAYS, campaign, organise and call or a boycott of Irish Water and a non-payment of the water bills.

- We are a non-aligned community group and though we have organised and marched with Right2Water, and will do in the future, we are not under their umbrella. As is the case with most community groups in the country, which is where most of the opposition and activism against Irish Water has stemmed from. Not well-funded umbrella groups with stated electoral ambitions.

- Since our very first meetings we have collectively agreed that the best way to defeat the water charges will be through non-payment and resisting meter installations. We have marched in marches organised by Right2Water, the We Won't Pay Campaign/Socialist Party, An Comhdháil Phobail/People's Convention and we were also central in organising a march under the banner of Cork Says No. It has always been our position to support all groups resisting the water charges but to remain independent and to not be dictated by others.

As has happened many times before in many other campaigns, self-interest and upcoming elections are threatening to divide the anti-water charge movement which will serve no good for the masses and only further copper fasten the power of the ruling class. Right2Water and the Socialist Party both need to take a step back and consider the potential damage their mutual mudslinging will cause, and all in the name of getting their representatives elected. Ní neart go chur le chéile a chairde, fan aontaithe agus fan san troid!!

About Mahon Says No.
MAHON SAYS NO - to water tax - to austerity - to attacks on living conditions of ordinary people to protect the lifestyles of the wealthy and powerful.