PUBLISHED | 18.01.2024 |
READING TIME | 5 |
Over the last several months, we have seen a resurgence of anti-migrant mobilisations in different parts of the country. What follows is an analysis of current tactics as they compare with tactics used in 2023.
2023 began with marches called by anti-migrant organisers and, in some instances, efforts to intimidate those living in emergency accommodation settings. We now see a bigger focus on more militant tactics, including physical blockades at potential locations for emergency accommodation, intimidation of those standing in opposition to anti-migrant organising, as well as live-streamed threats to property owners and construction workers.
Throughout all of this, a primary aim of anti-migrant organisers is to sow discord, confusion, fear and domination. This piece focuses on the shared tactic of a small networked core of organisers, rather than those following their lead. Since the riots in Dublin in November, we are seeing some local politicians take up the language of the far right and, in some cases, work with hate influencers and others are being baited into adopting far right positions on migration.
In 2023, we saw incidents on a daily and nightly basis in multiple locations across Dublin, as well as other parts of the country, which we are seeing again now. The messaging and framing from organisers was quite similar to what we are now seeing, with an emphasis on ‘military aged men’ and ‘unvetted males,’ in an effort to stoke up emotions, fears and anxieties within local communities. There is also a similarity in the intended targets of mobilisations which include emergency accommodation sites, as well as those who are likely to be living in such accommodation settings.
There are, however, three important differences and distinctions between the present situation of anti-immigrant mobilisations and those of a year ago.
1. There is a change in tactics from marches to the creation of physical blockades preventing anyone from entering the locations of emergency accommodation settings. Very often this is the specific and public call to action shared on social media. As such, these mobilisations set out to create a deliberate conflict with people either already living or due to live in these settings.
2. There is a decline in the number of people participating at these blockades compared to the marches of last year. Where early 2023 mobilisations attracted hundreds of people, these static mobilisations rarely get such levels of participation. Instead, they are hinged around a small number of committed anti-migrant organisers who are already connected to those orchestrating similar mobilisations in other parts of the country.
3. Perhaps the most significant difference is the participation and direct involvement of politicians on the ground, be they local Councillors, Senators or TD’s. Such involvement from politicians last year was minimal and took the shape primarily of fringe far right political organisations who had no electoral mandate.
When local or national politicians are seen to uncritically take sides with those mounting anti-migrant mobilisations it has two immediate impacts.
The first is the normalisation of directing community anger towards people seeking refuge, rather than the government. We have already seen Councillors from government parties offer implicit support for arson attacks and others have sided with known far right content producers. When politicians do interviews with white supremacist influencers on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter they are normalising fringe extremist hate.
The second impact of hateful behaviour by some local politicians also reduces the space for people in communities to show solidarity with those seeking refuge. If local representatives are doing live streams with known white supremacists, it makes it more difficult for people to challenge those pushing hate in communities.
Political parties need to ensure that all local representatives are abiding by the values of their organisations and, if driving hate in local communities, are held to account.
Politicians need to demonstrate clearly, by both word and action, that they also represent the interests of local people who want to welcome and actively support new members of the community.
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