Gardaí have warned the organisers of this afternoon’s Black Lives Matter protest that they could be prosecuted for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
The demonstration is due to get underway at the US embassy in Dublin this afternoon.
They're calling for an end to Direct Provision in Ireland.
While they'll also demonstrate in solidarity with the movement in the United States.
America was rocked by civil unrest when George Floyd was killed in police custody on May 25th.
STATEMENT ABOUT TODAY'S #BLMIRELAND protest by @masi_asylum @BlackPrideIre and @merj_ireland
Full text here: https://t.co/Ow10WKNiAG pic.twitter.com/B96E7f8OX0— MERJ Ireland (@merj_ireland) June 6, 2020
Black Lives Matter Protest Organisers "Warned"
In a statement this afternoon, Gardaí noted that both the Chief Medical Officer and the Health Minister had urged people not to attend the protest.
They said a mass gathering could put people's health in danger.
While Gardaí have no choice but to refer all breaches to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“An Garda Síochána have spoken with the organisers in relation to that and have advised them of their responsibilities of social distancing under the guidelines," said Garda Superintendent Thomas Murphy.
To learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement and how you can support and educate yourself, click here.
