Workers Solidarity Movement

The 1% Network has announced plans for a Street Theatre and Music event and an Open Meeting during which the Central Bank in Dublin’s Dame Street will be cordoned off as a crime scene. 

Announcing plans for the event entitled “The 1% don’t Need To Stand in Elections” (see http://www.onepercentnetwork.org/?p=94), 1% Network spokesperson Brian Leeson said, “We will designate the Central Bank a crime scene because we see it as a symbol of no-regulation capitalism and unbridled greed.  The victims of the financial crimes committed here are the almost half a million unemployed, the thousand people a week forced to emigrate, the social welfare recipients whose payments have been cut, the workers whose wages have been slashed….”

“These crimes have been committed in order to protect the wealth divide that exists in Irish society,” Mr. Leeson continued.  “The 1% of the population that owned 34% of the wealth in 2007 retain most of their wealth today.  And that wealth gives them access to political power.  They don’t care whether it’s Fianna Fáil & The Greens or Fine Gael & Labour that are nominally in charge because they know that the real political power lies in their hands.  The politicians’ hands are tied and they are mere puppets on the strings of the super-wealthy.”

The event is due to take place at the Central Bank, Dame Street, Dublin2 on Thursday 10^th March at 6:00p.m.

“The new government has made it clear that they are going to continue on the path of austerity and cutbacks as laid out by Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, the IMF and the European Central Bank,” said Gregor Kerr, 1% Network spokesperson.  “There may be some tweaking of interest rates and slight ‘re-negotiations’ but the fundamentals will remain the same – the billions of Euros of debts foisted on us by the gambling casinos of international capital and property speculation will continue to be paid for out of our pockets.”

“It will continue to be paid for by cuts in social welfare, cuts to wages and salaries, attacks on the public services such as health and education that we all depend on, ever lengthening dole queues and more and more people forced to take the emigrant plane and look for work abroad,” Mr. Kerr continued.

The Open Meeting will be addressed by a number of trade union and community speakers who will be involved in coming weeks and months in building opposition to government attacks on our living conditions and services.

As part of the event, members of the wealthy 1% will be present to drive home their message that they are proud of the fact that Irish society and politics continue to promote wealth inequality.  “With a new government in place, we’re still pulling the strings,” an anonymous member of the 1% said.  “It’s how it happens in Ireland, in Europe and elsewhere – malleable politicians obey the laws of The Market and the poor stump up to ensure the wealthy are protected.  It’s the Golden Rule – whoever has the Gold makes the Rules.” (see http://www.onepercentnetwork.org/?p=92 for their full plans)

Statement Ends

Event Details:
Central Bank, Dame Street, Dublin2
Thursday 10^th March
6:00p.m.

Press Release: Central Bank to be cordoned off as Crime Scene; Members of elite 1% see government politicians as Puppets On A String

Note to Editor: The 1% network is a coalition of socialist groups which has come together to oppose the cutback agenda of the government and to promote a socialist alternative to the current socio-economic system.  Organisations within the coalition include éirígí, Irish Socialist Network, Seomra Spraoi and the Workers Solidarity Movement.  The name of the coalition was chosen to highlight the fact that just 1% of the population control in excess of 34% of the wealth of the state.

For more information, contact Gregor Kerr 086 1501151