A significant IMPACT contingent joined last Thursday’s large emergency rally in solidarity with those targeted by the US government’s controversial new travel ban. The rally took place outside the US embassy in Dublin. 

The discriminatory travel ban, introduced by President Trump, has provoked condemnation from trade unions and human rights groups – and many others – across the globe, including in the USA itself. The measure aims to prevent people from seven predominantly Muslim nations travelling to the United States, and block refugees from war-torn Syria entering that country.

IMPACT deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan said: “Along with all decent people, IMPACT members are disgusted at Donald Trump’s racist, mean-spirited and probably illegal act, which represents a fundamental breach of human rights. The union rejects this unacceptable and inhumane policy.”

Speaking at the rally, IMPACT lead organiser Joe O’Connor said: “IMPACT is utterly disgusted by this policy. The union completely rejects attempts to govern by whipping up fear and hatred.” He also spoke to IMPACT’s history of advocating on behalf of refugees: both in terms of opposing direct provision and of encouraging government to accept greater numbers of refugees given the current crisis.

“IMPACT believes refugees should be welcomed both here at home and abroad,” he said.

IMPACT’s 2016 delegate conference, made up of representatives of all the union’s branches across the country, called on the Irish government to increase the number of refugees accepted under our resettlement and relocation programmes.