Campaigners for the ‘no’ side have called for action from the Government and ‘yes’ advocates, against an unlawful nationwide campaign of destruction of their marriage referendum posters.
‘Yes’ activists have posted videos and photographs from across the country of ‘no’ posters being defaced, torn down and destroyed, and a Dublin hotel has offered a 50% room discount for those presenting a ‘no’ poster.
“What is happening to the posters being put up by the ‘no’ is both undemocratic and unlawful. It is yet another sign that many on the ‘yes’ side are not interested in having a debate, but in shutting down all debate,” said Patricia Casey of the Iona Institute.
“What is particularly galling is the almost total silence of many of the main players on the ‘yes’ side in the face of this. They can see for themselves as they drive around our streets what is happening. They can look on social media at ‘yes’ activists openly breaking the law and encouraging others to do the same. They will have read about the Dublin hotelier encouraging ‘yes’ activists to tear down posters,” she said.
“Yes side leaders, starting with the Government, and not least Enda Kenny and Fine Gael campaign director, Simon Coveney, must issue a statement condemning and what is happening and do so immediately.”
“All we want is a level playing pitch,” said Keith Mills of Mothers and Fathers Matter, who has received reports of volunteers erecting ‘no’ posters being verbally abused.
“There is very clearly a significant element of the ‘yes’ side that either fears or opposes debate on this referendum. Instead, they are engaged in a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and criminality,” he said.
“We condemn this behaviour in the strongest possible terms, and call on the leaders of the ‘yes’ campaign to join us in doing so urgently.”