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Minihan: Government Threats Pathetic

04/07/12

éirígí Dublin City Councillor Louise Minihan has branded threatening letters sent by the 26-County Government to home tax boycotters as a pathetic attempt at scaremongering.

Minihan expressed éirígí’s support and solidarity with those engaged in the mass boycott and called on them to hold firm and resist government threats by building a strong Campaign Against the Household and Water Tax in their local area.

Speaking from Ballyfermot, Councillor Minihan said, “Threatening letters from the Fine Gael/ Labour coalition to home tax boycotters should be seen as a pathetic attempt to bully people into registering and paying the charge. Over 50 percent of the population are involved in a mass boycott of the home tax – the biggest campaign of civil disobedience in this state for decades. That the Dublin government has resorted to issuing threats only highlights the strength and success of the mass boycott.

“Boycotting unjust austerity taxes, such as the home, water and septic tank taxes, is the most effective method to ensure they are defeated. Threats to those who have refused to pay the home tax will not work and will only serve to strengthen the mass campaign against the household and water taxes.

“I would urge the hundreds of thousands of citizens boycotting the home tax to hold firm, and to get involved in building the CAHWT in your local area. The next stage in the battle against home and water taxes must be fought as fiercely as the first. Threatening letters from the government will only intensify our campaign.

“I would also urge anyone with any queries or concerns arising from the threatening letters to contact their local branch of the CAHWT or éirígí to discuss their concerns or to get information on the fight against austerity taxes.”

Minihan concluded, “On Wednesday 18th July, the CAWHT will hold a demonstration against the household, water and septic tank taxes which will begin at the Central Bank Plaza at 5pm, before marching on Leinster House. éirígí calls on all those opposed to austerity taxes to join the demonstration. It’s time to take to the streets to show that the Irish people will not be bullied or intimidated into paying for a crisis we didn’t create!”