Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) have called for a protest at the US Embassy against Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s St Patrick’s Day visit to the states.
Scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 14 at 5.30pm, the protest is supported by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).
In an Instagram post announcing the protest, TCDSU have condemned the Taoiseach’s visit stating: “While the US is enabling and sustaining a genocide, our politicians are going over to the White House to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day”.
Several Irish politicians, including Varadkar, travel to the US this week for the annual St Patrick’s Day visit. Varadkar has several political engagements scheduled in Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington D.C., aiming to improve Irish-American relations and discuss international crises.
Varadkar will also be spending St Patrick’s Day in the White House, joining President Joe Biden for the ‘Shamrock Ceremony’ tradition.
Throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict, the US has been an outspoken supporter of Israel through foreign policy as well as supplying military aid and weapons.
According to a Freedom of Information Act request obtained by BreakingNews.ie, over 4,000 people in Ireland contacted the Taoiseach’s office ahead of his US plans calling for a boycott of the visit, largely criticising the US backing of Israel over the conflict in Gaza.
Speaking today at an event at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston, Varadkar said that the US and Ireland must work together and dedicate themselves to “freedom and peace in Gaza as well as the rest of the world”.
He added: “Ireland will continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and a massive and sustained increase in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”
Varadkar made no comment regarding the US stance on the matter.
Minister for Tourism, Sports, Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin has also come under fire for her planned visit to the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Texas this week.
Several Irish artists have pulled out due to the Israel-Hamas conflict and US support of Israel, including Kneecap, Mick Flannery, and Soda Blonde.
TCDSU, a notable supporter of Palestine and a ceasefire in Gaza, is inviting students to join the protest against Irish leaders’ visits amidst US endorsement of Israel and to “stand in solidarity against genocide”.
TCDSU have been contacted for comment.
