The Industrial Workers of The World Belfast branch has issued the following statement in response to the deliberate defacement of the George Floyld Black Lives Matter mural in West Belfast.
"The Industrial Workers of the World unequivocally condemn the defacement of the George Floyd mural on the Falls Rd in the strongest possible terms, while reaffirming our solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in the USA and beyond:
"As an international union with a long-standing history of interracial solidarity, we stand united with all members of the working class in their fight against fascism, racism, police repression, and state-based violence. Moreover, we reaffirm our commitment to our motto, 'An injury to one is an injury to all.'
Recent BLM protests, Central Belfast in Solidarity with George Floyd
"We fear that this action is part of the current upswell in far right activity across the island of Ireland, which must be met with firm resistance at every opportunity. We offer our firm support to the people of West Belfast in doing so.
"We will not allow the far right to exploit the anxiety and uncertainty caused by the two governments' handling of the Covid-19 pandemic for their own hateful ends.
"The IWW Ireland branch will continue counter-demonstrations at far right events, while taking whatever other action we deem necessary to protect our communities from the spread of fascist ideals."