IN PICTURES: Pro-refugee rally held in Waterford

A recently formed broad based community organisation, 'Waterford For All' who gathered in JR Sq yesterday to protest against the far right who wanted to spread their hatred and racist bile in our city, following their attacks outside refuge centres in Dublin over the last week or so.

Groups like 'Waterford For All' are being formed across Dublin and other areas of the country to counter the hate, bile ànd lies that are being spread by racist and facist groups.

The Waterford organisation is made up of civil society organisations including trade unions, women's groups, pensioners, LGBTQ, Anti Racism organisations like Le Chèile, sporting groups, political parties and individuals etc.

With slogans, short speeches and a leaflet handout, the organisers say they got their message across that refugees are welcome here.

Those being the rally stress there was a housing crisis, and a hospital and health service crisis long before refugees arrived in the country.

"Historically Waterford has a magnificent record of welcoming those fleeing persecution, War and famine etc going back to ancient times. We welcomed Huguenots fleeing persecution in France in the 16th century, Hungarian refugees following the upheaval in Hungary in 1956, Chilean refugees in 1973, Boat People and citizens fleeing the pogroms in West Belfast in the late 60's," the organisers posted on social media.