Thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin Wednesday to protest a controversial new water charge that has divided opinion in Ireland.
Protesters travelled from across the country, with some lining up to get on buses headed to the capital. Organisers said up to 100,000 were in attendance, although national broadcaster RTE reported that police estimates were lower at 30,000.
"Beware of the risen people" #Right2Water #watercharges #irishwater pic.twitter.com/SxhIe9AVMh— Mary Mc Intyre (@Mc1988) December 10, 2014
The new charges are part of austerity measures that the Irish government is implementing under its arrangement with a troika of lenders -- the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank -- which bailed Ireland out of economic collapse in 2010.
But after four years of tax increases, and the introduction of new charges and levies, the water charges have been viewed as a step too far.
The Irish Water protests are as much about water as the Boston tea party was about tea.— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) December 10, 2014
A poll taken last week by The Irish Times found that less than half of houses are intending to pay it. Those opposed to the tax describe it as double taxation, with water up to this point funded by general taxes.
An incredibly divisive issue, political parties such as Sinn Féin have led calls for the government to reverse their decision, and scrap the new charge -- even putting down a motion of no confidence in Ireland's Taoiseach (prime minister) in parliament.
Wednesday's protest mobilised under the Right2Water banner, with anti-water tax protesters from as far away as Detroit, Michigan, participating. Comedian Russell Brand called on Irish people to "bunk" off work to protest.
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Post by Detroit Water Brigade.
The protest marched on government buildings in Dublin city centre, where police were trying to control the crowds:
Gardaí reinforce barricade on Kildare Street after missile thrown https://t.co/j504UdnfbV— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 10, 2014
Gardai hold the line at Kildare St #waterprotest #irishwater @irishtimes pic.twitter.com/Fn91NDPjxd— Bryan O'Brien (@BryanJOBrien) December 10, 2014
Minor scuffles broke out:
Minor scuffles and objects thrown at Gardai near Leinster House on opposite side of #Right2Water demo pic.twitter.com/zt7sfrOOHD— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) December 10, 2014
The riot squad readied:
Garda riot squad coming down Kildare Street https://t.co/2iadWSuEI5— Hugh O'Connell (@oconnellhugh) December 10, 2014
Public order units now fully kitted outside Dail on Kildare St #watercharges pic.twitter.com/SZ4XdhkEzJ— Juno McEnroe (@Junomaco) December 10, 2014
And protesters of all ages turned out:
Merrion Square - all ages #waterprotest pic.twitter.com/RmopQ0Oa8I— Philip Bromwell (@philipbromwell) December 10, 2014
#watertax #water #watercharges #waterprotest #dublin #Ireland #stopThemadness #NOMORECharges #doubleTax pic.twitter.com/gH3KVrcZ7u— Cathza (@Irskdanser) December 10, 2014
One man even brought his tractor, which he drove from over 100 km away:
A man had driven an old tractor towing an old caravan from Cavan to the #Right2Water protest in Dublin pic.twitter.com/7lLWWlHACA— Colm Hand (@ColmHand) December 10, 2014
Colorful protests signs were also in abundance:
Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' feature at the #Right2Water protest!! #dec10 @pinkfloyd @rogerwaters pic.twitter.com/JpTUUbU8c6— Patrick Cullivan (@paddycullivan) December 10, 2014
Absolutely massive crowd on our way to the Dáil. #right2water #protest pic.twitter.com/u83EIXjwFx— Ruairí McKiernan (@ruairimckiernan) December 10, 2014
Merrion Square #waterprotest banners pic.twitter.com/BBZm7BiIOb— Philip Bromwell (@philipbromwell) December 10, 2014
Once star and lead singer of The Frames Glen Hansard also demonstrated.
Oscar winning singer Glen Hansard says he might sing a song.. #Right2Water pic.twitter.com/ZqgJMfWSw2— Brian Hutton (@magicbathtub) December 10, 2014
Hansard sang a few songs for the crowd:
#waterprotest Glen Hansard and Damien Dempsey sing the Old Triangle together pic.twitter.com/zph6ySl6Gg— Fergal Keane (@fergalrte) December 10, 2014
Another protest is scheduled for next month, but the Irish government reiterated earlier Wednesday that it isn't going to move on the tax.