We wont pay organises national boycott of water charges

We Won’t Pay has launched its national boycott campaign against water charges.

The organisation has published a leaflet which it wants to get through the door of every house in the country and is looking for campaign groups to organise street meetings across the country.

Councillor Michael O’Brien (Dublin City Council) said: “The water charges bills have started to arrive and will continue for the next couple of months. The next eight weeks will be decisive in defeating the water charges and Irish Water through the organising of a national boycott.

“The government will step up its threats and propaganda over the next few weeks. It is important that their scare tactics are answered by those opposed to the charge. The We Won’t Pay campaign has produced a leaflet that debunks the government’s bluster and will answer people’s questions and fears and give them the confidence to boycott the bill.

“We are launching this call for campaign groups, communities and activists across the country to help make sure that this leaflet gets through every door in the country.”

Conor Mac Liam from Kilkenny said the boycott is the 'key tactic' that will defeat Irish Water.

He stated: “The boycott needs to be organised in every estate and community. Our campaign will be organising street meetings in areas across the country. Street meetings can be crucial. From these we will organise groups of residents into an army of canvassers to knock on their neighbours' doors and convince them of non-payment. We would appeal to other campaign groups to organise meetings like this in their own areas.”

According to We Won't Pay campaigner Aine O’Connor, from Limerick, the boycott gives people a chance to 'strike back' against the government and its agenda.

She stated: “Irish Water and the media have been trying to portray registration with Irish Water as a sign that water charges have been accepted. Many people registered through fear or before the mass protests began. Our message to people is whether you have registered or not, don’t pay the bill when it arrives.”

We Won't Pay is calling on people to join a protest on April 18 to ‘bin their bill’ outside Dáil Éireann.