An evocative reading of the most important document in the history of the state.
The Simon Community has shared this clip of actor and musician Tommy KD reading out the 1916 Proclamation at many of the historical sites of the 1916 Easter Rising.
Tommy has experienced homelessness and understands what it’s like to feel invisible, to have no voice on the streets of the capital.
The words are written on a sleeping bag as a symbol of the hardships that our homeless population face.
The Simon Community state: “This weekend’s activities are a time for remembrance and reflection. The Proclamation had ambitions for equality and freedom, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally.
“Yet 100 years on we are surrounded by a catastrophic and ever worsening homeless crisis, where 6,000 men, women and children are trapped in emergency accommodation or sleeping rough on our streets, with countless others living in fear of losing their home.
“It must end. Tackling the current homeless and housing crisis has to be a top priority for the next Government. This can only happen through leadership and committed political will and we are asking members of the 32nd Dáil to take urgent action.
“We need a comprehensive plan for the private rented sector to ensure greater affordability, stability and security. Critically, local authorities need to get back into the business of building and delivering social housing on the scale required.
“There is very little social housing available. Access to affordable housing with support is the most cost-effective and proven solution to addressing the housing and homeless crisis.”
Thanks to the writers at Her.ie for bringing this to our attention.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
