On Saturday, Dublin city centre witnessed the Disability Pride and Power march, an event attended by hundreds of individuals. The parade, only the second of its kind to happen in Ireland, progressed from the Garden of Remembrance and ended at Custom House Quay in the evening.
The global inaugural Disability Pride parade was held back in 2004 in Chicago, and since then this type of event has been observed globally. Dr Rosaleen McDonagh, a renowned activist and author, as well as independent senator Tom Clonan, were among the key speakers.
The gathering was organised by Maryam Madani, founder of Disability Power Ireland and parade organiser. She acknowledged the recent successes of the Irish grassroots disability rights movement which, following the Scrap the Green Paper Coalition campaign and the vital care referendum, has notable accomplishments to salute.
The innovations have led to disability rights being established as a necessary topic in the political agenda. The parade is crucial for the disabled community and its supporters to show unity and express their unmet needs and rights.
The aim is to highlight the strength, creativity, and beauty of the disabled community and to address the marginalisation and stigmatisation they often face. This is also a chance to promote a more accurate public view of this group whilst making sure the event is joyful and fun.
The parade, which received monetary aid from the Arts Council of Ireland, was postponed by one week to make way for a Palestine protest the previous Saturday. Among the participants were DADA (Disabled Artists and Academics), Access 4 All Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, and Invisible Disability Ireland.
Entertainment was provided with drag shows from Viktor Complex and Poppy de Scrace of Disgraceful Cabaret, and musical performance from Acoustic Punk Advocacy Service.