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S.E.A. Meetings

Galliagh Community Against the Water Tax meeting Monday 7th February

Friday 4th February, 2005

The Galliagh Community Against the Water Tax group is to meet on Monday 7th February at 8pm in St. Joseph's parish hall. Spokesperson for the group, Cabrini Coyle said  "we've called this meeting at short notice as we want to support the water service workers who are striking on Wed. Also, we want to get the word around Galliagh about the march against water charges  next Sat. 12th Feb.

"Galliagh Community Against the Water Tax was set up in December", says Ms. Coyle. "Galliagh is one of the most disadvantaged parts of Northern Ireland and people simply cannot afford to pay out more.

"So many families in Galliagh are already struggling to get by on low wages and miserly benefits", says Ms. Coyle. "Yet even those on the lowest incomes ­ including pensioners ­ will be expected to pay £300-£400 a year, which is the proposed average charge."

"We know that there is not enough awareness of the effect of the charges", said the Galliagh Communities Against the Water Tax spokesperson. "For example, a lot of people still think that if they are on benefits they won't have to pay. But it's going to be like your electricity bill. It will be up to you and only you to pay it."

"We hope to get thousands of people in Galliagh signed up for non-payment. This is not going to be like the rent and rates strike. We have at least 18 months to organise it and, crucially, one of the big differences about this campaign is that it brings Protestants and Catholics together. We hope to have at least 100,000 people across the North signed up for non-payment by this time next year. That will be the minimum number needed to ensure the water charges are defeated.

Ms. Coyle says that the march next Saturday should be "just the start of protests against this double tax on water". We want to see a good turnout from Galliagh.





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