Ireland-based Latinx collective Sobremesa en Disidencia claim the US should not receive ‘unconditional support’ from Ireland amid ICE violence and invasion of Venezuela.  

By Kelly Smyth 

Sobremesa en Disidencia organisers Catalina Hernández, Barbara Sena and Shoshi Chong. Photo Credits: Sobremesa en Disidencia. 

As Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due his annual visit the White House this St. Patrick’s Day, activist group Sobremesa en Disidencia says the move is “very strange”.  

The recently established feminist collective has emerged with strength in recent months, working closely with left-wing political group ROSA to represent Latinx diaspora in Irish politics. 

Organiser Catalina Hernández said that she felt the decision to uphold the 70-year-old tradition following the recent foreign-policy actions of the Trump administration is not good diplomacy. 

“We understand this is a long-standing tradition but visiting Trump is legitimising the policies that are harming marginalised communities,” she said. 

Hernández, a Mexican expat who has lived in Ireland for over a decade, believes that Latin American diaspora living in Ireland have been forgotten in much of the debate surrounding the Taoiseach’s affirmation to visit the White House in coming weeks. 

“I don’t think it is reflecting the opinion of people in Ireland. I live here, I am a part of the community,” said Hernández. 

Fellow organiser Barbara Sena, who moved to Ireland from Brazil four years ago, also felt the gesture neglects to consider the large Latin American population living in Ireland, with over 27,000 Brazilian citizens alone living in Ireland according to the 2022 census.  

“We accompany the politics by being here. We shouldn’t have the Taoiseach agree to meet with someone who kidnaps other presidents, invades countries and bombs them,” she said.  

A poster advertising the protest on Dawson Street. Photo credits: Kelly Smyth.

Sobremesa en Dicidencia is not the only group to object to the Taoiseach’s White House visit, with ROSA Socialist Feminists and TD Ruth Coppinger backing the ‘No Shamrocks for Trump’ protest that took place outside the Dáil on the 8^th of March, with thousands attending.  

In a social media statement, ROSA condemned the Irish government for upholding the tradition, stating: 

“The latest Epstein files released detail grotesque allegations of child sexual abuse against Trump. The genocide in Palestine and the ICE terror of immigrants and people of colour should be enough for an Irish government to boycott but the Epstein file revelations are yet another reason,” said the statement.  

While Sobremesa en Disidencia are optimistic about the protest, they do feel the public attention to the Epstein files has cast a shadow over the Trump administration’s policies towards Latin America. 

“Every week there is something new with Trump and it is easy to forget other important issues. From our own perspective, Venezuela and ICE are forgotten because of the Epstein files,” said Sena.  

Hernández argues was part of the reason for the Latin American diaspora turnout which attend the protest on International Women’s Day, saying, “We need to take a stand as immigrants in Ireland. We will not allow this ceremony to happen.” 

 The organisation understands that diplomacy is important between the two countries – with over 245,000 people in Ireland directly employed by US-owned companies.  

“We need to be less economically dependent on the US. We can’t say anything. What else does Trump have to do to us to finally say something?” said Sena.  

The organisation strongly believes in Ireland’s global voice, with the Government’s recognition of Palestine as a state in 2025 being a beacon of hope.  

“The rest of the world recognises our actions. It makes me really proud to live here. We can always do more,” said Hernández, “One small action can send a message.” 

“Neutrality doesn’t exist at all. Silence is complacency,” said Sena.  

Despite the large turnout at the protest and US military activity in Iran, the Taoiseach has confirmed that he is still visiting the White House tomorrow.