Pro-Russia cavalcade provokes shock and anger in Ireland

 

About 10 cars with Russian and Irish flags drove in a convoy down the M50 motorway last Sunday afternoon in an apparent display of support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The bonnet of the lead vehicle, a green Jeep, bore the Z symbol that Russian forces use in Ukraine.

The rally is believed to have been organised through a private Facebook group for Russians living in Ireland. ...

The cavalcade occurred three days after Irish legislators gave a standing ovation to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who thanked Ireland for its support for Ukraine in a video address to both chambers of parliament.

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The cavalcade reportedly set out from the Maldron hotel near Dublin airport and made its way down the M50, Ireland’s busiest motorway, bearing Russian, Soviet and Irish flags.

Many people on social media condemned the pro-Moscow display as an affront to the victims of Russia’s invasion and an insult to Ireland’s solidarity with Ukraine. Others expressed disapproval but defended the right of people to show support for Russia.

 

Isn't this the way of things now? I think of Trump in 2015 and 2016: Weekly, almost daily, outrages. And then people become inured and others become defensive and double down. It is spitting facts in the face with defiance and lies whether it's Charlottesville or "the freest and fairest election" of all time, January 6 or COVID vaccines or Russia's war. These are Russians in Ireland, they are not captive of Putin's domestic dezinformatsiya, they have the truth, and they demonstrate in support of lies.