Former Irish President Mary Robinson has delivered a powerful condemnation of what she described as "attacks on truth" emanating from the current United States administration. Speaking at an International Women's Day rally in Belfast, Robinson accused American leadership of deliberately spreading falsehoods to create confusion and undermine global stability.
Strong Words in Belfast
Addressing a diverse crowd gathered in front of Belfast City Hall, Robinson declared: "We have an administration in the United States which is flooding the atmosphere with lies, not to be believed, but to confuse, to confuse that there is no truth." The event, which began at Writer's Square before marching along Royal Avenue to City Hall, attracted representatives from numerous organizations including Women's Aid, Global Women's Strike, Youth Action, and Surviving Economic Abuse.
Multiple Crises Highlighted
Robinson's speech covered multiple intersecting crises affecting women globally. She condemned what she called an "epidemic of violence against women and girls" in Northern Ireland, Ireland, and worldwide, while criticizing international spending priorities that favor military conflicts over humanitarian aid.
"Now we have this war by Israel and the United States on Iran which has opened up such devastation in the Middle East," Robinson stated, adding that this conflict exemplifies the "undermining of the rule of law" that threatens global stability.
Social Media Misogyny and AI Threats
The former president also targeted the toxic environment women face online, describing social media misogyny as "an extraordinarily dark part of social media now, and getting worse because AI is enabling the denuding of women and girls." She warned that artificial intelligence technologies are being weaponized to "literally try to destroy people's lives through attacks on social media."
Environmental Concerns and Local Initiatives
Beyond political and social issues, Robinson highlighted the environmental crisis as "the biggest threat to our future." She announced the establishment of an Ireland branch of her Project Dandelion initiative, which will focus on promoting food sovereignty across the island.
Iranian Activist Speaks Out
The rally also featured Iranian human rights activist and academic Azadeh Sobout, who delivered a passionate plea for democracy in her homeland. "I stand before you as an Iranian woman who opposes the men who rule my country today," Sobout declared, describing Iran as being "under bombardment" both literally and politically.
Sobout rejected what she called false choices presented to Iranian people: "between dictatorship and bombardment, between oppression and destruction, submission and annihilation." Her presence alongside Robinson emphasized the international solidarity theme of the event.
Local Calls to Action
Aoife Nic An Tuile from Youth Action delivered stark statistics about violence against women in Northern Ireland, calling the region "the most dangerous place in Europe to be a woman." She urged unity and practical action, stating: "Violence against women is not inevitable but preventable. Ending this violence is not just a fight for women but a fight for humanity."
Helen Crickard from Reclaim the Agenda also addressed the crowd, reinforcing the need for collective action across generations and communities.
The Power of Solidarity
Throughout the event, speakers returned repeatedly to the theme of solidarity as essential resistance against multiple threats. Robinson emphasized that "truth is our relations with each other" and that "we must flourish together" through shared strength.
"We have to grow that solidarity and grow it in ways that strengthen it in order to counter a very severe range of backlashes against rights now," Robinson concluded, framing the Belfast gathering as both local celebration and global call to action on International Women's Day.
