Opinion
25 Sep 25

Some Dublin councillors to boycott Obama's Freedom of Dublin ceremony

Barack Obama at campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at the Cole and Jeannie Davis Sports Center in Tucson, Arizona. Photo credit: Gage Skidmore

Chloe Craft

"It is disgrace that Dublin's Mansion House is being used to whitewash the legacy of a war criminal," said People Before Profit-Solidarity Councillor Conor Reddy.

Some Dublin city councillors have called for a boycott of former US President Barack Obama's Freedom of Dublin acceptance event today.

In a statement today, the Dublin City Council Independent Group cited Obama's "support for the terrorist regime in Israel" and "murderous foreign policy in Libya, Yemen, Somalia and elsewhere" as reasons for the boycott.

"The Obama administration granted Israel an unprecedented military aid package of $38 billion in 2015 despite its war crimes in Gaza and relentless settlement expansion," read the statement.

"His administration objected to Palestine joining the International Criminal Court and opposed any ICC investigation of grave crimes by Israeli officials."

People Before Profit-Solidarity Councillor Conor Reddy said he refused his invitation to join other councillors at the ceremony and encouraged citizens to participate in protests of the event.

"To roll out the red carpet for him in Dublin, at a time when Palestinians are being slaughtered with US weapons, is shameful," said Reddy, adding, "It is disgrace that Dublin's Mansion House is being used to whitewash the legacy of a war criminal."

Obama is set to receive the Freedom of Dublin in a small, intimate ceremony at Mansion House today with Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam and several Dublin councillors. He will then be invited to sign the roll of honour.

In July, McAdam wrote to the Obamas with an invitation to hold a full council meeting to receive the award, which he said was recently accepted. Reddy was among the most vocal opponents to the former US president receiving the honours, and requested McAdam re-examine the invitation when it was first sent.

"Many of today's global crises trace back to policy decisions made under President Obama," said Reddy in an open letter in July, listing military aid sent to Israel, expansions of drone warfare and controversial fiscal policies following the 2008 financial crisis.

"If we value democracy, respect for human life and international law, we should not be honouring Barack Obama."

The Dublin City Council voted to bestow the honour on Barack and Michelle Obama in 2017 but the couple had not yet had the chance to officially accept it, as they had not visited Ireland since a brief state visit in 2011.

When he accepts it, Obama will join the 88 previous recipients of the award, alongside the likes of Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela, U2 and Mother Teresa.

The Freedom of the City of Dublin empowers recipients with a number of privileges, including being able to graze sheep on St. Stephen's Green.

Obama is visiting Dublin this week for An Evening with President Barack Obama in Conversation with Fintan O’Toole at 3Arena on September 26.