Target: Charlie Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality in Ireland
Goal: Praise Ireland’s ban of anti-LGBTQ+ pastor.
US preacher Steven Anderson, who once called for gay people to be stoned to death, has finally been banned from entering the Republic of Ireland. He has also been banned from 29 European countries, and previously from entering the UK in 2016. The announcement comes just before his scheduled meeting in Dublin later this month, after the country’s justice minister Charlie Flanagan declared that his department has taken measures to prevent him from entering the state through an exclusion order “in the interests of public policy.”
Anderson has been under fire for his discriminatory views. He has previously called for the death of former US President Barack Obama and openly celebrated the Orlando massacre at the Pulse gay club, telling his congregation: “The good news is that there’s 50 less paedophiles in this world, because, you know, these homosexuals are a bunch of disgusting perverts and paedophiles.” A previous ForceChange petition urged that he not be allowed into Ireland.
Under exclusion legislation in Ireland, the Minister for Justice can forbid somebody from entering the country if they view it “necessary in the interest of national security or public policy.” According to The Irish Times, Anderson is the first person banned from entering the Republic of Ireland by exclusion powers which were first introduced in 1999. Sign below to express your support for the long-awaited measure.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Flanagan,
Due to your efforts to combat discrimination, pastor Steven Anderson, who was scheduled to preach in Dublin on May 26, has been banned from entering the country. Your views are shared by 29 other European countries that prohibit his presence.
You prevented hateful opinions from being shared and potentially leaving their mark on the LGBTQ+ community. You proved that prejudice is not tolerated in Ireland. Sexual minorities feel comforted thanks to your initiative.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Steven Anderson
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