Anti-vaxxers cancel upcoming rally because it's too close to Christmas

The demonstration, supported by ‘Enough is Enough’ and CivilRights.ie was due to take place outside the Dail to protest against the use of vaccine passports in hospitality, gyms, leisure centres and gyms.

‘Enough is Enough’ is a group that describes themselves as “campaigners for truth and civil rights, freedom and bodily autonomy.”

‘Rally for Democracy’ will now be rescheduled for a later date.

The group behind the rally previously organised a school walk-out in protest against children wearing masks in primary school.

The demonstration took place on Friday December 3 outside the Dáil.

“Calling on parents and children across Ireland to unite in a mass gathering at Dáil Éireann,” a promotional poster for the school strike read.

“Minister Donnelly, we will not comply with your inhumane mask mandate for primary school children.”

“Let’s lead by example and show our children what democracy looks like!”

The poster also boasted that they would be joined by “inspirational speakers, teachers, therapists, special needs parents and more!”

It comes as gyms across Ireland have reported widespread membership cancellations as new Covid rules kick in.

Earlier this week, new Covid restrictions that were introduced at gyms, leisure centres and hotels require people to present vaccination certs before entry.

Karl Dunne, chief executive of the Leisure, Health and Fitness Association (LHFA), told The Irish Times that some members are being hostile towards gym staff.

[Staff] are finding members coming in and saying ‘I am not vaccinated, so I can’t use it, so I want to either cancel or suspend membership’.”

“It’s quite common across all our members, who have come back to us that they are receiving hassle from a certain cohort.”

Karl said that one gym reported that more than 100 people demanded to cancel or suspend their membership.

He said he raised this issue in a meeting with Department of Sport officials on Thursday.

While January is usually a popular month for gyms as people begin new year's resolutions, the LHFA are expecting a decline of 40 per cent next month.