Equality and civil liberty bodies must speak out against Anderson’s racist and sectarian speech

FOR years, the rhetoric of Ian Paisley was blamed for formenting, troubling and landing many young loyalist men in prison.

In America Donald Trump is frequently — and rightly — called out for his use of language and the effects it is having, particularly on the extremists within US society.

So, why not Martina Anderson MEP? Why, when she makes a violent, hatefilled speech at the national hunger strike memorial, ending with the threatening slogan of a terrorist organisation, do the civil liberties groups, the equality groups and others stay silent?

Surely, calling for the removal of the “British presence in Ireland” is both racist and incitement against 60% of the population of Northern Ireland? Surely, punching the air and roaring “Tiocfaidh ar la” is simply hate speech? So, where is the condemnation?

Now, I’m not interested in the views of unionists. I want to hear from Pride, Amnesty International, Irish language sector, reproductive rights campaigners, the Equality Commission, civic and social society, who allow their causes to be platformed by Ms Anderson.

If Donald Trump had called for Mexicans to get out of the US and chanted “White Power” the world would have gone mad — and rightly so. So, why ignore Ms Anderson’s comments?

For too long sectarianism and racism has only been called out on the unionist side. Yes, there have been many examples of both and, yes, they have rightly been called out. But why do we allow republicanism to get away with this? Why was Ms Anderson welcome at Pride, for example, when, in her view, half those participating should “get out”?

Equally, when dissidents attack the police or other symbols of Britishness in Northern Ireland, how can Ms Anderson say they are wrong when, in her view, “they should get out”?

For too long we have accepted Sinn Fein and their false “equality”. If Ms Anderson’s speech is the true face of Sinn Fein, then it’s about time they were called out for what they are.

ULTONIAN Portadown, Co Armagh