Loyalists pledge to resist ‘Betrayal Act’ at Ulster Hall rally
ORGANISERS of a loyalist rally in Belfast have vowed they “will not be the generation to fail Ulster”.
They said Friday night’s event at the Ulster Hall in Belfast was aimed at motivating people to vote unionist on Thursday.
Unionist candidates won 11 of Northern Ireland’s 18 seats at the last election in 2017.
The rally was styled as a rejection of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit withdrawal deal, described by loyalists as a “Betrayal Act” as it would see Northern Ireland treated differently than the rest of the UK.
It has been claimed that the deal would create a trade border in the Irish Sea and leave Northern Ireland tied to the European Union indefinitely.
Some loyalists have claimed the deal would result in an “economic united Ireland”.
Organisers said the event “also sought to politicise and encourage a younger and more diverse generation of unionists to speak out in defence of Unionist views and values”.
“The overwhelming message of the evening was unambiguous.
“This generation of loyalists will not be the generation to fail Ulster,” their statement read.
“We will not tolerate an economic united Ireland. We will not accept a border in the Irish Sea.
“We will vote unionist on December 12. We will resist the Betrayal Act.”
Around 1,000 loyalists were said to have attended the event, where the Union flag was flown upside down, which is a recognised sign of distress. “Ulster is in distress,” the rally was told.
The event included performances from the Mourne Young Defenders Flute Band accompanied by pipers and Lambeg drummers.
Among those who spoke at the rally were a retired Parachute
Regiment soldier, a Queen’s University student, a community worker and a Belfast teacher.
It also included historical dramatisations with actors taking on the roles of Robert Quigg, Lady Londonderry and Lord Carson. The event also heard messages of support from representatives of the Orange Order and the Apprentice Boys Of Derry in Scotland, before hearing DUP candidate Nigel Dodds and TUV leader Jim Allister presenting “their perspectives on the current political crisis”, according to the statement from the organisers.