Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COMMUNITY RALLY TO PROTEST OVER FLAGS
Anger as UVF banners erected
AN event to protest against the flying of flags is planned for this evening. The Respect Shared Space Rally is scheduled for Cherryvale Park in South Belfast at around 6pm. The move comes in the wake of a number of flags, including UVF 1912 flags, appearing in a mixed housing development off the Ravenhill Road. The banners have been erected in the area of Global Crescent and Cantrell Close, a development which is part of the Together Building United Communities programme. The scheme, according to the Executive, is a “commitment to improving community relations”. The appearance of the flags has sparked a now familiar reaction with many outraged they have appeared in a mixed area, but others saying they are expression of culture. News of the rally comes ahead of political representatives meeting the PSNI today to discuss the issue. In one part of South Belfast in July 2014, there was an apparent change in policy when the PSNI said “police have directed that any future erection of flags on this part of the Ormeau Road [Ballynafeigh] will be treated as a breach of the peace”. The following summer, however, the police reverted to the stance that flags are an issue for local communities to resolve and that they will only step in if there is a threat of a breach of the peace. So far this year, the police have stuck to that stance. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “The flying of flags in public places is an issue that provokes a range of strong responses and very different viewpoints. “The reality is that while we understand the public’s frustration in this matter, police will only act to remove flags where there are substantial risks to public safety. “Until the Joint Protocol in Relation to the Display of Flags in Public Areas is updated, we will continue to work with communities and respond to any issue where there is a concern for public safety or where it is believed a criminal offence has occurred.” A group of men with ladders were seen in the Ballynafeigh area on Tuesday putting up flags. SDLP Assembly member Claire Hanna said: “Anybody can fly a flag from their home, but you don’t get to decide the political view of the whole neighbourhood.” Sinn Fein’s Mairtin O Muilleoir called on unionist political leaders to join demands for their removal, adding “they are of no benefit to creating reconciliation”. The political reaction to the Ravenhill flags has been varied. South Belfast MP Emma Littlepengelly called the issue “complex”. Speaking after calling to a number of homes in the area, the DUP representative said some people were “very supportive of the flags” and the “majority” of people who spoke to her understood they will be taken down again at some stage. She added: “Really they didn’t want a public fuss around this matter.” However, it drew a sharp response from Ms Hanna who said for the MP to “dismiss fears saying no one wants to make a fuss is outrageous”.
The flying of flags provokes a range of strong responses ACC ALAN TODD BELFAST YESTERDAY