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04/12/2012
Riots Break Out Over City Hall Vote
A Loyalist protest outside Belfast City Hall erupted into rioting on Monday evening, after councillors voted against the flying of the union flag on top of the building 365 days a year.
Fifteen police officers were injured along with two security guards and a press photographer. Police were hit with golf balls and bottles and car windows were smashed.
Attacks also occurred in east Belfast, when a group of people attacked officers with bottles and bricks in the Albertbridge Road and Templemore Avenue areas.
Three people were arrested: a 22-year-old man in the city centre and two teenagers in east Belfast.
The violence broke out just minutes after the council vote result was announced.
The union flag debate has been discussed over the past few weeks. Many nationalists wanted it removed completely, while unionists wanted it to remain.
Last night the SDLP and Sinn Féin, who now outnumber unionists on the City Council, voted in favour of a compromise proposed by the Alliance Party. The flag will now be flown on designated days, rather than all year round.
The vote was 29 to 21.
First Minister Peter Robinson condemned the violence, but said the decision to remove the flag was "provocative".
He said: "The decision to pursue the removal of the flag from city hall and other council buildings, despite warnings of the likely consequential impact on community relations, was foolish and provocative.
"Those who talk most about building community relations have by their actions in the council substantially damaged relations across the city."
However, tensions were raised considerably in November when The DUP and Ulster Unionists distributed 40,000 leaflets calling on unionists to contact the Alliance Party to complain about "underhand tactics" over the flag issue.
The leaflets claimed the Alliance Party was attacking unionist cultural identity.
The Alliance Party later said staff at their offices were subjected to many intimidatory and abusive phone calls.
The DUP has now asked that the union flag be flown every day from the cenotaph at City Hall.
(IT/GK)
Fifteen police officers were injured along with two security guards and a press photographer. Police were hit with golf balls and bottles and car windows were smashed.
Attacks also occurred in east Belfast, when a group of people attacked officers with bottles and bricks in the Albertbridge Road and Templemore Avenue areas.
Three people were arrested: a 22-year-old man in the city centre and two teenagers in east Belfast.
The violence broke out just minutes after the council vote result was announced.
The union flag debate has been discussed over the past few weeks. Many nationalists wanted it removed completely, while unionists wanted it to remain.
Last night the SDLP and Sinn Féin, who now outnumber unionists on the City Council, voted in favour of a compromise proposed by the Alliance Party. The flag will now be flown on designated days, rather than all year round.
The vote was 29 to 21.
First Minister Peter Robinson condemned the violence, but said the decision to remove the flag was "provocative".
He said: "The decision to pursue the removal of the flag from city hall and other council buildings, despite warnings of the likely consequential impact on community relations, was foolish and provocative.
"Those who talk most about building community relations have by their actions in the council substantially damaged relations across the city."
However, tensions were raised considerably in November when The DUP and Ulster Unionists distributed 40,000 leaflets calling on unionists to contact the Alliance Party to complain about "underhand tactics" over the flag issue.
The leaflets claimed the Alliance Party was attacking unionist cultural identity.
The Alliance Party later said staff at their offices were subjected to many intimidatory and abusive phone calls.
The DUP has now asked that the union flag be flown every day from the cenotaph at City Hall.
(IT/GK)
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06 March 2013
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
10 December 2012
Assembly Session Held Over Flag Violence
A special session is being held in the Assembly today to debate a motion condemning the violence caused by the flag debate at Belfast City Hall. Protests, both peaceful and violent, have been taking place across Northern Ireland since the decision was made to remove the union flag from Belfast City Hall and fly it only on designated days.
Assembly Session Held Over Flag Violence
A special session is being held in the Assembly today to debate a motion condemning the violence caused by the flag debate at Belfast City Hall. Protests, both peaceful and violent, have been taking place across Northern Ireland since the decision was made to remove the union flag from Belfast City Hall and fly it only on designated days.
05 February 2013
75% Believe Flag Protests Should Stop
Over 75% of people believe the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall should stop, according to the BBC. BBC Spotlight surveyed the public in an opinion poll on the continuing protests over the limiting of the flying of the union flag at City Hall. Belfast City Councillors voted on 3 December to restrict the flying of the flag to designated days.
75% Believe Flag Protests Should Stop
Over 75% of people believe the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall should stop, according to the BBC. BBC Spotlight surveyed the public in an opinion poll on the continuing protests over the limiting of the flying of the union flag at City Hall. Belfast City Councillors voted on 3 December to restrict the flying of the flag to designated days.
06 December 2012
Ford Calls For Condemnation Of Flag Violence
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called on the Assembly to show it is united in its opposition to violence over the union flag vote at City Hall. The call follows an escalation of attacks on Alliance offices and representatives.
Ford Calls For Condemnation Of Flag Violence
Alliance Party Leader David Ford has called on the Assembly to show it is united in its opposition to violence over the union flag vote at City Hall. The call follows an escalation of attacks on Alliance offices and representatives.
20 February 2013
Crusaders Call For End To Flag Protests
North Belfast football club Crusaders have called for an end to union flag protests around their stadium, after a game against Cliftonville last Saturday was cancelled.
Crusaders Call For End To Flag Protests
North Belfast football club Crusaders have called for an end to union flag protests around their stadium, after a game against Cliftonville last Saturday was cancelled.
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