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14/01/2013
Flag Violence Is 'Wrong' - UDA Man
Loyalist rioters who are violently protesting the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall are destroying their own communities and playing into Sinn Féin's hands.
This was the message from Jimmy Birch, a UDA man from east Belfast who was speaking to the BBC as part of a Radio Ulster documentary called 'Inside The Flag Protests'.
"Every time they call a tune, we take to the streets," he said.
"We are wrecking our own areas, we fight with the police, we are burning our own cars and we stop our own people going to work and coming home from work and disrupt our own people's way of life.
"It is wrong, we need to step back and we need to stop being predictable."
Mr Birch told the BBC that UDA members had been told not to take part in the violence which has broken out in some areas of east Belfast, since the City Council voted on 3 December to restrict the number of days the union flag can be flown from the top of City Hall.
Last weekend saw some of the worst violence since the Council’s decision.
About 500 people gathered outside Belfast City Hall on Saturday to protest, which resulted in violent clashes with police and nationalists at the mainly Catholic Short Strand area.
Twenty nine officers were injured during a heavy, sustained attack. The PSNI discharged six baton rounds and deployed water cannon. Four officers were taken to hospital.
Mr Birch said he acknowledged the decision by Belfast City Council was a democratic vote and said politics was the only way forward.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are expected to meet the British and Irish governments this week.
Mr Robinson said he wanted to show that the majority of people in Northern Ireland respect the peaceful, democratic process.
Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce is to meet this week to discuss the effects of the ongoing protests on business.
(IT)
This was the message from Jimmy Birch, a UDA man from east Belfast who was speaking to the BBC as part of a Radio Ulster documentary called 'Inside The Flag Protests'.
"Every time they call a tune, we take to the streets," he said.
"We are wrecking our own areas, we fight with the police, we are burning our own cars and we stop our own people going to work and coming home from work and disrupt our own people's way of life.
"It is wrong, we need to step back and we need to stop being predictable."
Mr Birch told the BBC that UDA members had been told not to take part in the violence which has broken out in some areas of east Belfast, since the City Council voted on 3 December to restrict the number of days the union flag can be flown from the top of City Hall.
Last weekend saw some of the worst violence since the Council’s decision.
About 500 people gathered outside Belfast City Hall on Saturday to protest, which resulted in violent clashes with police and nationalists at the mainly Catholic Short Strand area.
Twenty nine officers were injured during a heavy, sustained attack. The PSNI discharged six baton rounds and deployed water cannon. Four officers were taken to hospital.
Mr Birch said he acknowledged the decision by Belfast City Council was a democratic vote and said politics was the only way forward.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are expected to meet the British and Irish governments this week.
Mr Robinson said he wanted to show that the majority of people in Northern Ireland respect the peaceful, democratic process.
Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce is to meet this week to discuss the effects of the ongoing protests on business.
(IT)
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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.
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.
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.
09 January 2013
Union Flag Raised Over City Hall
The union flag has been raised over Belfast City Hall to mark the Duchess of Cambridge’s 31st birthday. The flag was raised following a sixth consecutive night of rioting and violence from loyalist protesters, who are angry at the council’s decision to restrict the flying of the union flag in line with the rest of the UK.
Union Flag Raised Over City Hall
The union flag has been raised over Belfast City Hall to mark the Duchess of Cambridge’s 31st birthday. The flag was raised following a sixth consecutive night of rioting and violence from loyalist protesters, who are angry at the council’s decision to restrict the flying of the union flag in line with the rest of the UK.
12 October 2004
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
City Hall prepares for bookworm invasion
Belfast City Hall is preparing itself for an invasion of young bookworms later this month. Belfast City Council is teaming up with two major cultural festivals, Young at Art and the Belfast Festival at Queen’s, to open up the world of children’s literature.
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