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16/01/2023
Other News In Brief
Govt Urged To 'Scrap Cruel And Callous' Legacy Bill
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has called on the Conservative government to "listen to widespread opposition and scrap its cruel and callous" Legacy Bill.
The North Belfast MLA said: "I am calling on the British Government, once again, to scrap the flawed Legacy Bill that is attempting to close down truth and justice and put British state forces above the law.
"This reckless legislation is being rushed through and ignores opposition from victims and families, political parties, human rights experts and now the British Labour Party.
"The commitment given today in Belfast by the leader of the British Opposition that he would repeal what is clearly an unjust piece of legislation is welcome.
"All voices must continue to challenge the Tories on these cruel and callous attempts to block access to truth and justice for victims and families at every turn."
'No Surprise' Belfast One Of Most Congested Cities In The World – Green Party
The Green Party has said that it is "no surprise" that Belfast has been ranked the 50th most congested city in the world.
Party leader, Malachi O'Hara, said that the ranking was "indicative of the failure by successive executives to invest in public transport and support people to use their cars less."
Mr O'Hara said: "Despite the declaration of a climate emergency by the NI Assembly in 2020, little to nothing has actually been done to act on the emergency.
"Congestion means lost hours of productivity for business, commuters stuck in soul destroying bumper to bumper traffic and it means that citizens right across Belfast are breathing in toxic air.
"The Department for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs suggests from it's own evidence that 1 in 24 deaths in Belfast are attributable to toxic air despite only 40% of households in Belfast not having access to a car or van.
"A primary cause of that toxic air is transport emissions."
Mal O'Hara continued: "Many cities used the opportunity during the first few waves of the pandemic to totally transform away from private car dependence. "Our Executive absolutely missed this opportunity by instead installing less than three kilometres of unconnected pop-up cycle lanes and refusing to enforce any form of pedestrianisation in the city."
Alliance Party Marks Martin Luther King Day
The Alliance Party has marked Martin Luther King Day (Monday 16 January), with Spokesperson for Migration, Kate Nicholl, stating that "his fight against racial inequality is still just as relevant today as it was during the United States civil rights movement".
The South Belfast MLA said: "The civil rights activism of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr remains as relevant today as it was during the United States civil rights movement.
"Earlier this month, Keenan Anderson, cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors was killed by Los Angeles police after he got in a traffic accident and officers who showed up repeatedly Tased and restrained him in the middle of the street, according to body-camera footage and his family's account.
"Last year was the deadliest year for police violence since experts started tracking killings nationwide in 2013, according to recent analysis. The Los Angeles Police Department has also fatally shot two people so far this year, and in 2020 killed Daniel Hernandez after he too was in a car accident.
"Keenan Anderson's killing is a reminder that over and over again, the burden and responsibility for violence gets placed at feet of Black men, but the grim reality is that violence that Black communities are experiencing vigilante and white supremacist violence, and violence at the hands of police officers who are meant to protect them.
"Members of racial minorities are suffering from the deep-rooted prejudices in our societies, and it is up to us as elected representatives to disseminate hatred and misinformation and promote social justice."
As Dr. King reminded the world in his historic speech in front of the United Nations in 1967 – "There can be no justice without peace, and there can be no peace without justice."
"This realisation remains as relevant as ever."
Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly has called on the Conservative government to "listen to widespread opposition and scrap its cruel and callous" Legacy Bill.
The North Belfast MLA said: "I am calling on the British Government, once again, to scrap the flawed Legacy Bill that is attempting to close down truth and justice and put British state forces above the law.
"This reckless legislation is being rushed through and ignores opposition from victims and families, political parties, human rights experts and now the British Labour Party.
"The commitment given today in Belfast by the leader of the British Opposition that he would repeal what is clearly an unjust piece of legislation is welcome.
"All voices must continue to challenge the Tories on these cruel and callous attempts to block access to truth and justice for victims and families at every turn."
'No Surprise' Belfast One Of Most Congested Cities In The World – Green Party
The Green Party has said that it is "no surprise" that Belfast has been ranked the 50th most congested city in the world.
Party leader, Malachi O'Hara, said that the ranking was "indicative of the failure by successive executives to invest in public transport and support people to use their cars less."
Mr O'Hara said: "Despite the declaration of a climate emergency by the NI Assembly in 2020, little to nothing has actually been done to act on the emergency.
"Congestion means lost hours of productivity for business, commuters stuck in soul destroying bumper to bumper traffic and it means that citizens right across Belfast are breathing in toxic air.
"The Department for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs suggests from it's own evidence that 1 in 24 deaths in Belfast are attributable to toxic air despite only 40% of households in Belfast not having access to a car or van.
"A primary cause of that toxic air is transport emissions."
Mal O'Hara continued: "Many cities used the opportunity during the first few waves of the pandemic to totally transform away from private car dependence. "Our Executive absolutely missed this opportunity by instead installing less than three kilometres of unconnected pop-up cycle lanes and refusing to enforce any form of pedestrianisation in the city."
Alliance Party Marks Martin Luther King Day
The Alliance Party has marked Martin Luther King Day (Monday 16 January), with Spokesperson for Migration, Kate Nicholl, stating that "his fight against racial inequality is still just as relevant today as it was during the United States civil rights movement".
The South Belfast MLA said: "The civil rights activism of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr remains as relevant today as it was during the United States civil rights movement.
"Earlier this month, Keenan Anderson, cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors was killed by Los Angeles police after he got in a traffic accident and officers who showed up repeatedly Tased and restrained him in the middle of the street, according to body-camera footage and his family's account.
"Last year was the deadliest year for police violence since experts started tracking killings nationwide in 2013, according to recent analysis. The Los Angeles Police Department has also fatally shot two people so far this year, and in 2020 killed Daniel Hernandez after he too was in a car accident.
"Keenan Anderson's killing is a reminder that over and over again, the burden and responsibility for violence gets placed at feet of Black men, but the grim reality is that violence that Black communities are experiencing vigilante and white supremacist violence, and violence at the hands of police officers who are meant to protect them.
"Members of racial minorities are suffering from the deep-rooted prejudices in our societies, and it is up to us as elected representatives to disseminate hatred and misinformation and promote social justice."
As Dr. King reminded the world in his historic speech in front of the United Nations in 1967 – "There can be no justice without peace, and there can be no peace without justice."
"This realisation remains as relevant as ever."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 August 2002
Politicians unite in condemnation of paramilitary violence
Talks to try to bring an end to sectarian violence at interfaces have ended in general agreement but without a definitive action plan, however the main political parties are expected to continue discussions at a later date.
Politicians unite in condemnation of paramilitary violence
Talks to try to bring an end to sectarian violence at interfaces have ended in general agreement but without a definitive action plan, however the main political parties are expected to continue discussions at a later date.
01 August 2002
Interface violence tackled at Stormont meeting
Local political representatives spent two-hours locked in Stormont talks aimed at tackling 'interface' violence. The meeting, which was chaired by NIO Minister, Des Browne was attended by all but three of the local political parties. It follows escalation of violence at sectarian interfaces, especially in north Belfast, over past months.
Interface violence tackled at Stormont meeting
Local political representatives spent two-hours locked in Stormont talks aimed at tackling 'interface' violence. The meeting, which was chaired by NIO Minister, Des Browne was attended by all but three of the local political parties. It follows escalation of violence at sectarian interfaces, especially in north Belfast, over past months.
03 August 2001
Mayor of Belfast hold cross community talks
Political leaders on the Belfast City Council have called for an end to violence on the streets of the city. A meeting was called by the new Lord Mayor of Belfast Jim Rodgers in an attempt to find a solution to the recent upsurge in violence most notably in north Belfast.
Mayor of Belfast hold cross community talks
Political leaders on the Belfast City Council have called for an end to violence on the streets of the city. A meeting was called by the new Lord Mayor of Belfast Jim Rodgers in an attempt to find a solution to the recent upsurge in violence most notably in north Belfast.
02 August 2001
Politicians meet to discuss ways to end violence
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams have held private talks about the recent upsurge in violence in Northern Ireland.
Politicians meet to discuss ways to end violence
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams have held private talks about the recent upsurge in violence in Northern Ireland.
16 July 2013
Unionists 'Must Support Police' - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has called on unionist MLAs to confirm their support for the police following four consecutive nights of rioting over 12 July parades. "All sides must condemn the recent violence without equivocation. Unionist leaders do not seem to be able to condemn the violence without adding in a 'but' at the end," he said.
Unionists 'Must Support Police' - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has called on unionist MLAs to confirm their support for the police following four consecutive nights of rioting over 12 July parades. "All sides must condemn the recent violence without equivocation. Unionist leaders do not seem to be able to condemn the violence without adding in a 'but' at the end," he said.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
