Fascists on the march in Belfast

Posted by Jim on June 16, 2018

 

A rally by far-right unionists and neo-Nazis at Belfast City hall last
weekend has raised concerns over the increased visibility of fringe
loyalist groups ahead of the sectarian marching season.

The march was in support of Tommy Robinson, the founder of the far-right
English Defence League, who was jailed last week in England for contempt
of court.

Notorious unionist councillor Jolene Bunting organised the protest at
which loyalists made Nazi salutes outside Belfast City Hall. Black and
yellow flags of the extreme racist group Generation Identity were
displayed at the rally, and there were a series of inflammatory speeches
by Bunting and other prominent figures of Britain’s far-right.

SDLP representative Donal Lyons, who has previously filed complaints
regarding Bunting’s behaviour, said it is not hard to understand the
message the extreme unionist was trying to send.

“Bringing a group of men, many of whom came over from England
especially, to mill around outside Belfast City Hall throwing Nazi
salutes, waving white supremacist flags and shouting about their racism,
is as clear a signal as you could find,” he said.

Councillor Lyons said the demonstration should not be dismised as a “few
isolated individuals with anger issues” but warned if left unchecked,
“they will in time pose a threat”.

Loyalists have also provocatively erected an ‘Orange Arch’ in north
Belfast. It took place with the active support of the PSNI police, who
blocked the road while the arch was being raised.

Activists from the Belfast branch of republican political party Saoradh
condemn the structure and the PSNI’s involvement. Posting on Facebook, a
party spokesperson said: “Having been contacted by local residents,
Saoradh Beal Feirste condemn the annual display of sectarian bigotry via
an illegal Orange arch in the centre of Glengormley being built this
evening.”

Pointing to the changed demographics of Glengormley which show the
immediate area is mainly nationalist, the spokesperson said the display
should be removed immediately “as it simply exists in order to try and
intimidate the majority community in the local area”.

Meanwhile, an application by a newly constituted branch of the
anti-Catholic Orange Order to march through a largely nationalist area
of north Belfast has drawn criticism from Sinn Fein. Led by Gerry Kelly,
a Sinn Fein delegation met the Parades Commission to protest. He said
there had already been a significant number of objections from
residents.

Saoradh’s Dee Fennell and long-time campaigner against sectarian parades
in north Belfast was scathing of Kelly’s intervention. “Sinn Fein
opposes Orange marches in their new leafy suburb heartlands, but
facilitates them in Ardoyne,” he tweeted.

But Mr Kelly said there had never been a parade by in the area
previously. “We have received several calls and emails from residents
worried and angered by this development. It is a mixed area and clearly
this application would create tensions if approved,” he said.

“I urge those involved not to go ahead with their planned march out of
respect for community relations. The last thing north Belfast needs is
another contentious parade.”