Loyalist mobs attacking Alliance Party offices and homes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20622185

Highlights so far include an office getting burned out, another attempted and a tin of paint thrown through the window of a couple of local councillors.

So far a few dozen police have been injured with no reports of injuries to the "protesters" and no reports of plastic bullets being used. Apparently now flags are being put up on the Ormeau Rd., a "mixed" area.


I, for one, am shocked at the tactics being used.

Truncheon Rouge

insert: (That black and white meme of a guy laughing)

Border-Rat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VTvFC7QNc0Q

Border-Rat

Apparently several Catholic primary schools in North Belfast were closed earlier today due to Loyalist picketing and intimidation.

karma_

Right lads, that's enough of this. Come back when there's some real news about nationalist violence.

Madam_X

In before "Well the provos are as bad" whataboutery mongs.

The Scientician

You'd feel sorry for the Alliance Party. Decent set of folk, really trying to help the north move beyond orange and green bullshít. Wish we had parties with their integrity down here in Mexico.

Micky Dolenz

Mod

If this goes the same way as the Belfast city hall thread the other night, bans will be handed out.

Only warning.

If you're unsure about what to post, don't.

DrumSteve

Its all they have in their lives really, isnt it?

Chuck Stone

Thers a lodda frustrayshin in tha yinyinist cyumuniddy

Defiler Of The Coffin

Democracy is great except when it goes against you of course

Pottler

I for one welcome the PSNIs new more restrained tactics when dealing with protesters and obviously this approach will be applied across the board no matter what creed the protesters might be. Otherwise, the suspicion of bias could arise and that would be shocking in this day and age..

Pottler

Pottler wrote: »

I for one welcome the PSNIs new more restrained tactics when dealing with protesters and obviously this approach will be applied across the board no matter what creed the protesters might be. Otherwise, the suspicion of bias could arise and that would be shocking in this day and age..

I fully agree.

El Weirdo

Deleted User wrote: »

...no reports of plastic bullets being used...

Really?

Police fired plastic bullets when they came under attack with bricks, bottles and other missiles in Carrickfergus, county Antrim, a few miles outside Belfast.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/northernireland/9728237/Second-night-of-Northern-Ireland-riots.html

I also heard reports of the same on the radio as well.

Good.

kumate_champ07

Truncheon Rouge wrote: »

insert: (That black and white meme of a guy laughing)

http://www.midulstermail.co.uk/webimage/1.4266004.1347635197!image/1721622871.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/1721622871.jpg

Sunnyisland

Defiler Of The Coffin wrote: »

Democracy is great except when it goes against you of course

At the autumn PUP conference and since, Billy Hutchinson has been pleading for loyalist communities to politicise. To quote...If working class loyalists, protestants and unionists don’t decide to politicise and to tackle the political system, then they’ll be left behind. That is the problem with our community. We need to get it right. We need to articulate our arguments politically.

We are perceived to be sectarian bigots and we are not. We need to get the language right, and we need to challenge those people who are running us down. The media have not been kind to us. But it’s not just the media. It’s other people who are violence-setting and who blame it on loyalists. They’re a bunch of sectarian thugs and that’s what happens.

Billy hutchinson might be right, but not everyone is listening or believing his message.

El Weirdo

Deleted User wrote: »

Good.

It also says so in the article you linked to.

Police fired a number of baton rounds at the crowd.

Lingua Franca

El Weirdo

El Weirdo wrote: »

It also says so in the article you linked to.

I was going by a report on BBC Newsline tonight, I just checked the article for confirmation of what happened at the councillors' house.

Cabaal

Border-Rat wrote: »

Apparently several Catholic primary schools in North Belfast were closed earlier today due to Loyalist picketing and intimidation.

If thats the case then I hope these people all feel like "big men" for intimidating children.....what a bunch of low lifes

Border-Rat

Spiritual

It's not nice when people don't have a voice.

Wait, what, oh the Loyalists are not being listen to. Sorry, carry on.

Red Crow

Cabaal wrote: »

If thats the case then I hope these people all feel like "big men" for intimidating children.....what a bunch of low lifes

This, they are all a bunch of low life wasters. The sooner those idiotic mindsets die out the sooner we can have peace.

laoch na mona

so much for reconciliation and peace building

Chuck Stone

realies wrote: »

Billy Hutchinson has been pleading for loyalist communities to politicise.

The man talks sense (he often does). There's a serious dearth of positive leadership in working class loyalist areas which is nothing new.

Ghandee

The really bizarre thing about these so called loyalists outrage, is that the very person they're all 'loyal' to, the flag doesn't even fly non-stop outside get own residency ffs.

The Union Flag was originally a Royal flag. When the present design was made official in 1801, it was ordered to be flown on all the King's forts and castles, but not elsewhere.

It is today flown above Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Sandringham when The Queen is not in residence.

The Royal Arms of Scotland (Lion Rampant) is flown at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Balmoral when The Queen is not in residence.

On news of a Royal death, the Union Flag (or the Royal Arms of Scotland (Lion Rampant) where appropriate) is flown at half-mast.

The Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast, as the Sovereign never dies (the new monarch immediately succeeds his or her predecessor).

But really, to avoid anymore trouble, her majesty herself should just order its removal tbh, save all the hassle and any more violence.

The flying of the Union Flag on public buildings is decided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at The Queen's command.

Its only a flag tbh, I couldn't care less what they hang from the mast outside the city hall though.

Its like they constantly need to remind convince themselves they're not in an Irish city.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx

Cabaal

Cabaal wrote: »

If thats the case then I hope these people all feel like "big men" for intimidating children.....what a bunch of low lifes

Sure look at the Holy Cross debacle, it's been known for years that they don't like schoolchildren.

Chuck Stone wrote: »

The man talks sense (he often does). There's a serious dearth of positive leadership in working class loyalist areas which is nothing new.

Pity David Ervine isn't still around.

AckwelFoley

It's rather harsh to brand all loyalists by the actions of a few idiots

.jacksparrow.

AckwelFoley wrote: »

It's rather harsh to brand all loyalists by the actions of a few idiots

Same goes for republicans.

Ghandee

AckwelFoley wrote: »

It's rather harsh to brand all lo Iyalists by the actions of a few idiots

I agree, just like republicans, there can be morons and thugs on both sides.

Death and Taxes

For years Unionists expoused the need for republicans to adopt purely democratic ways, well some of these ubionist have gone very quiet the last few days, seems some people only want democracy when it suits them.

Madam_X

.jacksparrow. wrote: »

Same goes for republicans.

Whataboutery is whataboutery - this thread isn't about republicans. It goes without saying that to tar all non violent, non sectarian loyalists or republicans with the same brush is the same way these thugs think.

Rodin

WileyCoyote wrote: »

For years Unionists expoused the need for republicans to adopt purely democratic ways, well some of these ubionist have gone very quiet the last few days, seems some people only want democracy when it suits them.

Looks like some of them have changed little since they set foot on the island

Madam_X

WileyCoyote wrote: »

For years Unionists expoused the need for republicans to adopt purely democratic ways, well some of these ubionist have gone very quiet the last few days, seems some people only want democracy when it suits them.

Have they definitely gone quiet? We could hear statements from them yet. Billy Hutchinson has spoken out.

pablomakaveli

And some people would love us to be unified with this place. A perfect advertisement against that.

It is a shame to see decent people being yet again subjected to this crap though.

ToddyDoody

My theory is that the whole being British thing gained religious significance because, technically, the king / queen is the head of the church of England as well as the nation

woodoo

WileyCoyote wrote: »

For years Unionists expoused the need for republicans to adopt purely democratic ways, well some of these ubionist have gone very quiet the last few days, seems some people only want democracy when it suits them.

They showed a hundred years ago with the Ulster covenant that democracy is not number 1 with them.. getting their own way is number one with them.

It is so so important that decisions made are not back-tracked on because a few thousand loyalists riot and try to intimidate. They have got away with that for a hundred years.

WakeUp

I know hardcore Loyalist terrorists and scumbags lack intelligence but even for them this was highly stupid. The first time in history that Sinn Fein voted for or recognised their right to fly their flag - even if it was a compromise - and what do they do they go out and wreck the place attacking politicians homes not to mention storming that buliding after a democratic vote.

The moderate elements of Unionism would be wise to use whatever power they have to stop this sort of thing happening again. There are Irish and British people in the North and there always will be. The days of the Unionists having things all their own way are long since gone and they aint coming back its called progress. Radical Loyalist scum/terrorists would do well to recognise this and build a shared future with their neighbours and the indigenous population of the entire island not just in the north.

everdead.ie

More "minor" disturbances tonight with an expected large enough turn out tomorrow for a demonstration.

The loyalists (uup an dup as well considering the pamphlets they were handing out) in my opinion are alienating moderates and nationalists and are surely going to damage the unionist cause with the destruction of property and there antics.

Would people tend to agree with that or would you think that they are galvanising their support?

woodoo

everdead.ie wrote: »

More "minor" disturbances tonight with an expected large enough turn out tomorrow for a demonstration?

This is recreation for many of them track suit clad loyalists. They don't have a lot of money i'd imagine so this is their cheap night out.

super_furry

The world is moving on without these people. It's happening slowly but it's happening.

dttq

Can't Northern Ireland move beyond the 17th century for once? Religious based violence hasn't been a feature of European life for over 300 years. Norn Iron is a cringeworthy embarrassment in this sense. Then again the sectarian idiots on both sides in the North probably couldn't string a sentence together, let alone explain two actual differences between Protestantism or Catholicism, or what the Reformation was about.

No doubt this sort of neantherthal mindless thuggery will continue to plague the North for many decades to come. Oh yeah and god save us from religion (no pun intended).

dttq

ToddyDoody wrote: »

My theory is that the whole being British thing gained religious significance because, technically, the king / queen is the head of the church of England as well as the nation

Aren't most N.I. Protestants more Presbyterian though?

newmug

ToddyDoody wrote: »

My theory is that the whole being British thing gained religious significance because, technically, the king / queen is the head of the church of England as well as the nation

No offence, but duh!!!!

[-0-]

Flying of the flag on designated days is the norm throughout Scotland,Wales and over 36% of council buildings in England, it's only the right wing Unionist parties in Stormont that have a problem with it. It was a democratic decision, Belfast isn't a majority Unionist city anymore so unionism had better get used to votes like this going against them.

A Dub in Glasgo

Loyalists again attack democracy. They are the most undemocratic people in these parts and have proved it again.

guinnessdrinker

dttq wrote: »

Can't Northern Ireland move beyond the 17th century for once? Religious based violence hasn't been a feature of European life for over 300 years. Norn Iron is a cringeworthy embarrassment in this sense. Then again the sectarian idiots on both sides in the North probably couldn't string a sentence together, let alone explain two actual differences between Protestantism or Catholicism, or what the Reformation was about.

No doubt this sort of neantherthal mindless thuggery will continue to plague the North for many decades to come. Oh yeah and god save us from religion (no pun intended).

Wish this was true but try saying that to anyone from Bosnia, Kosovo or Serbia.

Anyway the violence in the North is not about religion. Anyone that thinks the conflict was over religion is uninformed.

Seaneh

dttq wrote: »

Can't Northern Ireland move beyond the 17th century for once? Religious based violence hasn't been a feature of European life for over 300 years. Norn Iron is a cringeworthy embarrassment in this sense. Then again the sectarian idiots on both sides in the North probably couldn't string a sentence together, let alone explain two actual differences between Protestantism or Catholicism, or what the Reformation was about.

No doubt this sort of neantherthal mindless thuggery will continue to plague the North for many decades to come. Oh yeah and god save us from religion (no pun intended).

It's not religious based, it's ethnicity based.

It's nationalist/republican one side, Unionist/Loyalist on the other.

The religion is secondary and not the cause of the problems.

Seaneh

guinnessdrinker wrote: »

Wish this was true but try saying that to anyone from Bosnia, Kosovo or Serbia.

Anyway the violence in the North is not about religion. Anyone that thinks the conflict was over religion is uninformed.

Again, the problems in the former Yugoslav states was national identity, not religion. People considered themselves Croat, or Bosnian or Albanian and not Serbian, and didn't want to be ruled from Belgrade.

laoch na mona

Seaneh wrote: »

Again, the problems in the former Yugoslav states was national identity, not religion. People considered themselves Croat, or Bosnian or Albanian and not Serbian, and didn't want to be ruled from Belgrade.

just like the north
people consider themselves Irish or British and the Irish don't want to be ruled from London and the British don't want to be ruled from Dublin