Offensive
flags? Not in our street.
From IRISH NEWS June 21st, 2000
By Jonathan Turner
PETER Robinson's pledge to bring down flags and emblems wherever they are
regarded as offensive was given a mixed reaction on the streets of Belfast
yesterday.
Many people seemed to believe that erecting flags to reflect feelings in
their own area was a good thing. But residents of the Short Strand and the
Newtownards Road both agreed that in certain areas they would like to see
flags taken down. Margaret Lawlor, from the Short Strand, said she didn't
approve of the number of loyalist flags which had gone up nearby.
Two UVF flags were recently erected on a lamppost on the Newtownards road
opposite St Matthew's church. "They put flags outside a row of pensioners'
bungalows as well. If anyone said anything about it they would come and
stone them."
She added: "They can put flags up in their own areas all they want. If
we want we can put tricolours up in our districts. We have rights as well."
George Walsh, also from the Short Strand, said he didn't mind the presence
of flags. "It doesn't really annoy me one way or the other, " he said. "The
flags issue has been going for years and it is just a question of marking
out territory now as far as I can see." He added: "We put our flags up in
our community and they put theirs up in their communities. I don't see any
difference."
On the loyalist Newtownards Road, some people believed that flags should
come down - as long as offensive tricolours went first. Robert Dixon said
he found tricolours offensive, but not the flags on his road. "They don't
bother us at all, " he said. "If you go across the Albert Bridge the first
thing you see is two tricolours. I find that offensive. "If they want to
come and start taking down flags well that's all right. But they had better
start by taking down the tricolours first."
As well as areas where they are deemed offensive, Mr Robinson also pledged
to tackle flags where they might present a danger to road safety. One woman
from the Newtownards Road, who didn't want to be named, said the flags were
hardly a problem for drivers. "To me they are not doing any harm. They are
no threat to traffic, they are too high up." |
