Symbols
and marches: your consent?
From IRISH NEWS July 6th, 2000
THE executive was restored on May 29 2000. So the agreement is up and running
again. Yet we still have problems. In this article we raise some of these:
flags and emblems, marching, and the principle of consent. How do you feel
about these?
FLAGS AND EMBLEMS
Unionists argue that since Northern Ireland remains part of the UK under
the agreement, republicans should at least tolerate the flag of the country
in which they reside. Republicans and many nationalists, for their part,
still want a united Ireland. So many have no allegiance to Northern Ireland.
They argue the agreement gives them equality. So either we fly both the
Union flag and the tricolour over government buildings, or neither. The
parties who accepted the agreement committed themselves to use symbols and
emblems 'in a manner which promotes mutual respect rather than division'.
Questions:
1. For unionists Why is it necessary to fly the flag of the state over police
stations? To what extent are flags used by loyalists as a weapon against
each other rather than as a celebration of Britishness?
2. For nationalists Under the agreement there will be no change in the constitutional
status of Northern Ireland without the consent of the majority, north and
south. Since republicans have accepted this, what is the problem with accepting
the flag of the UK? In what way is it right to be part of a government while
not accepting the symbols of the state on whose behalf the government governs?
3. Questions for all of us Should there be a new flag or symbol for Northern
Ireland? If so, how would it show respect for different identities? In your
local area how much are flags used to express national identity, or to mark
out territory?
MARCHING
Rows over marching are a symptom of deep and complex disagreements. Drumcree
is an example, but the problem is much wider.
Unionist feelings Many of us are at breaking point and feel we've given
all we can: Early release of prisoners Marches re-routed Power-sharing North-south
structures Sinn Fein in government We could have swallowed some of these,
but not all We get blamed for violence, like Drumcree, even though we were
not responsible.
Republicans caused murder and mayhem for 30 years, yet in the end their
prisoners walked free It doesn't matter if we our parades are peaceful or
not: either way the Parades Commission re-routes us. So what incentive do
we have to try to control others' violence?
Every re-routed parade is one more piece of territory lost to us. Soon there
will be nothing left. Where is the parity of esteem for our identity and
religion? Protest groups by residents are simply a cover for republicans.
Other unionists take a different view.
They feel the Orange Order's refusal to compromise is a major block in the
parades issue. They also believe the order has lost sight of its religious
values by concentrating on political issues: 'It's not the order we joined,
and because of this many of us are leaving, even though this really pains
us'
Nationalist feelings
Orangemen march through our areas like we don't exist. We feel oppressed
and humiliated Orange marches are triumphalist and blatantly anti-Catholic
We resent the refusal of Orangemen to talk to us. If they treated us with
respect we wouldn't object to marches Every time the British beat us off
the road they give into the Orange veto We don't want to march through Protestant
areas, and we couldn't if we wanted to.
Why treat Orangemen differently? Where is the parity of esteem in marches?
Loyalist paramilitaries are using marches to intimidate Catholics. Other
nationalists do not feel as strongly about marches. They say: 'They have
always been there, so why not accept them?'
Questions:
1. For unionists Will you ever be able to march in peace without building
a relationship with nationalists and republicans? Do you understand the
feelings of nationalists opposed to violence who resent Orange marches going
through nationalist areas?
2. For nationalists Do you understand the feelings of Orangemen who see
their marches as genuinely religious? Are Orange marches in nationalist
areas a symbol of triumph or of insecurity?
3. For all of us Both unionists and nationalists feel anger, humiliation
and rejection around marches. Why? Why have so many unionists and nationalists
wrecked their own areas in riots over this issue? If you do not accept Parades
Commission decisions what other body should make the decisions? How can
you minimise any negative impact that your parade or protest will have on
other areas? |
