Tonight, at a flag protest in Belfast, an elderly man asked to pass in his car.
His wife was dying in Hospital.
The protesters laughed. They sang. The song was “Cheerio”.
He did not get through.
All of this has been broadcast on local radio tonight. I will post a link (Audio only) when I can.
Link here. Listen at 2:07
Tonights events regarding the elderly gentleman who was blocked from getting to his dying wife have changed this dynamic. As always it is a human story that has revealed the truth. A non democratic compromise via alliance or a pan unionist alliance solution is now a non starter. Sometimes you need to talk and try to reason with unreasonable people. When they go beyond a certain point you need to stand firm.
I know which camp I am in now. I am in the camp of that poor man.
Words fail me.
Depressing…..it is a bit like the Quinn children in Ballymoney several years ago. This story puts the Flegs in context.
Lets hope it puts things in context for the “Parents” who taught their children the hate that we have seen
No bones for mad dogs.
The British(paliament and Government) need to tell these guys that if they want to keep flying the flag at all – then they need to behave.
Sammy,
I’ve just updated with an audio link it. They need to be locked up
bd,
I heard it on Radio Ulster earlier – the tv (BBC) tried to broadcast it but it didnt come across.
I heard some sort of story (I think a flags guy was being interviewed) about the police apologising/explaing their actions to the protesters and having some sort of understanding – does this mean that they can just block the roads without being moved?
How long until the G8? Dave must be checking out the alternatives.
There will be no problems in Fermanagh, I have it on good authority. I have just commented to FJH that up to now I was an interested observer on the flag thing. Now I am actually angry. Not like me. After what I have linked above, there are no excuses. It is not about flags anymore, it is about a man who could be any of us. Game over
Disgusting behaviour but entirely in character for the type of people that proudly erect signs or wear tee-shirts emblazoned with the acronyms “KAT” and “FAP”.
The media need to drop the phrase “flag protesters” and replace it with the correct expression: “anti-democracy protesters”.
I agree. I think rather than tea and biscuits with Peter it is time they were questioned publicly. When I hold my national flag I do it proudly and respectfully. Not with a scarf round my face.
re. “i think rather than tea and biscuits with Peter it is time they were questioned publicly”
..that will include one of his councillors in Derry who was on telly tonight.
Agreed Sammy. Thats twice in a day! Bad habits etc….
BD,
re. Fermanagh – only 5 months until the G8. See below from Newsletter.
“For over an hour there were simultaneous road blocks in the north, east and south of the city, as well as in Bangor, Newtownards, Coleraine, Londonderry, Omagh, Enniskillen and several other major towns.”
Seems to have been peaceful Sammy, that’s fair enough.
http://www.impartialreporter.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/01/11/399450-loyalists-parade-through-enniskillen-over-removal-of-union-flag/
BD,
re. “Seems to have been peaceful Sammy, that’s fair enough.”
How do think a peaceful G8 protest in Fermanagh would go down or indeed someone trying yo get soemwhere (e.g. visit a realtive in hospital) if they cant get through a (peaceful) protest and have their car turned away by the police.
As I understand it the police did not attempt to clear the protesters to let motorists through in Belfast – is that how you see it?
Sammy,
I would defend the right to peaceful protest, including at the G8.
The law states that blocking roads is unlawful. The Belfast and Carrick protests have gone beyond that point not just legally but morally and ethically.
The protestors have managed to completely lose any sympathy they had in the wider population by their actions.
Excellent article on SOT by Gerry Lynch btw.
http://sluggerotoole.com/2013/01/12/leadership-thats-working/#comments
Absolutely excellent.
BD,
re. “I would defend the right to peaceful protest”
There is parades commission that regulates parades including those which are peaceful.
Given the reality of Ulster life, I fail to see the difference between ‘peaceful’ parades and ‘peaceful’ protests – the latter needs to be subject to the same constraints as the former – a view probably widely held by Nationlaists and sensible Prods – and all of those living in the Short Strand.
I see the Sunday World today is running with a split in the UVF. Between John Bunter Graham from West Belfast and Stephen Ugly Doris Matthews from East Belfast. Also in the same newspaper has Mike Nesbitt the UUP had a hair transplant? And Willie Frazer is no longer welcome in Loyalist East Belfast.
Hobo,
I didn’t see that but interesting news. What did wee Willie do to upset them?
He’s been outed as a Blueman!
a Whaaa……..?
Excuse my ignorance
A Blueman is a supporter of Linfield FC.
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