éirígí Supports Ardoyne Residents

éirígí general secretary Breandán Mac Cionnaith has reiterated the socialist republican party’s support for the nationalist residents of Ardoyne as the north Belfast community braces itself for Monday’s Orange Order incursion.

The Orange Order and unionist hangers-on have been given permission to pass the nationalist Ardoyne shops area – the scene of many sectarian killings – on both Monday morning and afternoon. Residents have campaigned against the coat-trailing procession for many years.

Last year, the PSNI opened fire on nationalist protestors with plastic bullets, injuring several people, including a number of children.

Mac Cionnaith said: “Hundreds of heavily armed PSNI officers will descend on Ardoyne on Monday to ensure that this patently obvious sectarian coat-trailing exercise goes ahead unimpeded.

“Obviously ignoring its own decision-making criteria, it is apparent that the Six County Parades Commission opted not to consider the massive negative impact this march would have on the community in Ardoyne, nor does it appear that the Commission took into consideration, as it is obliged to do, the European Convention rights of those men, women and children who live in the area.

“The Commission also clearly ignored the fact that the large-scale PSNI operation which this outrageous decision will entail will inevitably cause additional and completely unnecessary disruption and harassment to the local community, with even further infringements upon the rights of residents.”

Mac Cionnaith continued: “It is difficult to explain the huge sense of outrage, humiliation and fear which this sectarian incursion will bring onto the streets of Ardoyne. There can be no logical decision for this march to proceed other than to reinforce the age-old message of ‘Croppy, lie down’.

“éirígí supports the residents’ right to object to this unjustified and unnecessary parade and the residents’ right to live free from sectarian harassment.”