RUC/PSNI Show Complete Disregard For Ardoyne Community

international | crime and justice | press release Friday July 16, 2010 08:35 by RNU PRO - Republican Network for Unity (RNU)

‘RNU commends the dignity displayed by Ardoyne residents who held a successful sit-down protest against the triumphalist march forced through their community on the Twelfth.

The REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) Belfast Chairperson, CARL REILLY, has stated that the RUC/PSNI have shown a complete disregard for the rights of the people of Ardoyne. Speaking after the latest incursion into the area by the same paramilitary force, Mr. Reilly said;

‘RNU commends the dignity displayed by Ardoyne residents who held a successful sit-down protest against the triumphalist march forced through their community on the Twelfth.

Despite, taunts, beatings and brutal arrests witnessed by local people, political activists and of course the media. The protesters remained dignified throughout, even though surrounded by police dogs and several hundred RUC/PSNI members. The protesters were exhausted staving off constant rough attempts to remove them from the road, but their determination to prevent the march from going through Ardoyne shone through. It took several hours to remove the demonstrators in full view of national and international media.

At 7.25pm, RUC/PSNI storm troopers made their first totally unprovoked charge at the supporters present. Despite people telling PSNI members that this was a peaceful protest, they charged again at 7.45pm, during which women were assaulted with batons. The draconian swamping of streets, harassing of residents by the huge number of riot-clad and hostile militia guaranteed that the youth of the area were provoked into responding as they did.

We also reject the anti-social element who engaged in vandalism and the stealing of cars. That only diverted attention away from the issue of sectarian parades. As such, we urge these people to stay away from residents protests in future if that is their only contribution!
RNU was proud to sit in unity alongside other Republican groups and residents to challenge the coat-trailing parade through Ardoyne. Our Network will continue to vigorously mount disciplined opposition to sectarianism in all its forms.

Mr. Reilly concluded by denouncing the indiscriminate firing of scores of plastic bullets in subsequent days by British Police. These abhorrent devices have no place in 21st Century Ireland.