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.

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Comments (3 of 3)

Not residents

by Former Ardoyne Resident

Tue Jul 20, 2010 09:51

No religion good sentiments except the sit down protest was not carried out by the residents, it was the dissident republicans who were not from the area. The residents were prevented from having their protest by this lot.

Good to see

by No Religion

Sun Jul 18, 2010 20:06

I think the sit down protest was carried out well by the majority of the residents and non violent protests like this are good to see. I hope that in the future instead of goinh out rioting and damaging thier own communities the youth will participate in this form of protest.

The rioting over the 12th was disgraceful and that energy could be better put to use but Im sure most of those involved were just doing it for the craic and to look like hard lads in front of their peers. I also thought that how the police dealt with the violence was quite restrained and should be acknowledged as a far from perfect but improved method of handling riots in Northern Ireland. Thankfully they didnt charge in with batons raised and firing at every petrol bomber. it was a controlled response and almost a little too soft...

please see sense

by Saddend

Sat Jul 17, 2010 16:56

Glad to see it said above but sorry it had to be said in the first place. The "Heroes" who engaged in the volence over the last couple of days and nights have done nothing for their communities except cause grief and hassel. Totally diverted the emphasis away from the dignified protest and taited the said protests with their actions. The money that their nights of "Fun" has cost would have been better spent providing health care or for much needed projects, but no it's going to be wasted paying compensation and insurance claims and ironically enough over time payments for the psni.

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RUC/PSNI Show Complete Disregard For Ardoyne Community

Comments (3 of 3)