Ardoyne and Carrick Hill residents resist "tour of hate"!
Friday the 19th of June 2009 was another step forward for reinvigorated North Belfast nationalists and republicans. Again,
loyalism in its most distilled form ie the Orange Order, was on
display at Carrick Hill and Ardoyne shops. The ritual attempted humiliation
commenced with a parade past Carrick Hill, its residents hemmed in by
the RUC/PSNI tactical support units. Once they had successfully
marched past this area twice they proceeded towards Ardoyne.
At
Ardoyne shops 'blue bibbed' men were unable to contain residents
protesting against this unwanted and completely unnecessary invasion
of their area.
People poured onto the road and made their
feelings clear to both marchers and the PSNI. While loyalists
attempted, with the help of the PSNI, to trample nationalist human
rights under foot they were met with dignified opposition by the
republican community of Ardoyne!.
It is important to understand that we are now living in the 21st Century and that under United Nations Charter Article 13 it states
•(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state ie not to be arbitarily imprisoned in their estate.
Again, Article 12. states that
•No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
If such sectarian marches are permitted by the state and the police used to impose the marchers will it undermines the fabric of equality within this island. It then assigns sections of the nationalist community to the status of second class citizens in relation to their basic human rights.
These marches set back working class unity and foster sectarian division and distrust. This latest display at Ardoyne and Carrick Hill simply undermines the concept of 'Equality for All' on this island be they Protestant, Catholic, dissenter or Jew!
Carrick Hill sealed off for Orange Parade 2009
