RUC attack protesters
By Eoin O'Broin
Two Sinn Féin Youth activists were arrested and several others
physically attacked and threatened during a Disband the RUC
protest at Cushendall RUC barracks last Sunday.
The protest, which involved 50 young people from Antrim and
Belfast, was the first SF Youth protest to be held in the North
Antrim area.
The protesters made their way to the part time RUC barracks. One
youth climbed the fence of the barracks and hung a tricolour.
Within seconds the RUC moved in, pushing people to the ground and
arresting the youth who had hung the flag. After several minutes
of negotiations between the protesters and the RUC, the young man
was released and the protest proceeded.
After almost an hour, an impromptu march was held into the town
centre. As the protesters walked peacefully in single file,
chanting `SS RUC', they were accompanied by about 20 RUC men on
the opposite side of the road. As the march approached its
destination, the RUC drew their batons and raced towards the
crowd. One youth who was leading the crowd was arrested, several
others verbally abuse and attacked, and a number of Basque
visitors who were taking part in the protest were also assaulted.
The arrested youth was released shortly after having been
cautioned with disorderly behaviour. And the protesters ended the
demonstration.
North Antrim Sinn Féin Youth spokesperson Catherine O'Hagan said,
``The behaviour of the RUC is yet another example of why such a
sectarian force should be disbanded. Both arrests were totally
unnecessary and conducted with an unacceptable amount of force.
Protesters were threatened physically and verbally, some were
attacked. When confronted as to why the arrests were made, an RUC
man said ``there may be foreign visitors who may take offence to
the protest''. He was obviously unaware that the only tourists in
the town were Basques accompanying the protest who themselves
were subject to physical and verbal abuse. What the RUC don't
realise is that their bully boy tactics has only strengthened the
resolve of our youth to continue such protests until the RUC is
totally disbanded''.
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