Unionists try to censor St. Patrick festivities
By Mary Maguire
The Belfast St. Patrick's Carnival will go ahead, despite a concerted
effort by unionists and elements of the SDLP to torpedo what was
designed to be an inclusive and cross-community day of festivities. A
national and international appeal to Irish people throughout the
world to help secure the funding needed is underway.
Speaking at the launch of the Carnival, Caitríona Ruane, Joint Chair
of the Carnival Committee said: ``From the beginning, unionists have
tried to undermine the event and when they failed to do so, they ran
to the press and made all sorts of allegations... They continued
right through. Finally, they succeeded in withdrawing vital funding.''
On Friday, only seven weeks before the major event, Belfast City
Council decided to withdraw £50 000 of vital financial support. This
followed a move by DUP councillor Sammy Wilson, supported by the
PUP's Billy Hutchinson, to withdraw financial backing. As the
differences came to focus on the issue of flags, the organisers
promoted a neutral, blue smiley-faced flag printed in Irish, Ulster
Scots, English and Chinese.
As the controversy spread, SDLP Alex Attwood proposed a motion
attempting to make St. Patrick's flag the official banner. In other
words, a loyalist flag, offensive to a majority of the nationalist
people was offered as the official flag of the event. This flag is
currently used in the emblem for the British Army's Irish Guards.
Alex Attwood's amendment also attempted to ensure that there could be
no display of the Irish national flag in Belfast on St Patrick's day.
The SDLP's abstention from the final vote allowed unionists to
formally copper-fasten the withdrawal of vital funding.
Caitríona Ruane also outlined the impossibility of enforcing any ban.
``We tried at all times not to politicise this event. We compromised
on many issues. And we don't want this to be reduced to a discussion
about flags. Unfortunately, it has become a political issue, so I
have to deal with flags. Some people wanted us to ban the tricolour.
If we have learnt anything in Belfast over the last 30 years, it is
that if you attempt to ban something, you have millions of them. What
we did was to go out of our way to ensure we had an inclusive event
where all flags are welcome.
``The DUP want us to put a ban on the Tricolour, and we won't do that.
The days of censorship in Belfast are over'', she added. Despite the
unionist sectarian show-off, backed by some elements of the SDLP, the
smile on the organisational Committee's face has not faded. Caitríona
Ruane concluded: ``This is everyone's city and therefore where
everyone's rights and culture are to be respected. Our events will do
that. We are calling on all to join with us and make this the biggest
and best celebration we have ever had.''
To show your support, make a donation:
St. Patrick's Carnival Committee
Bank of Ireland
Donegal Place
Belfast
Account number 492 436 52
Sort code 90-21-27