Republican News · Thursday 29 May 2003

Ógra occupies Belfast electoral office

Up to 20 members of Ógra Shinn Féin staged a sit-in protest at the main Belfast electoral office in Church Lane in Belfast City Centre on Thursday 22 May.

gry at the British government's decision to postpone Thursday's electon, the Ógra protesters decided to take some direct action.

As the group forced their way into the building, they were confronted by a staff member, who warned them that he would call in the PSNI.

Undeterred, the activists took over the entrance hall of the building, where they staged their peaceful protest. When the PSNI did come on the scene, the protesters told them they would continue the protest but that they would not hinder anyone with business in the electoral office.

The Ógra protesters left after 45 minutes.

They were accompanied by Sinn Féin Councillor Michael Ferguson, who was selected by the party to contest the Assembly electon in West Belfast. He told An Phoblacht that "people are angry that the British government, which on the one hand preaches about democracy, has denied to the electorate in the Six Counties their right to exercise the democratic right by cancelling the Assembly election set for Thursday".