Call Off 'Operation Standstill', Protesters Urged

The Alliance Party and SDLP have criticised the decision to hold further flag protests this evening, in what has been described as an attempt to bring Northern Ireland to a stand still.

Unionists and loyalists are protesting a decision by Belfast City Council to limit the number of days the union flag will fly above City Hall.

Over 100 arrests have been made, over 80 people charged and over 60 police officers injured since the protests began on 3 December.

Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson remarked: "This protest has got nothing to do with a flag, it is about a major disconnect that has developed between protesters and those unionists that they have previously looked to for political representation," he said.

"Despite the intimidation and lies told about the Alliance Party, we engage with everyone to move Northern Ireland beyond our bitter divisions into a genuine shared future.

"As a result of the protests on Friday, traders will lose business, employees who leave work early could lose earnings and commuters will likely face severe traffic disruption.

"The continued disruption caused by protesters is actually turning supporters against them as most people just want to get on with their lives, taking their children to after school activities and socialising with friends."

SDLP Policing spokesperson Conall McDevitt has called on organisers to rethink the decision to mount what is expected to be the largest protest so far this evening.

He said: "We recognise and support the right of people to assemble lawfully and protest peacefully, but given the violence arising from the most recent protests, I would urge protest organisers to reflect deeply on the possible outcomes of their demonstrations, especially given that the vast majority of citizens will view further protests as highly intimidating.

"With political efforts ongoing and the destructive legacy of last week’s protests fresh in the public’s minds, there can only be one response from the PSNI to any further illegal activity arising from protests, and that is zero tolerance."

(IT)