For Immediate Release Press and Media Release Contact: Winston Irvine Cllr Julie-Anne Corr has urged the wider Loyalist and Unionist community to support the members of Pride of Ardoyne Flute Band who were arrested, a decision she called punitive and unjustified. Cllr Corr said, It beggars belief that people have been arrested for playing musical instruments in an area that is predominately protestant. This further demonstrates the failings of the Parades Commission legislation and how its application is punitive and unjust. Cllr Corr said, The daily protest at Twaddell has been peaceful and well managed and this contrasts with the actions of republicans who have fired live ammunition rounds, carried out a knife attack and vandalised the Civil Rights camp on a number of occasions. Cllr Corr said, Despite this, it seems like the focus is on punishing Loyalists and dragging them through the courts. This appears to be just another part of the wider agenda to criminalise Loyalists and I would urge the entire community to support those who have been arrested. Cllr Corr continued, I would ask what anyone could hope to achieve by giving young people criminal records for standing up for civil rights and their own right to cultural expression. End.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:33:43 +0000