Sinn Féin Protest British Armed Forces Day in Craigavon

Local Sinn Féin members held a protest against the marking of British Armed Forces day at Craigavon Civic Centre, this past Saturday. The protest comes after the recent decision by unionist members of Council, to fly the specially commissioned flag. The issue has been contentious for sometime and is currently under investigation by the Equality Commission.

Sinn Féin Councillor Johnny McGibbon commented,

“It is worth noting that the decision to fly this flag was taken without any equality or legal advice. The UUP and DUP decided to use the opportunity to mark out territory and send a signal to the nationalist/republican community that they are not welcome in Craigavon Civic Centre. The ripple effect of this type of poor leadership can be seen in Lurgan and Portadown town centres, where the erection of illegal bunting and flags has made the town centre economically barren.”

Spokesperson for Ógra Shinn Féin, who helped organise the protest, Tiarna McCorry said,

“The nationalist experience of the recent conflict is part of our history and cannot be dismissed. Equality in civic and public spaces is the right of all sections of the community. Today’s protest was organised to highlight our dissatisfaction for this triumphalist display, and to publicly show our support for the families and victims of state violence and collusion.”