Belfast rally against sectarianism

Saturday August 03, 2002 08:39

by McMean

Thousands of people turned out for an anti-sectarianism rally at Belfast city hall.

The demonstration was called following the sectarian murder of
north Belfast teenager Gerard Lawlor last week. The 19-year-old
Catholic was shot dead by the UDA as he walked home after a night
out.

Backed by trade unions, church leaders and nearly all the
political parties, Mr Maskey, Belfast's first Sinn Fein Mayor,
had called the huge demonstration after Catholic teenager Gerard
Lawlor was gunned down by the loyalist UDA two weeks ago.

Several thousand heeded the call and took to the street outside
City Hall. Only the hard-line Democratic Unionists boycotted
today's rally.

The Sinn Fein Lord Mayor told the crowd it could make a
difference.

After launching the anti-sectarian rally with a period of silence
for the recent victims of the violence, he said: "Homes are being
wrecked and people are being killed. Stop now"

"Please consider this rally today as the formal public launch of
our anti-sectarian campaign."

The crowd also heard Bob Gourley of the Irish Congress of Trade
Unions spell out a startling message.

He said: "The evil purveyors of bigotry have declared war on us
all and wished to ensure that the legacy of hatred continued."

"To each and every one of you in attendance here today,
sectarianism kills all of us and we must all fight against
sectarianism at every opportunity in our workplaces, societies,
clubs, as well as in our immediate and extended families."

Marie McColgan, mother of Catholic postman Daniel McColgan who
was shot dead by loyalists earlier this year, was among those
present.

After the rally Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams called on people
to unite against sectarianism.

"Today's rally sends out a clear statement that ordinary people
in Belfast want their political and civic leaders to unite
against the scourge of sectarianism," the West Belfast MP said.

"Sectarian violence is the biggest threat to the peace process at
this time.

"I commend the Mayor of Belfast, the City Council, the churches,
[business leaders] and trades unions for organising today's
rally."

* Healthcare workers held a one-day stoppage on Thursday after
loyalist paramilitaries posted a bullet to one of their number.
More than 400 healthcare employees took part in their own rally
against sectarian threats at Transport House in Belfast
yesterday.

* Meanwhile, a church in north Belfast has been badly damaged in
an arson attack overnight.

The fire at the Whitehouse Presbyterian Church on the Shore Road
began at around 4 am. An adjoining garage was also alight.

Fire services were called and the fire was put out within half an
hour. However, the church was completely gutted and the garage
was badly damaged. At least six lorries were destroyed.

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Comments (5 of 5)

Protestants are killed too

by doheochai - SP

Sat Aug 03, 2002 10:26

I think it says it all that there is no mention of the killing of David Caldwell on Thursday in this posting.

Last Comment

by Des

Sat Aug 03, 2002 10:40

I was not able to get to the rally, but I assume from the reports that sectarian attacks from all side were condemned. The lives of all the persons murdered in recent attacks are of equal value, regardless of their religious belief (if any).
Having said that, it is also a fact that most sectarian attacks emanate from loyalist extremists.

Balance required???

by Irony is dead

Sun Aug 04, 2002 01:25

The comrade from the SP makes the point that the originl posting does not mention David Caldwell. The rally was called before the construction worker was killed. However what really 'says it all' is not making sure 'loyalist sectarianism' is equated to 'nationalist sectarianism' in the manner which the SP continually strives for. What says a lot is the SP refusal to point the finger at 'state sectarianism' which is the root of the proablem. The position 'against all sectarianism' really is a mirror image of a liberal, church position that denies the role of the state in perputating sectarianism. Tailending the state leads the SP from flipping from defence of the GFA ('the only show in town')to attacking it. (flip flop)

Congratulations

by M. Tout le monde

Sun Aug 04, 2002 14:26

It's great to see intelligent comments like those of Machete and Dessie. They will really help the situation. Go and play somewhere else, you idiots.

Troll Watch

by Mikie Rann

Mon Aug 05, 2002 04:31

I'm not too sure 'bout Dessie but I do know that Machete writes similar offensive and sectarian bile on a number of Australian Indymedia sites.

Rest assure leprechuans Machete is what we call a Troll, either he/she is paid to incite hatred or his/her upbringing was so twisted that mouthing off on Indymedia is now a supplement to bed wetting.

Igbnore the moron and he/she will go away and play with someone else.

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Belfast rally against sectarianism

Comments (5 of 5)