I predicted that the lack of willingness to address the sickening rise in sectarianism and the dangers posed to our youth regarding this.
Events over the last few weeks have borne out predictions of increased sectarianism and the dangers of young people being sucked into such actions. You did not have to be a detective to see it. Unfortunately there is no appetite to try and deal meaningfully with this scourge. The recent removal of wood being stored in the Bogside for an annual bonfire by British colonial police has exacerbated the situation on the ground. This has not only infuriated young people in the area but a significant number of residents. Some of these residents were not supporters of the bonfire. The same happened a number of years ago when British police did a similar operation which again inflamed the situation. No lessons have been learned. This recent raid was designed to get a reaction from young people so that they can be vilified and demonised. It is important that they don’t fall into the sectarian trap set for them. In the words of one Fountain resident who I spoke to in the Bogside on Wednesday night after I was speaking to residents and young people about the PSNI operation and potential attacks on the Fountain,“ Gary the Prods didn’t take their wood.”
Events over the last few weeks have borne out predictions of increased sectarianism and the dangers of young people being sucked into such actions. You did not have to be a detective to see it. Unfortunately there is no appetite to try and deal meaningfully with this scourge. The recent removal of wood being stored in the Bogside for an annual bonfire by British colonial police has exacerbated the situation on the ground. This has not only infuriated young people in the area but a significant number of residents. Some of these residents were not supporters of the bonfire. The same happened a number of years ago when British police did a similar operation which again inflamed the situation. No lessons have been learned. This recent raid was designed to get a reaction from young people so that they can be vilified and demonised. It is important that they don’t fall into the sectarian trap set for them. In the words of one Fountain resident who I spoke to in the Bogside on Wednesday night after I was speaking to residents and young people about the PSNI operation and potential attacks on the Fountain,“ Gary the Prods didn’t take their wood.”
What needs to be called out is the lame excuse from the establishment and those politicians who swallowed it with blind acceptance and passivity.
Stormont minister Michelle O’Neil and local SDLP councillor John Boyle took to the airwaves parroting the establishment lines and demonising the youth. If this situation was so dangerous why were community leaders not engaged to deal with the specific issue beforehand. This has happened consistently in the past.
The reality is that British policing has British agendas. Those who refuse call this out and continue to cheerlead for a discredited force are only adding to the problem. I am not a fan of bonfires but I wont be hypocritical as like many others did have involvement as a young person. Prohibition doesn’t work and selective prohibition reinforces the sectarian nature of the British establishment in the six counties. If this continues it is only a matter of time before some young person is killed. There needs to be meaningful dialogue to try and prevent this happening. It has to happen immediately and can't wait till July or August.
⏩Gary Donnelly is an Independent Republican Councillor on Derry & Strabane Council.
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