Protesters outside Alliance Offices in East Belfast
I have received abuse and condemnation in its lowest, most ugly form from people who claim to represent 'Protestants of East Belfast.' I have news for you, I am a Protestant from East Belfast, I come from a working class, Loyalist/Unionist community and somehow I, like the majority of others in my community, manage to avoid behaving like criminals and animals.
Just some of the abuse I've received
This is no longer about a flag.
Burning down Stewart Dickson's offices in Carrick will not lend legitimacy or draw rational supporters to your cause. We will not be brow beaten, bullied or intimidated for what we believe and for staying the course. Where are the Unionist politicians now? Where is Cllr Christopher Stalford who had oh so much to say about Alliance before Monday night? Where is Peter Robinson MLA, the man who talks of opening the arms of Unionism to Catholics and moderates?
I understand and I encourage protest, that is how democracy works, as long as it is peaceful. Intimidating our Councillors into leaving their homes, burning down the offices of our MLAs and Ministers and sending sectarian abuse over Twitter to our supporters is not 'engaging in the debate', it's mob mentality. This is not a protest, this is criminality and barbarism. You just lost the argument. #StandingWithStewart
Alliance Party offices in Carrickfergus
Stephen, I'm originally from Northern Ireland (my father was on the RUC as well), and I've followed quite closely the events (political and otherwise) that have gone on over the years in the land of my birth.
ReplyDeleteThis attack on the offices of the Alliance Party disgusts me. I am proud of my own traditions, but not so proud as not be able to question the myths of history that have been taught on both sides of the divide in N. Ireland. Indeed so much is my disgust at some of the myths that have been perpetuated on both sides, and even here across the pond, the emotional appeals that are made in the name of "patriotism" is one of the factors that lead me to the political view of libertarianism.
Indeed, our forefathers, including the Protestant ones, would be disgusted by the behaviour that goes on. True liberals (in the classical sense) such as John Locke, Thomas Paine, and Voltaire - men who made it popular to think rationally and spoke about individual freedom, wouldn't know what to make of the work they had done if they were to return and look at a place like Northern Ireland.
Even over here we could not completely escape it as we had terrorist sympathizers "keeping an eye" on our family.
I have returned to Northern Ireland over the years, and for me, it is such a shame that a people that is generally very hospitable, have much potential, and are from such a beautiful land will have such idiotic behaviours and in the end, act in ways that are contrary to what they claim to believe in.
I have often thought of the idea of going back to Northern Ireland to live; it is when I am there I have this sense of "feeling at home" the most. However, when I see this continued barbaric behaviour, it reminds me why my father wanted a better life for his children where one could have the freedom to think, to express ideas and thoughts without the risk of being knee capped, having your house or office burned down, or worse, being shot or blown up.
The people who have engaged in this behaviour, no matter what side they claim to be on, are nothing more than barbaric when they act this way and should be completely and utterly ashamed of themselves. What pride do they take in this kind of behaviour other than some base sense of being proud of destruction?
Although we may have different politics, you and I, my condolences and thoughts go out to you and your associates for this utterly stupid and insane behaviour.