Northern Ireland
Turmoil over flag dispute continues
Only united working class capable of cutting across increased division and conflict
Ciaran Mulholland, Socialist Party (CWI in Ireland) Belfast
Turmoil over the issue of the flying of the union flag has now continued across Northern Ireland for six weeks.
The protests, blocking of roads and frequent rioting began on 3 December when Belfast City Council voted to fly the flag over City Hall on seventeen “designated days” only rather than 365 days a year.
Since then, there have been protests almost every day – including a small protest on Christmas Day. On some nights as many as 80 roads have been blocked.