North Belfast Rally Against Racism

by In Solidarity Mon Nov 15, 2004 20:50

There is no human rights law that says that hate speech is OK or that we have to be bystanders to it. Any speech that incites genocide or makes a community feel threatened is hate speech, and you better believe we have every right to ban it.

It is not ok to verbally/sexually harass a co-worker, it is not ok to burn crosses in the yards of African-Americans, it is not ok to yell fire in a theater, and it is not ok to celebrate the genocide/conquest of a people like happens here in Denver, Colorado every year with the Columbus Day parade that celebrates the European conquest of Turtle Island's indigenous peoples.

Resist all anti-Native parades!!

www.transformcolumbusday.org
www.coloradoaim.org

by Barry Fri Nov 12, 2004 03:39

Firstly, how many British people (or those who consider themselves British) are actually in the orange order or attend their parades ? This figure is probably less than 1% of the "british" population, so banning orange marches hardly qualifies as anti-British racism.
As for "moving forward with the peace-process" the GFA itself has simply institutionalised sectarianism and re-inforced it, the results of this 10 years into a provo ceasefire are plain to see on the ground. The only reason loyalists arent slaughtering catholic civilians as often as they used to is that their MI6 bosses dont allow them to for purely military and political considerations (for the time being at least)

The fact is that the vast majority of racist attacks in the north come from the loyalist paramilitaries which are basically controlled by govt agencies such as FRU/14TH intelligence and the PSNI special branch.
Surely then the only way racism and sectarianism can be effectively defeated , in the north at least, is by an end to British rule as it is primarily responsible for these twin evils ?
As for "peaceful and law abiding" marchers, the bigoted drug-dealing scum and detritus who often accompany these coat-trailing processions hardly fall under that category.

by James T Jaffa Fri Nov 12, 2004 01:43

Surely banning the Orange Order from marching would be anti-British Racism?I'm not a member nor do I subscribe to their world-view but we really need to move forward with the peace process and imposing more restrictions on people's civil liberties would be a retrograde step.The inevitable result would be more violence on the streets.
The only way to combat racism in all its forms is to ensure that all citizens are treated equally and fairly .That means NO discrimination,positive or otherwise and tough police action to crack down on ALL thuggery and violent behaviour.
The rule on marching should be basically that no-one should be permitted to march in areas where they are not welcome,but apart from that no restrictions should be placed on any peaceful,law abiding march or demonstration.

by mm Thu Nov 11, 2004 17:40

If we want to end racist behaviour and attitudes then there is no better place to start than home, by which I mean our own long-running racist issue. We could start with an end to orange marches.

by ARN Thu Nov 11, 2004 15:51

Today’s Irish news editorial is entitled 'We must unite to stop racism'

It goes on in a lengthy editorial to call for community support for such local community rallies that have been organised by the ARN and further adds that,

''While condemnation from politicians is expected, strong messages of both solidarity with victims and utter rejection of racist behaviour will only be heard when people stand together within the affected communities.'