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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Posters of nationalist politicians placed on Twelfth bonfires

The SDLP's Paul Doherty has condemned those behind putting his election poster on a bonfire in Glencairn Way in West Belfast.

The poster has been put up alongside posters of People Before Profit's leader Gerry Carroll and a sectarian slogan.

"It’s extremely disappointing to see my election posters alongside this sectarian message on an eleventh night bonfire," said Mr Doherty.

Read more: Over £3K raised for family of tragic Larne bonfire builder John Steele

"While I respect everyone’s right to celebrate their culture in their own way, we regularly see posters of nationalist representatives and hate speech on these bonfires and we need leaders in the unionist community to call it out and put a stop to it once and for all.

"I have also heard concerns about the building of this bonfire so close to the local community centre and would ask those taking part to ensure that this bonfire passes off as safely as possible with no damage caused to the local community or surrounding areas."



The People Before Profit MLA for West Belfast added: "Unfortunately there has been a deafening silence from many Unionist politicians in the face of this kind of sectarian intimidation. It is time for leadership, and to demand an end to this provocation.

"People Before Profit has a proud history of standing up to sectarianism on both sides of the divide. We have been instrumental in building unity across communities, through our campaign work over the years.

"We will not be deterred from this important work by a sectarian minority attempting to drag us to the past. Our aim is to build a socialist political tradition which relegates sectarianism totally.

"Now more than ever we need working class solidarity and unity to push back against the cost of living crisis, and seek to genuinely better the lot of all working class people.

"We would appeal to those who are plagued with sectarian imagery and political posters hoisted for burning, to reject such provocations and join the fightback against sectarianism."

Election posters for Sinn Féin's deputy leader Michelle O'Neill and MLA Gerry Kelly were also placed on the Rathcoole/Doonbeg bonfire in Newtownabbey.

Bonfires are traditionally lit on the Eleventh Night around midnight.

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In a post on social media, Gerry Carroll said he was "disappointed and saddened" to his election posters on the bonfire.
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