Irish News, 19 January 2002, http://www.irishnews.com/

DEFIANCE - WIDERSTAND

By staff reporter

ANTIKATHOLISCHEN RASSISMUS BEENDEN

We the citizens of Northern Ireland, by our presence here today, affirm our total opposition to all sectarian activity of whatever nature. No-one has the right to engage in this activity or claim it to be on the behalf of any section of our community or in defence of its rights.
Our purpose in being here today is to illustrate our revulsion at any form of bigotry or sectarianism which has led to murder, violence or acts of intimidation. We have suffered from these evil characteristics for more than three decades now. Therefore, we call on all those engaged in acts of sectarianism or paramilitary activity to stop. In particular, we call on paramilitary organisations to disband now. The end of sectarianism combined with the dissolution of paramilitary organisations will allow all of us to pursue the goals of an equal, peaceful society linked to prosperity and jobs wherein divinity and respect are shown to all and shared by all, irrespective of political or religious differences.

ICTU declaration read at yesterday’s rallies

PEOPLE POWER took to the street of Northern Ireland yesterday with almost 30,000 protesters demanding an end to sectarian violence and hatred.

Workers downed tools at lunchtime and gathered in seven locations to mark their revulsion at the murder of postman Daniel McColgan in north Belfast last weekend.

The protesters braved high winds and driving rain to hear politicians and union leaders call for paramilitaries to disband and peace to reign.

More than 15,000 people attended the largest of the protests at City Hall in Belfast.

Ulster Unionist leader and first minister David Trimble, SDLP leader and deputy first minister Mark Durkan and Sinn Fein ministers Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun were among those in the crowd.

However, it is understood the two DUP ministers in the executive – Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds – did not attend the rally.

An Irish Congress of Trades Unions (ICTU) declaration read out at each rally called on paramilitaries to disband.

It said: “Our purpose in being here today is to illustrate our revulsion at any form of bigotry or sectarianism which has led to murder, violence or acts of intimidation.

“We have suffered from these evil characteristics for more than three decades now.

“Therefore, we call on all those engaged in acts of sectarianism or paramilitary activity to stop. In particular, we call on paramilitary organisations to disband now.”

More than 3,000 people attending a rally in Omagh town centre, where a Real IRA car bomb killed 29 people – including a woman pregnant with twins – in August 1998, heard appeals for an end to sectarian violence.

Around 6,000 people attended a rally outside the Guildhall in Derry. Hundreds also packed rallies in Enniskillen, Newry, Cookstown and Strabane.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern sent “support and solidarity” to the rallies, while the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) opened a book of condolences for the McColgan family in Dublin.

Michael Brett, whose son Gavin was shot dead by the UDA last year, attended the Belfast protest and called for an end to violence.

He said: “Gavin’s death and Daniel’s death make no sense at all. It has to stop and it has to stop now. It’s time for this sectarianism to be finished and cut out of society.

“The bigots don’t have a voice anymore. It’s our turn to make Northern Ireland a better place for everyone to live in.”

Union leaders last night praised the large turnout at the rallies.

Peter Bunting of the ICTU, which co-ordinated the rallies, said they sent a strong message to paramilitary groups.

“I was particularly pleased (with the turnout) considering the appalling weather conditions.

“I think anybody who was at that rally could only leave it enthused with the strength of will to combat sectarianism that we encounter in the future.”


POLICE yesterday made a fresh appeal for information about the murder of Catholic postman Daniel McColgan as thousands took to the streets to call for peace.

Mr McColgan was killed by the UDA as he arrived for work at a postal depot in Rathcoole, on the outskirts of Belfast, last Saturday.

Superintendent Roy Suitters, leading the investigation, said he realised it was difficult for people living in the Rathcoole are to come forward. He said: “This day week ago, Daniel’s baby daughter took her first step towards him.

“I want people to contrast that with what he went through the next day. The terror of those people running at him and murdering him. “I want people to think about that and put themselves in his place for a couple of seconds and just think about what he went through and think if they can live with it on their conscience.”

The police put on show a Renault 14 car similar to that used by the killers.