Irish Republican News and Information, 13 July 2002, http://irlnet.com/rmlist/ 

 

RUC attack peaceful protest

Local SDLP councillor Margaret Walsh described the indiscriminate RUC assault:
"There were some stones thrown but then the police charged and began hitting everyone in front of them. A pregnant woman who was right beside me was definitely one of the people struck by a police officer."

RUC/PSNI police attacked a peaceful protest in the nationalist Springfield Road area of West Belfast this evening as trouble broke out after an anti-Catholic parade by the Orange Order was forced through the area.

RUC attacked protestors with batons, including a pregnant woman, in an unprovoked baton charge on the protest. Running battles with residents and rioting was the predictable result.

In the ensuing clashes, which locals believe were deliberately initiated by the RUC, scores of plastic bullets were fired at nationalists and a handful of injuries were reported.

Sinn Fein councillor Tom Hartley described the initial RUC response to the residents' protest on the Springfield Road as very heavy-handed.

He said: "It was easy to see by the large number of police and British military vehicles that they had made up their minds to attack.

"When they put the line (of riot police) across the road it was obvious that they were not prepared to let this protest go ahead without taking action against it."

Local SDLP councillor Margaret Walsh described the indiscriminate RUC assault: "There were some stones thrown but then the police charged and began hitting everyone in front of them. A pregnant woman who was right beside me was definitely one of the people struck by a police officer."

Local community workers and political representatives were credited with maintaining calm in the area despite an immense provocation.

'SET-UP'

In nearby Ardoyne, nationalists also did not allow themselves to be drawn into conflict by an aggressive RUC operation which sought to blame protestors for violence ahead of today's parades.

Several hundred Nationalist protesters were present as the Orangemen returned through the Catholic enclave, but remained calm despite being hemmed in by lines of British Army and RUC Land Rovers.

Sinn Fein North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly remonstrated with members of the crowd, pointing out that RUC warnings of major violence was an attempt to lure Nationalists into a trap.

"This is a set-up, they are trying to draw Republicans into conflict using lies and propaganda.

"I'm more convinced than ever we need to make this a peaceful protest," he added.

Clashes were also reported earlier today in Ballymena in a similar confrontation.

Interface areas remain tense tonight but hopes are high that a potentially difficult weekend across the North may pass relatively peacefully.