Maze protest motives questioned

William Frazer from FAIR has announced he will be holding a protest at the Maze on Thursday afternoon. However the South Belfast UPRG have questioned the motives behind the protest and have said that local residents are not encouraging the protest.

The protest has been billed as a civil rights protest for Protestants, alleging that the planned conflict resolution centre will be turned into an Irish Republican shrine once built, however locals who reside very close to the former prison feel that the protest itself is not something that they would encourage.

Chairman of the South Belfast UPRG, Colin Halliday said: “Locals have had no communication with the parade organiser to tell them what is happening and in many cases the first they heard was when social media sites advertised this. There is a genuine fear that the prospect of hundreds of supporters being bussed in for this event might lead to tension with the police and for such a small closely knit rural community that is unacceptable.”

Colin continued: “There has also been some confusion over the real reason for the protest with some billing it as a civil rights protest, so if this is the case why is it not held at Stormont and addressed to those administering Northern Ireland? The site has been a talking point for many since the prison closed but it is up to individuals to make up their own minds on the future use instead of allowing themselves to be carried away with hype and myths.”