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30 October 2008

The Community Relations Council today underlined the importance of peaceful and responsible behaviour by all those involved in parading or protesting on Sunday 2nd November, including all spectators.

Chief Executive Duncan Morrow said

‘The right to have a thanksgiving parade and the right to protest against the wars in Iraq and the Middle East are a normal part of democratic society.  The key is not in rights but in behaviour.  Neither parade nor protest are a justification for violence, threat, intimidation or rioting. 

Unfortunately the path from parade and protest to violence is a well-trodden one here.  This puts a huge onus on all those involved, and particularly on organisers and political and community leaders, to emphasise the importance of responsible behaviour and action and the unacceptability of resorting to violence.  After the event, it will be too late to suggest that it was someone else’s fault.’

Duncan Morrow Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council

For further information contact Dr Morrow, Tel: 07713 648 667