Ku Klux Klan flags in Belfast prompt Republican Youth anti-hate camp

UP TO 40 members of the Mairéad Farrell Republican Youth Committee showed their disgust at the racist antics of loyalists after flags of the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan (KKK) were erected in east Belfast.

One flag attached to a lamp-post in Island Street in east Belfast, an area that has witnessed an upsurge in racist attacks since the start of the year, was removed by local people on Monday 30 June but a second KKK flag was put up in its place.

Reacting to the overtly racist actions by loyalists, members of the republican youth organisation staged a 24-hour anti-racism ‘camp out’ on the site of the old Andersonstown RUC Barracks through Tuesday 1 July.

To further highlight the issue the participants staged a white-line picket at rush hour on Wednesday 2 July.

BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster has provoked a backlash after giving a platform on Wednesday to a KKK leader, ‘Imperial Wizard’ Frank Ancona, in one of its prime-time morning slots, just after 8am.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions Youth Committee and Belfast Trades Council, along with other trade unions and anti-racism campaigners, called a protest at the BBC on Thursday because the KKK “are renowned the world over for lynching people because of the colour of their skin”.

❑  IN TYRONE, Sinn Féin Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew has described as “racist and extremely sinister” signs in the village of Moygashel, outside Dungannon, ‘warning’ people not to rent property to foreign nationals.

The Sinn Féin MP called for the signs to be removed immediately and for political leadership on the issue across the political spectrum.

“Politicians from all parties should be unequivocal that racism has no place in Tyrone or anywhere else,” Michelle Gildernew said.