5 February 1998 Edition
Back issue: Target of repressive legislation
Since the introduction of the Public Order Order in the North in 1987, Sinn Fein spokespersons have consistently pointed out that this legislation was one more weapon in the judicial armoury of the British government, aimed directly at stifling nationalist protest.
It was welcomed by the SDLP, who voted in its favour. They claimed that this legislation was designed to prevent Catholic `flashpoint' areas like Obins Street in Portadown from further suffering the ritual violence of Orangemen marching through. But the reality has, as always, been quite another story, with the blatantly anti-nationalist bigotry of the RUC and the judiciary ensuring that the Public Order legislation works as designed - that is to supress any manifestation of public support for the republician/nationalist position.
A clear pattern of judicial bias has emerged where people have been charged under the new legislation. Loyalists have in most cases been charged for taking part in marches specifically designed to flout the legislation, whereas nationalists have been prosecuted for participation in long-standing and traditional events.
One such case reflecting this widely disparate treatment appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 28th. Twenty nationalists were fined a total of £1,540 for attending the traditional Easter Parade on the Falls Road, in nationalist West Belfast, while nine loyalists who had taken part in a march last summer in Killyleagh, County Down - which was designed to openly breach the Public Order Order - were fined a total of just £225.
It was welcomed by the SDLP, who voted in its favour. They claimed that this legislation was designed to prevent Catholic `flashpoint' areas like Obins Street in Portadown from further suffering the ritual violence of Orangemen marching through. But the reality has, as always, been quite another story, with the blatantly anti-nationalist bigotry of the RUC and the judiciary ensuring that the Public Order legislation works as designed - that is to supress any manifestation of public support for the republician/nationalist position.
A clear pattern of judicial bias has emerged where people have been charged under the new legislation. Loyalists have in most cases been charged for taking part in marches specifically designed to flout the legislation, whereas nationalists have been prosecuted for participation in long-standing and traditional events.
One such case reflecting this widely disparate treatment appeared before Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 28th. Twenty nationalists were fined a total of £1,540 for attending the traditional Easter Parade on the Falls Road, in nationalist West Belfast, while nine loyalists who had taken part in a march last summer in Killyleagh, County Down - which was designed to openly breach the Public Order Order - were fined a total of just £225.