We're going to have a RIOT! (Summer Riots 2001)

Member Name: lap dancer

Product:	Summer Riots 2001
Date:	15/07/01 (115 review reads)
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Many of you have written on the riots which are happening in the north of England, primarily Burnley and Oldham but i wish to express my views on the riots taking place in Northern Ireland, over this the 12th of July, the very day that William of Orange won at the battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Of course the problems in Northern Ireland are highly publicised and many will know what is going on, on at least a general basis, but you don't actually kno what it's like to live here. It is actually a great place to live, it is one of the safest cities in Europe and the press hype the whole situation up completely. Of course there are problems but problems occur everywhere where there are 2 groups of different people, who cannot see the other's point of view, or in fact don't want to even know about the other's opinions and cultures.

In many ways Belfast is similar to the problems which are being experienced in the north of England, with the race riots. Groups of people cannot except that people do live in their neighbourhood, who are differnet but for goodness sake we're humnan beings and as with every religion (i think) every person must respect everybody else. There has been increasing tension in the North of England because of the stupidness of thugs and armed gangs pure rascist hatred. This hatred has been harboured for many years and it has eventually flared up, with an ever increasing amount of refugees and immigrants entering the country. I certainly believe tat groups such as the Nazi movement certainly need handling and the 3 month marching banning bill which has been introduced to the law in the north of England was certainly a safe step by the government to lower the tension. As we've seen on the news mant families have been interviewed and they've all said that they've lived in the same street as other race people for years and have become friends but this has destroyed everything and many bridges wi
ll have to be rebuilt. Most people would agree that his has to be stopped so we can live in peace and relative harmony with different coloured people who in many cases have things to offer the whole community and not just their own.

Now, Northern Ireland, is a very touchy subject and this is how i believe the Labour government ahs dealt with Northern Ireland. They have put idiotic people into power in the Northern Ireland office, like Mo Mowlam, who's best mates with Roisin McCalliskey daughter of Bernadette McCalliskey who was in the IRA and Sinn Fein etc and Peter Mandelson, what an idiot, the less said the better! and now Dr. John Reid, a Celtic supporter, which many protestnts would find difficult to deal with, although in fairness he hasn't done much wrong, oh that's right, he hasn't done anything yet! The Orange Order and similarly the Apprentice Boys were set up to commemorate victories won by King William at the Boyne and the siege of Londonderry respectfully. They are not as many people think armed thugs but they are simply commemorating the heroes which saved Ulster from James, but what many forget was he fought for many catholics as well, yes there were catholics in his army! Now, what is wrong with them exercising their right as free men to march the Queens highways of Northern Ireland? It is allowed everywhere else! Now many nationalist residents of course oppose this, why? to score a point against the protestant population. The march at the Garvaghy Road takes about 3 minutes and the march at Ormeau Road takes about 1 minute!!!! They, it seems cannot respect our traditions as British citizens and our right to walk the streets, after all who's country is it? especially as they have tricolour flags of green, white and gold hanging from every street light. Now you may think that this is a one sided piece of writing but it's the facts. They even want us to take down our own flag, the Union Jack, because it&#
39;s offensive, which country is it, oh yeah, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland! I'm sorry, but if they don't like it they can go down to the Republic and enjoy all the benefits of the European Union, sorry the Republic of Ireland. Then theirs the problem of decommissioning weopons and the BAD Fridat Agreement, where we voted for peace and to give the process a chance, the UUP's figures sored at the elections 4 years ago and now look at them, with the DUP taking 3 of their seats! People are changing and realising that we were all scammed, voting for something that we the people didn't get.

Now what i don't agree with is the protestants in North Belfst letting some nationalist children walk down a small part of the Crumlin Road in West Belfastto get to school and let's not forget that the loyalists must also decommission. All these factors have led to the riots over the 12th. People come out to celebrate the 12th at bonfire displays and idiotic loyalists show their strength.

Both Northern England and Northern Ireland have the same problems of not being able to live with each others different traditions and being able to live with each other and both have to start to live and understand each other better. I have many different race friends, including catholics, protestants, muslims and chinese people. We enjoy school and although there is a bit of banter, which is not serious at all we get on well with each other and we respect each other. The government needs to do more to integrate different races so young people can live in peace with each other and enjoy each others friendship. The riots are only the tip of the ice berg and the culmination of the tension which has built up over the years but we have to move on and overcome our fears. Next time when you go to make a joke at the expense of another race and just think again at people who you are offending and remember that you would dislike
anyone doing it to you. Thugs have no place in Great Britain and all should be brought to justice. May I also commend the police who as always do a fair and impartial job at putting their lives at risk to keep the peace and at catching the criminals.

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