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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Loyalist protesters urged to end Belfast violence | Loyalist protesters urged to end Belfast violence |
| (25 days later) | |
| The leader of the Ulster Unionist party has called on loyalist protesters to end the violence in Belfast, after overnight clashes with police left eight officers injured and led to 12 arrests. | The leader of the Ulster Unionist party has called on loyalist protesters to end the violence in Belfast, after overnight clashes with police left eight officers injured and led to 12 arrests. |
| Loyalists opposed to new restrictions on flying the union flag at Belfast city hall have been holding protests across Northern Ireland all week, after the city council voted to fly the union flag on designated days. | Loyalists opposed to new restrictions on flying the union flag at Belfast city hall have been holding protests across Northern Ireland all week, after the city council voted to fly the union flag on designated days. |
| The Ulster Unionist party leader, Mike Nesbitt, said: "Anyone who attacks a police officer, anyone who riots, anyone who engages in illegal street protest, is disrespecting the values of the union flag. Stop now. You are losing the argument." | The Ulster Unionist party leader, Mike Nesbitt, said: "Anyone who attacks a police officer, anyone who riots, anyone who engages in illegal street protest, is disrespecting the values of the union flag. Stop now. You are losing the argument." |
| A major security operation is under way to prevent further trouble from erupting in the capital on Saturday – one of the busiest shopping days of the year – during a demonstration planned for 1pm. | A major security operation is under way to prevent further trouble from erupting in the capital on Saturday – one of the busiest shopping days of the year – during a demonstration planned for 1pm. |
| The assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Will Kerr, urged legitimate protesters to stay away from the city centre. "The risk to the public safety of all of those involved is simply too great," he said. | The assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Will Kerr, urged legitimate protesters to stay away from the city centre. "The risk to the public safety of all of those involved is simply too great," he said. |
| A charity event to support young people with heart disease, which included a children's walk, Christmas party and an appearance by Santa has already been cancelled. | A charity event to support young people with heart disease, which included a children's walk, Christmas party and an appearance by Santa has already been cancelled. |
| Friday night's violence broke out when a van attempted to drive through a loyalist roadblock of about 200 people in Shaftesbury Square near Queen's University. Witnesses said police officers were pelted with stones, bricks, bottles and other missiles. Vehicles were also hijacked and set on fire. | Friday night's violence broke out when a van attempted to drive through a loyalist roadblock of about 200 people in Shaftesbury Square near Queen's University. Witnesses said police officers were pelted with stones, bricks, bottles and other missiles. Vehicles were also hijacked and set on fire. |
| Police responded to outbursts of violence and a roadblock of up to 70 people in other parts of the city with water cannons. Twelve people were arrested, including a 13-year-old boy. | Police responded to outbursts of violence and a roadblock of up to 70 people in other parts of the city with water cannons. Twelve people were arrested, including a 13-year-old boy. |
| In other disturbances, about 80 loyalists in Derry also blocked a main road out of the city in solidarity with their counterparts in Belfast. | In other disturbances, about 80 loyalists in Derry also blocked a main road out of the city in solidarity with their counterparts in Belfast. |
| The BBC reported that Christmas events in Newtownabbey – a dinner hosted by the DUP mayor, and concert involving the singer Peter Corry – were also targeted. | The BBC reported that Christmas events in Newtownabbey – a dinner hosted by the DUP mayor, and concert involving the singer Peter Corry – were also targeted. |
| About 30 to 40 loyalists who congregated at the gates hijacked and burned two cars. They also smashed the windscreens of other cars belonging to guests attending the functions. | About 30 to 40 loyalists who congregated at the gates hijacked and burned two cars. They also smashed the windscreens of other cars belonging to guests attending the functions. |
| The Christmas dinner guests had their evening cut short because entertainers could not get into the premises, the BBC said. | The Christmas dinner guests had their evening cut short because entertainers could not get into the premises, the BBC said. |
| Loyalist protests have been held in Belfast and other cities every night since Monday, when a vote by the Belfast city council restricted the number of days the union flag can be flown from 365 to 17. An emergency debate is to be held at Stormont on Monday to discuss the issue. | Loyalist protests have been held in Belfast and other cities every night since Monday, when a vote by the Belfast city council restricted the number of days the union flag can be flown from 365 to 17. An emergency debate is to be held at Stormont on Monday to discuss the issue. |
| Much of the anger has been directed towards the non-sectarian Alliance party, whose councillors in Belfast voted in favour of the restriction. A death threat against the party's only MP, Naomi Long, was condemned by the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton during a visit to Belfast on Friday. | Much of the anger has been directed towards the non-sectarian Alliance party, whose councillors in Belfast voted in favour of the restriction. A death threat against the party's only MP, Naomi Long, was condemned by the US secretary of state Hillary Clinton during a visit to Belfast on Friday. |
| Clinton said she was "distressed" by the threats. "It's unacceptable. Democracy requires dialogue, compromise and constant commitment by everyone to protect the rights of everyone," she said. | Clinton said she was "distressed" by the threats. "It's unacceptable. Democracy requires dialogue, compromise and constant commitment by everyone to protect the rights of everyone," she said. |
| First minister, Peter Robinson, and deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, joined Clinton in condemning the threats. | First minister, Peter Robinson, and deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, joined Clinton in condemning the threats. |
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