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Belfast flag protests: Assembly to debate violence Belfast flag protests: Assembly to debate violence
(35 minutes later)
The Northern Ireland Assembly is to hold a special session later to debate a motion condemning attacks on Alliance Party politicians' homes and offices.The Northern Ireland Assembly is to hold a special session later to debate a motion condemning attacks on Alliance Party politicians' homes and offices.
The violence followed loyalist protests over Belfast City Council's move to fly the Union flag only on designated days. The violence followed loyalist protests over Belfast City Council's move to fly the union flag only on designated days.
Up to 28 police officers have been injured in rioting and, since Friday night, 19 people have been charged.Up to 28 police officers have been injured in rioting and, since Friday night, 19 people have been charged.
A motion agreed by the main parties calls for any further protests to be peaceful and orderly.A motion agreed by the main parties calls for any further protests to be peaceful and orderly.
Meanwhile, the BBC has learned that a loyalist who made a speech to protesters in front of Belfast City Hall during Saturday's Union flag demonstration was Jim Dowson, a former fundraiser for the British National Party. Meanwhile, the BBC has learned that a loyalist who made a speech to protesters in front of Belfast City Hall during Saturday's union flag demonstration was Jim Dowson, a former fundraiser for the British National Party.
A series of protests followed the decision made by the council last Monday that the flag - which is flown daily at the city hall - should only be flown on certain days.A series of protests followed the decision made by the council last Monday that the flag - which is flown daily at the city hall - should only be flown on certain days.
Nationalist councillors had wanted the flag at the city hall taken down altogether, but they voted on a compromise from the Alliance Party that it would fly on up to 20 days.Nationalist councillors had wanted the flag at the city hall taken down altogether, but they voted on a compromise from the Alliance Party that it would fly on up to 20 days.
Afterwards, unionists accused Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party of attacking their cultural identity.Afterwards, unionists accused Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party of attacking their cultural identity.
A loyalist crowd had gathered outside the city hall during the debate and there was a riot. A group of protesters forced their way into the back yard of the city hall and fought with police.A loyalist crowd had gathered outside the city hall during the debate and there was a riot. A group of protesters forced their way into the back yard of the city hall and fought with police.
Since then there have been a number of protests across Northern Ireland. Some have been peaceful, but others have become violent.Since then there have been a number of protests across Northern Ireland. Some have been peaceful, but others have become violent.
DivisiveDivisive
The Alliance Party has said the main unionist parties bear some responsibility for stoking up the issue.The Alliance Party has said the main unionist parties bear some responsibility for stoking up the issue.
The DUP's Sammy Wilson had accused Alliance of "opening a Pandora's box".The DUP's Sammy Wilson had accused Alliance of "opening a Pandora's box".
DUP leader Peter Robinson has remained critical of the decision by nationalists to seek the removal of the Belfast City Council union flag describing it as "divisive and provocative".DUP leader Peter Robinson has remained critical of the decision by nationalists to seek the removal of the Belfast City Council union flag describing it as "divisive and provocative".
But Mr Robinson also called for the recent violent attacks to stop immediately and said the flag protests should be suspended in the wider interests of creating a peaceful society.But Mr Robinson also called for the recent violent attacks to stop immediately and said the flag protests should be suspended in the wider interests of creating a peaceful society.
Alliance leader David Ford had requested an immediate recall of the assembly after an attack on the home of two councillors in Bangor and the burning of an Alliance Party office in Carrickfergus on Wednesday.Alliance leader David Ford had requested an immediate recall of the assembly after an attack on the home of two councillors in Bangor and the burning of an Alliance Party office in Carrickfergus on Wednesday.
Since then a death threat has been made against the party's only MP, Naomi Long, and Belfast city councillor Laura McNamee was also advised to leave her home.Since then a death threat has been made against the party's only MP, Naomi Long, and Belfast city councillor Laura McNamee was also advised to leave her home.