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Union flag protests: UDA leaders in plea over violent opposition Union flag protests: UDA leaders in plea over violent opposition
(about 1 hour later)
Senior leaders of a loyalist paramilitary group have said violent opposition to the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall must stop.Senior leaders of a loyalist paramilitary group have said violent opposition to the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall must stop.
Twenty-nine police officers were injured in rioting in east Belfast on Saturday. On Saturday, 29 police officers were injured in rioting in east Belfast.
It followed a loyalist protest over the decision to fly the flag at City Hall on a number of designated days Riot police separated a crowd of about 200 loyalists from a nationalist crowd from the Short Strand area on Sunday night.
A senior Ulster Defence Association (UDA) figure said loyalists were playing into Sinn Féin's hands.A senior Ulster Defence Association (UDA) figure said loyalists were playing into Sinn Féin's hands.
Jimmy Birch, from the organisation in east Belfast, was speaking in an interview for a BBC Radio Ulster documentary, Inside The Flag Protests.Jimmy Birch, from the organisation in east Belfast, was speaking in an interview for a BBC Radio Ulster documentary, Inside The Flag Protests.
"Every time they call a tune, we take to the streets," he said."Every time they call a tune, we take to the streets," he said.
"We are wrecking our own areas, we fight with the police, we are burning our own cars and we stop our own people going to work and coming home from work and disrupt our own people's way of life."We are wrecking our own areas, we fight with the police, we are burning our own cars and we stop our own people going to work and coming home from work and disrupt our own people's way of life.
"It is wrong, we need to step back and we need to stop being predictable.""It is wrong, we need to step back and we need to stop being predictable."
Mr Birch said UDA members had been told not to take part in rioting.Mr Birch said UDA members had been told not to take part in rioting.
He acknowledged the union flag decision by Belfast City Council was a democratic vote and said politics was the only way the issue could be resolved.He acknowledged the union flag decision by Belfast City Council was a democratic vote and said politics was the only way the issue could be resolved.
Two main roads in east Belfast were blocked for a time on Sunday night and some missiles were thrown during a stand-off near the Short Strand interface. However there was no serious trouble.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are due to meet the British and Irish governments this week.Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are due to meet the British and Irish governments this week.
Mr Robinson said it was important to tell the wider community in Northern Ireland and the UK that politicians had not given up on a "shared society".Mr Robinson said it was important to tell the wider community in Northern Ireland and the UK that politicians had not given up on a "shared society".
He said the political process was the only way forward.He said the political process was the only way forward.
Officers fired six baton rounds and used water cannon during the 40th day of street protests on Saturday.Officers fired six baton rounds and used water cannon during the 40th day of street protests on Saturday.
The rioting began at about 14:30 GMT, when loyalists and nationalists clashed at a sectarian interface in the east of the city.The rioting began at about 14:30 GMT, when loyalists and nationalists clashed at a sectarian interface in the east of the city.
A 32-year-old woman is to appear in court in Belfast on Monday in connection with the rioting. She has been charged with disorderly behaviour and obstructing police. A 32-year-old woman will appear in court in Belfast on Monday in connection with the rioting. She has been charged with disorderly behaviour and obstructing police.
Meanwhile, at least 1,000 people gathered outside Belfast City Hall at lunchtime on Sunday to protest against the violence.Meanwhile, at least 1,000 people gathered outside Belfast City Hall at lunchtime on Sunday to protest against the violence.
There were no speeches, but for five minutes they clapped, cheered, whistled, and banged drums in what they called an "anti-silence".There were no speeches, but for five minutes they clapped, cheered, whistled, and banged drums in what they called an "anti-silence".
People said they were representing "the silent majority" who were opposed to violence and trouble.People said they were representing "the silent majority" who were opposed to violence and trouble.
Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place for almost six weeks, since Belfast City Council voted to change its longstanding union flag policy on 3 December.Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place for almost six weeks, since Belfast City Council voted to change its longstanding union flag policy on 3 December.
The council, which now has a nationalist majority, voted to fly the flag at Belfast City Hall on a number of designated days, rather than every day of the year.The council, which now has a nationalist majority, voted to fly the flag at Belfast City Hall on a number of designated days, rather than every day of the year.
The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.