Loyalists burn Irish and Polish flags

The Polish Association of Northern Ireland has called for action after Polish flags were burned in several locations across Belfast on July 11.

They have described the burning of the flags as "racist intimidation" of the Polish community.

The flags, along with Irish tricolors, were placed on bonfires in Belfast in the build-up to the Eleventh Night, the night before the unionist community's annual commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne.

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Polish flags were spotted on two bonfires in East Belfast while an election poster for Polish SDLP candidate Magdalena Wolska was also burned on one of the bonfires.

"The Polish flag is a symbol of freedom, independence and peace for the 30,000 Polish people living in Northern Ireland and around 80 million across the globe," said Maciek Bator, of the Association, who described the action as "appalling and offensive."

"By burning the Polish flag and other symbols, some members of the local communities were able to express their strong political views and promote anti-Polish sentiments," he added.

First Minister Peter Robinson said the Polish community had been working to "integrate themselves into our society."

"I just don't know what this is about and why it should take place," he said.

"The one question I always put to myself in these circumstances is - how would I feel if that was my flag on top of that bonfire?"

Meanwhile, Alliance MLA, Anna Lo, described those who burned the Polish flags on bonfires as "bigots" and said she was "utterly appalled" by the actions.

"The Polish community is now the largest ethnic minority community in Northern Ireland and they have been coming for a number of years, settled and have integrated into society," she said.

"On a so-called community festival night, they then saw their flags being burned, it's so hurtful and insulting. When you are an immigrant so far from home, you hold symbols like that so close to your heart. It must make them so angry, and make them feel so unwelcome. It's so disrespectful."

 

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