Flying flags is a harmless part of loyalist culture? More like a shady bid to mark turf

The anonymous men erecting flags on lamp standards in public thoroughfares in parts of Belfast operate within demonstrably well-funded, well-coordinated squads.
The Union flagThe Union flag
The Union flag

At one time their divisive activities were carried out in the twilight hours, but now they take place, brazenly, in the clear light of day, knowing that their disregard for the rights of ratepayers and other law-abiding citizens will go unpunished – as was the case on Saturday June 20 on the Ballysillan and North Circular Roads in the presence of the PSNI.

Were the police there to provide protection for the squad or, were they there, perhaps, to prevent a breach of the peace?

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Ironically, the latter possibility being the only grounds for allowing the authorities to intervene!

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

In 2017 a Belfast community newspaper published a letter claiming that estate agents calculated that the flying of flags in districts had the effect of depressing house values by between 8% and 20%.

The latter figure seems extreme but undoubtedly the erection of flags in neighbourhoods must discourage at least 50% of prospective purchasers leading to a reduction in a property’s investment potential.

Such considerations do not bother the flag erectors who are indifferent to the consequences of their actions on the families whose assets they are devaluing.

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An innocent view of the flag displays is that they’re a harmless celebration of loyalist culture. The more plausible explanation is that they are an assertion of territorial control by shadowy sectarian organizations.

Citizens are free to fly flags of any hue from their houses should they choose to but it is disturbing and frightening to have those displays imposed.

Where a culture of impunity exists in respect of flags, the consequence will be gradual encroachments as in the North Circular Road area where banners have appeared for the first time in a generation to the fear and despair of many residents.

Wes Mackey Holmes and Helen Holmes, Belfast, BT14

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