Trouble flares over flying of the Palestinian flag at Belfast City Hall - two men detained
Arrests have been made tonight at Belfast City Hall, where a protest was taking place against the flying of the Palestinian flag.
Demonstrators with union flags and Israeli flags had gathered at the hall this evening (where the regular Christmas market is currently taking place).
As of around 8.30pm, the PSNI said: “Although the protest, which started at around 5.30pm, has so far been peaceful, a second group of people approached the protest at approximately 6.30pm and began to antagonise protesters.”
Footage being circulated online shows men rushing across Donegall Square North and along Donegall Place in an apparent confrontation with other individuals, while police try to maintain order.
The PSNI said tonight that a man aged in his late teens was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour, while a man aged in his 40s was arrested for disorderly behaviour “unrelated to any protest activity”.
They remain in custody at time of writing.
It all stems from the decision to fly a Palestinian flag from the hall, starting at around midnight last night, after a vote was initially taken last month led by Sinn Fein (which was ratified again on Monday night).
The move has faced legal challenges and opposition from unionists.
The PSNI said: “An evidence-gathering operation is in place and in due course we will review the footage gathered and consider any further potential offences.
"The right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are fundamental human rights which are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest.
"However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.”