Jamie Bryson: Loyalists should celebrate safely, and do nothing to divert gaze from appalling Sinn Fein conduct at Bobby Storey’s funeral

The 11th and 12th (to be held on 13th July this year) is a period of cultural significance and celebration.

Despite this the Orange Order, with the support of the vast majority of the unionist and loyalist community, took the step of cancelling the main traditional parades almost three months in advance.

This was sensible, pragmatic and a display of forward-thinking leadership.

It is important to note that contrary to early Parades Commission assertions, parades were never of themselves banned under the Covid-19 regulations, rather the absence of traditional parades was due to sensible self-regulation.

It is now the case that the legal regulations, and the ‘lockdown’ guidance, has moved on to such a point whereby small localised parades are permissible.

After a legal dispute with the Parades Commission, they have now accepted they have a legal responsibility to process the applications and at the time of writing around 176 small local parades are scheduled.

Crucially all of these parades adhered to the requirement of gatherings being less than 30 persons and bands have universally adopted the ‘Twelfth at Home’ messaging, urging supporters to remain at home or within their own streets and enjoy your local band parading past your house.

This is sensible, safe and pragmatic leadership by the marching band community.

In relation to bonfires, clearly there is a perfectly lawful and legitimate desire amongst some within the community to hold the traditional celebration.

The East Belfast Cultural Collective recognised this, but was also cognisant of the reality that anything which broke the regulations or flouted public health guidelines would not only endanger our own community, but would be to effectively modify the loyalist community’s exemplary Covid-19 behaviour in order to mimic the negative behaviour of Sinn Fein.

That would be self-defeating.

The EBCC also recognised a crucial and at times conveniently ignored fact; there is a fine line between positive leadership or encouragement and exercising coercive control.

Therefore, it is important to lead by example and persuasion, rather than by coercion or bullying.

In my view the correct balance has been struck and the guidance constitutes positive leadership and clear encouragement.

Everyone within the loyalist community is united on the clear message; do not let the actions of Sinn Fein create an emotive response that will not only endanger our community in public health terms, but will also provide a mechanism by which the appalling behaviour of Sinn Fein in relation to Bobby Storey’s funeral can be offset.

Towering bonfires or large-scale centralised events would likely breach the legal regulations, and most certainly (dependent on crowds) breach the non-legally binding guidelines.

This would be manna from heaven for the republican movement, and a real and present public health risk.

As such, if any bonfires take place then such celebrations should be small, localised and, in my view, more akin to a small wood fire at the end of the street rather than a more centralised large bonfire in each area.

The practice of a small bonfire at street corners was the traditional means of celebration and is a means by which less than 30 persons could safely gather, socially distanced, for a small token celebration without endangering public health or property.

There will be much attention on the actions of the collective PUL (Protestant Unionist Loyalist) family over the upcoming period of cultural significance.

The best victory of all this year would be to display the same type of localised community spirit, camaraderie and care as has been the hallmark of the Covid-19 response.

Let the bands come to your street and enjoy the celebrations.

If you wish to celebrate with a bonfire, then do so with a small wood-based fire at the end of your street in a safe space for yourself and your neighbours to enjoy.

Above all, stay within the law and be mindful not to engage in any behaviour which would bring negative attention onto our proud and vibrant communities, or most importantly which would create public health risks for the older and most vulnerable.

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor