Election posters urging people to vote unionist but without specifying the party. “Make an eXtra effort to vote this time” and “Lead by eXample – use your vote”.
An expansion is planned for the Radisson Blu at the Gasworks site, but the land is zoned for public housing. The plan is contested by Sınn Féın and the Housing Executive.
“Clonduff” in English and “Kyefiel” in Ulster Scots, a transliteration and a translation of the Irish “Cluain Daimh”, the meadow of the ox, and thus the sculpture shown above at the entrance to the area. Below are two images of “Tullyard Way”, translated into Ulster Scots as “Heichbrae Airt” from the Irish “tulach ard” (high hillside). The street signs were initially mistaken for Irish and torn down by local residents (Scots Anorak | BBC-NI).
“Eelam” is the ancient Tamil name for Sri Lanka and “Tamil Eelam” is the name of a proposed Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka (shown on the right of the mural) that the Tigers were fighting for. After 26 years of war, the Tamil Tigers were defeated in 2009 but independence (from the majority Sinhalese) is “inevitable” according to this new mural. For an account of commemorations in both Belfast and Derry, see this TamilNet article.
Jamie Burns collapsed at the Queen’s Student Union last November after taking an ecstasy tablet. His parents, William and Lesley Burns, are at the forefront of a new drug awareness campaign, #1PillWillKill, which was launched on April 11th (UTv | Tele). The campaign includes this new board at the top of Twaddell Avenue, former site of the protest camp, where it is joined by two further boards urging people to send tips about drug dealing to the police.
“This artwork is dedicated in memory of Jamie Burns, 27 June 1993 – 20th November 2016. “We do not measure his life in years but by the endless love and joy he brought to us.” Officially unveiled on June 1st 2017 by Frank Mitchell and Vinny Hurrell. Commissioned by Unite The Union in recognition of the Burns family.”
Here are two images from UK GE 2017. Above, Sınn Féın placards in a variety of bright colours (plus one for unsuccessful North Belfast candidate John Finucane). Below, “Choose Christ” and you could find both security and change!