Protests over the December 3rd vote not to fly the union jack every day at Belfast City Hall continued last night (2012-12-17 — video from BBC-NI | U.tv). The image above shows a flag flying on the loyalist side framed by the pedestrian gate on Northumberland Street. The image below shows one shot across the Cupar Way “peace” line, from Conway Street.
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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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“We in Ulster will tolerate no Sinn Féin but we tell you this – that if, having offered you our help, you are yourselves unable to protect us from the machinations of Sinn Féin, and you won’t take our help; we tell you, we will take the matter into our own hands …. ” A quote from Sir Edward Carson (probably, 12th of July, 1920 rather than 1912 – Treason Felony | RTÉ) replaces the previous “free men” quote (see M03378); the poppies between the emblems in the main panel are also new, as is the plinth the hooded gunmen are standing on, which reads “1912 East Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force” (also, “1981 Gareth Keys 2008″). In other words, the mural has been softened (slightly) by adding historical elements.
Castlereagh Road, opposite Ravensdale Street.
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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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We’ve mentioned before the efforts of Belfast City Council to remove or paint out graffiti and flyers, and here is one of the gentlemen whose task that is. He and his mate get a print-out each morning of where the most lewd, sectarian, awful scripts are in the city and off they go with brushes, power-hoses, hot water, cold water and so on. Once they have taken care of the graffiti for the day, they turn to chewing gum. They have two methods of removing gum from pavements, one hot — for winter time — another cold — for summer.
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A Union Flag flies together with an Israeli flag on O’Neill Road over the Rathcoole estate (which saw some rioting last week over the removal of the Union Flag from Belfast city hall) and a Red Hand Commando mural.
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This old Guinness lettering next to a black door with tan brickwork in Imperial Street. Only one shilling and eight pence (= 20 pence) per dozen!
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Another shot of Belfast city hall without a Union flag, reflected in a mirror on a stall in the Christmas market at the front of city hall.
In the shot below, the statue of Edward James Harland looks out over the market.
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“You might easy know a doffer when she comes to town/With her long yellow hair and her pickers hanging down/With her rubber ties [tied] before her and her scraper in her hand. … [the verse concludes: She’ll never get a man]” (Traditional Music). Conway Mill closed in the mid-70s but from 1982 onward has been used for community development; since 2000 it has been a listed building (Conway Mill).
Conway Street, west Belfast.
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A new board commemorating Pat Finucane (WP), on Beechmount Avenue. A British report into his death was published yesterday, 2012-12-12 (Tele | BBC-NI | Slugger).
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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00773 human rights activist pat finucane 1949-1989 targeted by british establishment executed by unionist death squads, if you don’t defend human rights lawyers who will defend human rights? rosemary nelson (WP)
“Housing right – human rights. 5,000 sleeping rough on our streets, 100,000 families on waiting lists, 350,000 empty properties. There are no excuses!” IRSP poster in CNR Belfast, with two stickers on the lamp-post: “An Bhreataın amach as Éırınn – Saoırse Anoıs!” and “Free Marian Price”.
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Copyright © 2012 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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A flag-free Belfast city hall. For background information about the on-going protests at its removal, see Union Jack – Donegall Pass.
Despite the protests, this Armenian busker continues to play.
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Extramural Activity 