This weekend will be a real challenge for us all. The country’s media are waiting, (and in some cases hoping) for violence on the streets of Derry. This cannot be allowed to happen.
The Apprentice Boys of Derry will once again march through the city centre to commemorate the ‘Relief of Derry’. Ten or fifteen years ago the march would, almost certainly, end in major violence. We have come a long way since then, we do still experience some trouble but it’s more anti-social than political. Understandably, people are expecting ‘dissidents’ to orchestrate more serious and sinister trouble this year.
My view is that it is far from inevitable that ‘dissident’ elements will want to cause trouble. In fact, it would be completely counter-productive for them to do so. There is a prisoner dispute continuing in Maghaberry Prison. The prisoners have, I believe, real and justified concerns about their treatment. I have conveyed my concerns to the Justice Minister David Ford and I believe very serious efforts are being made to solve the problem.
All prisoners deserve to be treated humanely no matter what they have done and we all know that Irish history is full of warnings of what can happen if prison disputes are allowed to escalate. The prisoners have support from many different quarters on this issue but that support could be threatened if there is serious violence in Derry on Saturday. Equally it’s imperative that the prisoner issue is resolved to ensure that people do not have an excuse to cause trouble.
More important than any of these issues is the fact that violence in Derry would be simply wrong. If previous years are anything to go by it will be the people living in Fahan Street and the rest of the Bogside who will suffer the most and the cause of Irish Unity will not be advanced one step. Instead of being tempted or cajoled into getting involved in violence, young people should spend their weekend enjoying some of the great community festivals on across our city.
Much effort has been put in by community workers, business people, politicians, the police and the Apprentice Boys to ensure that Saturday is as peaceful as possible. Now is the time for the city to show that we are mature enough to handle such events.
dont be so glum colum