A new scheme to take down almost 700 loyalist flags in Derry has been completed.
The UPRG and PUP completed the new Flags Management Protocol with the assistance of Roads Service, REACT North West and the Conflict Transformation Initiative. The flags have been handed back to the community for re-use during next year’s loyalist ma
rching season.
In a joint statement, David Malcolm, Regional Secretary of the UPRG and the PUP’s Leslie Mitchell, said: “There are less than 50 flags now flying in the city that can be attributed to the PUL (Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist) Community. These are flags that respective communities wanted to be allowed to be removed by themselves.
“Whilst we respect their right, we would also remind them that the longer these flags are left to fly, then the more those who seek to distract from the overall success of the initiative will be in a position to look for negatives.”
The statement added: “We wish to place on record our thanks to all those individuals and groups who supported this initiative and also those who entered into the spirit of this initiative by removing their own flags during the period other flags were removed. We also wish to thank Mr Ken Whiteside of Roads Service who provided the necessary assistance needed to enable the initiative to be completed safely.”
