Protest expected before Belfast flag vote
A protest is expected to take place at Belfast City Hall on Monday in opposition to a controversial vote which could see the Union flag taken down from the building.
Councillors will make their decision during a vote, prior to which nationalist members have said they back the removal of the flag.
The Union flag has flown at Belfast City Hall every day for more than a century.
If the motion is passed, flags at the Ulster Hall and the council’s Duncrue complex could also be taken down.
“We will keep an open mind in terms of some of the oppositions but one thing’s for sure,” said Sinn Féin’s Jim McVeigh.
“Things will change on Monday night. The current policy of flying the flag in those three locations will have to end on Monday.”
The Alliance Party – whose votes could swing the decision – have said they support the flying of the flag on designated days only.
But Unionist members of the council have said they will do all in their power to oppose this compromise.
DUP councillor Brian Kingston said he expects a big turnout at the protest just before the 6pm vote.
“It’s clear to me, and from comments that people have made to me personally, this is going to provoke a huge reaction and people are outraged at this attempt to remove our country’s flag, the Union flag, from our city hall,” he explained.
“It seems that many people are intending to come down to show their opposition and there will be protests outside city hall.”
