Unionist leaders in the city have been called on to use their influence to help remove British Parachute Regiment flags that have been erected in the Newbuildings area in the days leading up to the anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
Michael McCrossan, chairperson of Ógra Sinn Féin in Derry, said the flags were seen as provocation in an effort to raise tensions as the city prepared to remember those murdered by British paratroopers in January 1972.
Mr McCrossan said: “I have received a number of complaints about these flags being erected in the Newbuildings area .
“We had a similar number of incidents in Derry last year as well. Given the history of the Parachute Regiment in this city and the upcoming anniversary of Bloody Sunday this weekend, the erection of these flags is being seen as provocation in an effort to raise tensions in the Derry area.
Michael McCrossan.
“We now need to see leadership from within Unionism to ensure that these flags are taken down as those who have erected them obviously did so to create a reaction from within the Nationalist community.”
He concluded: “The people who erected these flags are only serving the interests of those opposed to the peace process and heightening community tensions in the city. This is now the time for clear leadership within the Unionist community in order to reduce tensions.”
