The British Parachute Regiment flag
The flags were erected in parts of Derry as the city prepares to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday this weekend.
Said Cllr Harkin: “The flying of parachute regiment flags on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday can only be described as hateful and disgraceful.
“We share the anger and disgust of families, of victims and everyone who is outraged and sickened.
“The flags are there only to upset, provoke and intimidate. They should come down immediately.
“Those putting up the flags represent a minority intent on encouraging the dead-end of communal division and sectarian violence.
“The vast majority of people from all communities and backgrounds want no part in this.
“The Parachute Regiment killed innocent people in Ballymurphy, in Derry – and on the Shankill Road.
“The British state sent a vicious element of its military machine into Derry on 30 January 1972 to kill civil rights marchers.
“The British state unleashes its military machine to protect the interests of a ruling elite who are not interested one bit about the concerns of any working class communities here.
“The savage murders of innocent people carried out by the parachute regiment on the Shankill Road is evidence enough of this.
“It has only been the relentless campaigning of families and supporters that has exposed the truth about Bloody Sunday and forced the British government to acknowledge the innocence of those it gunned down and then lied about.
“The struggle for justice and accountability continues.
“We commemorate Bloody Sunday to remember the victims, to stand in solidarity with the families, to demand those responsible, especially top government officials and military brass, are held accountable – and to demand no more Bloody Sunday’s anywhere.”
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