Symbols of hatred serve no purpose

Christmas is the season of peace on Earth and goodwill to all — except in Northern Ireland.

Over the past month, the province has been ripped apart by violent protests as loyalists vent their fury over a decision by Belfast City Council to limit flying Britain’s union flag.

Yes, the province remains British and the Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom. However, decades of sectarian strikes and political violence there claimed more than 3,000 lives, with both Irish nationalists and Ulster unionists agreeing to an uneasy power-sharing agreement for the past 15 years. Symbols remain a powerful tie to the past where communities remain separated by 15-metre-high “peace” fences.

With demographics evenly split between both communities, it is hard for nationalists to work in a constructive manner in a building where the Union Jack flies constantly. The deal at Belfast council was done with the approval of the Alliance Party — non-sectarian and trying to bridge both divides. The Alliance at least sees the way forward, which is by removing symbols of hatred of the past.