Progressive Unionist Party Statement, Monday 15th July 2013 at 14:15*** Regarding: Planned Protest at Stormont Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 16th July 2013 at 0930
During recent events the Progressive Unionist Party have felt the hurt and pain that has been visited on the Unionist community in Northern Ireland, specifically, around recent decisions about parading, but also set against a wider context of the failure to recognise Loyalist Culture as part of our shared future and also the lack of political will to properly deal with the contentious issues of the past.
Once again, the PUP finds its activists on the frontline, showing leadership at local level, encouraging peaceful and lawful protest, while attempting to articulate the views and concerns of the community. At the forefront of this, playing a major role, have been the Women’s Commission of the Party. As the first step of our strategy to deal with the current issues, this group within the PUP plan to lead a Protest at the seat of power in NI tomorrow, on the run up to the special sitting of the assembly to talk about parades commission determinations. We call on all like minded groups and individuals to join us in a Peaceful, Lawful and dignified protest, where we plan to challenge our elected representatives by handing over a letter outlining our concerns. Those intent on violence will not be welcome and we cannot emphasise enough the importance of the Peaceful and Lawful nature of this protest in order to properly articulate our genuine and rightful concerns politically.
As always the PUP will put our People and Country before Party. Further statements and outline of intent will be made in due course, but it is our intention to step up to the mark and provide the kind of leadership that is essential during these difficult times.
*Statement Ends*
