Petrol bomb attack on police in Londonderry

M&C News ^ | 12 Aug 2006

[UnsinkableMollyBrown]

Around 50 petrol bombs were thrown at police on patrol in Londonderry last night as sectarian tensions rose ahead of one of the main events of the marching season.

Two cars were stolen in the disturbances, one of which was forcibly hijacked. They were both later found burnt out in the nationalist neighbourhood of Bogside.

It is estimated that around 10,000 members of the Protestant group the Apprentice Boys will be participating in a parade in the city of Derry today with other smaller processions taking place elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

Despite the trouble that stretched into the early hours of this morning, District Commander Richard Russell was confident that his force would maintain public order throughout the day.

A high police presence of around 700 officers will be evidence around the city today to try and ensure that the landmark date in Northern Ireland’s calendar passes off major incident.

The Apprentice Boys are regarded as a more conciliatory organisation in the Protestant community than the Orange Order and their governor, William Allen, has called on potential trouble-makers to stay away from the celebrations.

Since the end of the Troubles the group’s marches have been largely peaceful with a greater section of Derry’s population invited to take part in a series of cultural events around the main parade that make up the Maiden City Festival.

[Robert A Cook PE]

First non-Muslim riot/attacks I've heard of in several years.

[Crazieman]

What about leftists?

[GeronL]

So the real IRA is still around too?

[Tax-chick]

Excitement in Londonderry :-).

[Izzy Dunne]

one of the main events of the marching season.

How nice - they have a season for marching...

[Tax-chick]

It's not Orangemen's Day, is it? Wasn't that the 6th or the 8th? Or is it in July?

Oh, for Heaven's sake! My grandpop is probably rolling over in his grave, with me not remembering this!

[Jack2006]

First non-Muslim riot/attacks I've heard of in several years.

Is American newspapers and TV so insular?

[Jack2006]

Apprentice Boys of Londonderry March.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

PO'd Protestants did this? Well, knock me over with a feather! First I've heard of this since the IRA Catholic-Protestant Wars, many years ago.

(((sigh)))

[BW2221]

Every year the Orangemen march through Catholic neighborhoods in their attire beating drums. It's kind of like the Klan marching through a black neighborhood and the results are similar.

[Tax-chick]

Is American newspapers and TV so insular?

Yes.

[Jack2006]

The Protestants didn't riot. They would hardly attack their own march.

[Jack2006]

Every year the Orangemen march through Catholic neighborhoods in their attire beating drums. It's kind of like the Klan marching through a black neighborhood and the results are similar.

Except that the Orangemen have been doing that walk before those streets existed, they are a legal organisation, and Irish Republicans march are allowed to walk through the streets of Britain.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Every year the Orangemen march through Catholic neighborhoods in their attire beating drums. It's kind of like the Klan marching through a black neighborhood and the results are similar.

I see you still have a problem with the right to free assembly. Any chance you might unequivocally condemn the rioting orchestrated by the IRA?

[BipolarBob]

So the Syracuse Orangemen fly over to Ireland for a parade? I don't get it.

[hershey]

Giving 'disaffected Muslim youts' a new battle plan.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

"Around 50 petrol bombs were thrown at police on patrol in Londonderry last night as sectarian tensions rose..."

Who?

[operation clinton cleanup]

But... I thought Bill Clinton fixed all this years ago?

[Jack2006]

I can't work you out. Are you one of those mythical West Britons? ;)