Hatred of Protestants in Londonderry has reached
unprecedented levels. An article in the News Letter revealed
that Protestant pupils singing carols in the Foyleside shopping
centre had been spat on by nationalists in the run-up to Christmas.
The girl singers who were greatly distressed, had been apparently
identified by their school uniform. The article revealed,
this was only the latest in a series of disgusting attacks
on Protestants which included Apprentice Boys being spat on
as they placed wreaths at the War Memorial to honour the dead
of two World Wars.
What a stark revelation all this is of the utter intolerance
and hatred shown towards the Protestant minority in Londonderry
City. This is the city of John Hume, who received world-wide
publicity when he received the Nobel Peace Prize. Why has
Mr. Hume been so quiet in spotlighting the plight of Protestants
in his city? He could have taken advantage of having the mass
media at his beckoning to utterly condemn the bigotry and
intolerance of those nationalists and republicans who have
demonstrated so many times that they do not want a Protestant
presence in Londonderry.
This absence of tolerance was shown in all its ugliness during
the Apprentice Boys parade at the Closing of the Gates ceremony.
Mr. Alistair Simpson, Governor of the Apprentice Boys, who
lives on the city side in the Fountain, tried valiantly to
come up with a satisfactory solution which would have pleased
all reasonable people. It was spurned by the Bogside residents
- a group as intolerant and intransigent as the similar residents'
groups at Garvaghy Road and Ormeau Road.
Their attitude towards Protestants and the Orange Order is
well known, but the worrying factor is that so many ordinary
decent Roman Catholics seem unable to throw off the shackles
of such bigots. Surely the S.D.L.P., which has gained so much
from the Belfast Agreement, and has such high profile figures
as John Hume, Seamus Mallon and Brid Rodgers could use its
influence to try and produce a more friendly and tolerant
climate towards Protestants.
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