NI: Threat letters to ethnic orgs from suspected loyalists

[ls]

Here we see more threats of violence against ethnic people in Belfast apparently from "Combat 18".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8143735.stm


The letters said "non-whites" were not welcome in Northern Ireland and must leave.

The only non-British minister in the NI assembly also received death threats very recently, this is an extreme campaign of terror (and to some extent it's worked, ie the Romanian families leaving).

There looks like there needs to be a much bigger leftist presence combating this, perhaps the WSM can try to start one with a grassroots campaign from the communities.

[Sean]

I've heard Combat 18's name being waved around in this a lot.

[Spud]

I doubt if C18 are a real presence in NI. More like a loyalist organisation with a new coat.

[ls]

Edelweiss pirate said some good things on that (basically it is highly unlikely to be C18) although these loyalists seem very determined either way.

[Sean]

C18 and loyalists are interlinked at a lower level of disgruntled folk, however the higher level loyalists, now winding down want this like a hole in the head.

[Redmau5]

It said in the local news paper (Irish News) that the UDA's youth-wing, the "Ulster Young Militants", were behind the threats.

[Dr Mindbender]

I think whoever is sending these letters are all talk. Im growing convinced all of this is the work of a few bored kids and armchair activists feeding off the frenzy. How the fuck could they get bomb making capabilities when the UVF and UDA are decommissioning?

The loyalists are winding down like Sean said, and i highly doubt it could be a C-18/UYM operation. The fash generally refuse to work with the loyalists because of their support for Israel.

[Redmau5]

The fash generally refuse to work with the loyalists because of their support for Israel.

Is there any genuine support for Israel in the loyalist community? The raising of Israeli flags on lamp posts always struck me as simply a petty reaction to the raising of Palestinian flags in republican areas.

[Dr Mindbender]

Is there any genuine support for Israel in the loyalist community? The raising of Israeli flags on lamp posts always struck me as simply a petty reaction to the raising of Palestinian flags in republican areas.

I've heard it implied in protestant circles that unionists should be sympathetic to Israel because 'they are both victims of terrorism'. That, and the religious pretext that the prysbeterians et all believe they are also 'children of the tribes of Israel'.

Granted, the connections are tenuous but they are brought up occasionally.

[PRC-UTE]

Is there any genuine support for Israel in the loyalist community? The raising of Israeli flags on lamp posts always struck me as simply a petty reaction to the raising of Palestinian flags in republican areas.

they have a friends of Israel type group, headed by big Ian IIRC

[PRC-UTE]

Here we see more threats of violence against ethnic people in Belfast apparently from "Combat 18".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8143735.stm



The only non-British minister in the NI assembly also received death threats very recently, this is an extreme campaign of terror (and to some extent it's worked, ie the Romanian families leaving).

There looks like there needs to be a much bigger leftist presence combating this, perhaps the WSM can try to start one with a grassroots campaign from the communities.

(And to think, this is less terror than what Catholics are going through in Coleraine.)

It's worked more than some extent, and it's very much a natural activity for the peace process... riot, carry out a pogrom and then you get to whine about needing more funding. it's built-in to the dynamics: the idea is to approach every issue about the rights of your community, your identity, and your culture... which makes human rights for all, or working class solidarity more difficult to talk about.

Couldn't see the WSM making headway there, mainly cuz they'd be eaten alive. Maybe the SP could do some good there, but it would be an uphill battle at best.

I think the future struggle in this kind of situation will have to be forming some alliances with the protestants in those communities being terrorised by loyalists...the types who are still probably default unionists but can't open their mouths about any issue without the fear that the proud defenders of ulster will shoot up their home.

However it's not something that can be done overnight, as those protestants opposing the fascist elements in their community will need protection. needs much more than a 'down with this sort of thing' approach.