SDLP undermine Equality at City Hall - Parker
Published: 11 September, 2009
Vincent Parker, Sinn Féin Balmoral Representative and Head of Equality and Human Rights for the Party, has condemned SDLP councillors for supporting the reintroduction of unionist emblems and artefacts into the newly refurbished Belfast City Hall in a council vote last week.
Vincent Parker said,
"I am very disappointed at the decision by Belfast City Council, to proceed with the re-installation of unionist artefacts in the City Hall without agreement on the totality of items to be placed in the refurbished City Hall."
He explained that the decision goes against the councils supposed desire outcome, which is to achieve balance for Belfast rate-payers in terms of how they are represented through City Hall displays and artefacts.
"Before Belfast City Hall closed for refurbishment in 2007 it only told the city's history from a Unionist perspective; City Hall is due to open its doors to the public within the next few weeks, but still it will not represent all of the citizens of this city.
Sinn Féin were the only party to support a position that would have ensured Belfast City Hall to re-open its doors with artefacts inside that are representative of all the people of Belfast.
"The fact that the SDLP voted against our proposal on this issue is shameful in that they have once again effectively ensured that the community that they claim to represent are ignored in relation to the city Halls décor on its re-opening.
"The SDLP decision to support the reintroduction of emblems that are clearly divisive and do not represent the many traditions in this city, is mind boggling.
"Belfast City Hall should be a model for good relations and a space in which all the citizens can feel welcome in. Equality should be at the centre of any agreement on emblems, and the SDLP support for the unionist position has undermined Equality at the City Hall.
"Much hard work has been ongoing over recent times to ensure that the City Hall, once reopened, properly reflects the rich diversity and makeup of this city. Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring equality for all." CRÍOCH
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