Union flags in Lurgan erected “earlier than normal” have not gone up to “intimidate or mark territory” but rather to celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
“Every year there is a battle of the flags in Lurgan,” said Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie.
“During Easter we see the Irish Tricolour and other republican flags hitting the lampposts, very little is said about it and people get on with their daily lives.
“Yet come the Twelfth of July celebrations there is a chorus of criticism in Lurgan about Union Flags being erected.
“This year has been no different only, due to the Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations, the Union Flags have gone up earlier than normal.
“They have surrounded the Lurgan war memorial, as you would expect, as it will be the focal point of the VE Day commemorations.
“These flags were not put up in Lurgan by masked thugs, they were not put up to intimidate or mark territory, there were not threats, the police and community know who erected the flags as they do it every year.”
Mr Beattie says it is important that elected representatives understand the “importance and complex nature of symbolism and they should not attempt to brandish everyone as thugs for putting them up”.
He added: “If an offence has been committed it is for the police to act; dialogue is always better than finger pointing particularly when that finger seems only to point in one direction.
“The 80th anniversary of VE Day is an important day for many in Northern Ireland as is the Twelfth celebrations, in the same way the Easter uprising is important to many. Let’s understand difference not stigmatise those who commemorate, in what for them, is their community’s traditional manner.”
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