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DUP rejects bonfire effigy of refugees in small boat

BBC The picture shows a model of a small boat with figures inside on top of a tall bonfire constructed mainly from pallets. Signs saying "Stop The Boats" and "Veterans Before Refugees" are on the bonfire and a Union flag and loyalist flag are at the bottom of the pictureBBC
The bonfire in Moygashel is due to be lit on Thursday night

The placing of an effigy of refugees in a boat on top of a bonfire in County Tyrone "should not take place", the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has said.

The bonfire in Moygashel is due to be lit on Thursday night.

The model of a small boat with several figures inside is on top of a banner saying "stop the boats" and "veterans before refugees".

Sinn Féin Fermanagh and South Tyrone assembly member Colm Gildernew said it was a "vile and a deplorable act and "clearly a hate crime".

PA Media The picture shows a model of a small boat with figures inside in orange fluorescent vests. Below is a sign which says 'STOP THE BOATS' PA Media
Police say they are "aware of an item placed on a bonfire at the Moygashel area"

He said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) now needs to urgently remove the effigy and "our political leaders in this area need to step up and condemn this absolutely unacceptable behaviour".

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said bonfires on 11 July are "a historic and cultural tradition stretching back to the fires lit to welcome the arrival of King William lll" and "should be positive cultural celebrations".

It said it supported "those within our community that wish to celebrate their culture by continuing with that tradition in a peaceful, positive and safe way", but that the "placing of flags, effigies or other items on bonfires is not part of that tradition and should not take place".

Gildernew said it was "deplorable" and "an absolutely disgusting act, fuelled by sickening racist and far-right attitudes".

"This is a clear incitement to hatred and must be removed immediately," he added.

"Those who come to our island to make it their home are not the enemy."

SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said he had reported the display to the police.

"Those responsible for this hateful display claim to be celebrating British culture," he said.

"Let's be clear, racism and intimidation are not culture. This isn't pride, it's poison.

"It is an affront to every decent person in our community."

Alliance councillor Eddie Roofe said the placing of the model of a small boat of refugees on the bonfire in Moygashel was "despicable".

"It is nothing but a blatant act of racism and hatred, and cannot be excused as a celebration of culture.

"Those responsible only seek to incite fear and spread far-right beliefs and do not represent the community as a whole."

Amnesty International's Patrick Corrigan also called for the removal of the effigy and said it was a "vile, dehumanising act that fuels hatred and racism".

"It cruelly mocks the suffering of people who risk everything to flee war, persecution, and hardship in search of safety," he said.

Colm Gildernew, with grey hair and grey beard, in blue jacket, with light grey shirt and navy tie
Sinn Féin Fermanagh and South Tyrone assembly member Colm Gildernew called for the removal of the effigy from the bonfire and said it was a "clear incitement to hatred"

In a statement, a PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are aware of an item placed on a bonfire at the Moygashel area."

Their inquiries are continuing, they added.

Bonfires are lit annually in some unionist areas across Northern Ireland to usher in the Twelfth of July, the main date in the parading season.

The majority are lit on 11 July.