The Five Demands

Co Antrim residents protest at flag removal (UTV News)
Residents of Ballyclare have taken to the streets in protest after the PSNI took down flags from the area.
Police say the flags were illegal, but locals claim they were simply commemorating the Battle of the Somme.
A PSNI spokesman said police are “liaising with community leaders in efforts to peacefully resolve erection of number of illegal flags in the area”.
It is believed after police removed flags, up to 150 residents came out of their homes and blocked roads on Saturday afternoon in protest at the removal.
A number of flags associated with paramilitaries have also been erected in the area.
Phil Hamilton, PUP spokesman for East Antrim, spoke to UTV from the scene. He said people in Ballyclare are angry:
“The flags that have been taken down have been unionist flags and two Ulster flags, which are the flags of our country and I was arguing with the PSNI that these flags are not illegal.
“They were erecting flags in Ballyclare in protest of the PSNI’s action. I think a lot of people are very angry with the police, having not consulted with the community, and I think this is a knee jerk reaction by the PSNI – a decision that hasn’t been thought through,” he said.
Mr Hamilton said there were a number of community leaders on the ground to ensure peace in the area. He has called for more action from the PSNI.
“It’s pretty tense in the area,” he said, “I make a direct appeal to anyone who has influence for calm heads in this time.
“I would to like to let people know that behind the scenes there are people like myself working tirelessly to try to get an agreement for the community.
“There’s going to be talks on Monday, hopefully with local PSNI commanders. We need to have answers why this decision was made.
“It seems to me there’s been very little, or none, community consultation.
“I think, especially when we talk about flags which are pretty contentious, we need to consult the full community.”