Belfast 32CSM On Recent PSNI Violence

Fan Attacked By PSNI For Recording Their Abuse

The actions of the PSNI on Saturday May 3rd are a stark reminder of the true nature of British policing in Ireland. Buried beneath the facade of normalisation and community safety partnerships remains a sectarian militia hell-bent on causing disruption and division with their acts of violence.

Before the end of Saturday’s Irish cup final between Cliftonville FC and Dungannon Swifts, held at Windsor Park, the PSNI had pre-planned a heavy and antagonistic presence where it wasn’t needed, slap bang in the middle of Cliftonville fans. A wall of armoured jeeps with heavily clad riot squads (backed up with British military personnel in PSNI uniforms) formed and immediately began pushing, screaming at and eventually beating fans with batons and shields, this naturally had a reaction from those fans defending themselves.

Two Year Old Boy Almost Knocked From Father's Shoulders

Videos emerged throughout the day showing the violence meted out to fans, particularly children. One video shows a family including a young boy evidently terrified, being forcibly pushed behind an armoured jeep, another shows a two year old boy almost knocked off his father's shoulders by a police riot shield before the crown force member walks on like nothing happened.

Further down Boucher road at the entrance to the loyalist Village area, lightly uniformed police allowed loyalists to come out onto the road to antagonise fans walking home, this again had a natural reaction from some fans who were immediately met with riot police and faced more batons, this while the “police” conversed and laughed with the loyalists.

The PSNI, again needlessly and menacingly, followed fans across to the Donegal road, almost running over pedestrians at a crossing, with sirens blaring and riot police screaming like they were going into battle.

The blame for the “trouble” portrayed in the media lies solely with the PSNI and it further exposes their nefarious and politically motivated nature when policing a certain section of our community. We do note, with no surprise, the lack of condemnation from the great and good of the political elite at stormont who are instrumental in allowing this crown force to operate with impunity, run child informers, harass and intimidate at will and push the normalisation of British policing.

Unlike those who bowed the knee and gave up their political roots, our message remains the same, reject all forms of British political policing in Ireland.