Stress continues around stress Two controversial loyalty bonfire In northern Ireland, as time rests when they are caused by burning.
In Belfast, a city council committee voted on Wednesday Send contractors to remove a huge pyre On Dongol Road to Meridi Street.
Police service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) declared it a “major event” as the force considers a request to the council to help the contractors to remove it.
Here the independent northern Ireland looks at the history of Bonfire Night and why they have become a political flashpoint and public safety concern this year.
Why are bonfires burnt in northern Ireland?
Every 11 July, bonfires are burnt late in some loyal areas. Northern IrelandTraditional fire is extended beyond the main date, which occurs in the paradising calendar of Protestant loyal orders of the twelfth part of July.
Twelfth The Catholic King James II at the Battle of Boyne in 1690 reminds of the victory of Orange Protestant King William.
Protestant communities bonfires light in tribute to the fire burnt to guide King William.
About 300 bonfires are to be burnt on Thursday and Friday night from the 12 July parade of Orange Order on Saturday.
Some objects for bonfire on political and cultural grounds, especially when they are burnt near nationalist areas and include effigies and flags.
The nationalist region of Belfast is those where people who identify the Irish and support a joint Ireland are traditionally lived. Whereas the loyal regions are those where people who identify the British and traditionally want to remain Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom Live.
What is the dispute this year?
In BelfastA city council committee voted to send contractors to remove a huge funeral pyre near an power substation to the south of the city, providing two hospitals on one site, including asbestos.
On Wednesday night, the Northern Ireland police service said it has received a formal request for assistance from the council. Support contractors to remove bonfire On Dongol Road to Meridi Street.
A PSNI spokesperson said he had declared it as one big eventAnd a strategic coordination group was established with multi-agency partners to ensure a joint understanding and widely assess all the risks associated with this request.
“No decisions have been taken at this stage and we continue to work with our fellow agencies and community representatives on the matter,” he said.
The crowd took the road on Dongol Road in South Belfast late Wednesday night, which was ready to stay on the site all night to protect the bonfire.
Some fireworks were closed and a small bonfire was set, while a car was placed to block the entrance of the site on Meridi Street.
Meanwhile, there has been there Call to remove effigies of migrants in a boat It is placed on a loyal bonfire at Moygachel on the outskirts of Dunganon in co -tarone.
A boat with more than a dozen life-size effigies was unveiled over the bonfire wearing a life jacket. There are many placards under the boat, one stating: “Stop the boats”, and another: “Before the refugees”.
Throughout the night, an Irish tricolor flag was also placed on top of the bonfire, which is to be burnt on Thursday night.
What has been a political response?
Sin fine Said that it is “unimaginable” that the loyalty bonfire in Belfast should be allowed to move forward.
Party MLA Pat Shehan said that the bonfire took the risk of “endangering life, damaging property and risking significant infrastructure.”
When DUP leader Belfast City Council Sarah Banting said the council’s decision to destroy the bonfire was “foolish” and put risking tension with the local community.
In a social media post, he said: “The decision to remove the bonfire was made without adequate consultation or community impact, and we believe that this requires further investigation.”
“This decision is not political, one health and safety one.
“It is foolish and has increased tension in an area which is greatly suffering from interface problems.”
Meanwhile, Church of Ireland Head -headed head Armagh and all Ireland’s primate John McDowell described the effigy of migrants in a boat on a separate bonfire in CO Tyrone as “racist, threatening and aggressive”.
He said: “It is definitely nothing with Christianity or with Protestant Culture and is really inhuman and deeply sub-Christian.”
