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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Shauna Corr

PSNI urged to explain "seemingly different approaches" at 'Protect Our Statues' and Black Lives Matter protests

A Policing Board member has called on the PSNI to explain the lack of fines at the 'Protect Our Statues' protest, compared to last week's Black Lives Matter demo.

Several hundred people gathered at Belfast City Hall on Saturday afternoon, some with banners and union flags.

Police later confirmed that no fines or community resolution notices had been issued.

Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray said: "Due to the nature of the different protests and gatherings, community police continued to engage, explain and encourage people to comply with the Health Protection Regulations.

"No arrests were made, and no fines or Community Resolution Notices were issued today (Saturday).

"However, we had a substantial evidence gathering operation in place, and evidence gathered will now be reviewed and we will work with our partners in the Public Prosecution Service as appropriate."

This came a week after police said "a significant number of Community Resolution Notices and fines" were handed to Black Lives Matter demonstrators in both Belfast and Derry.

Alliance MLA John Blair said: "Accountability is a vital part of modern policing here and questions need to be asked about the seemingly different approaches to these two protests."

He has called on the PSNI to provide a full report on their response compared to Black Lives Matter protests.

"The PSNI has a challenging job and receives support from the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland, including Alliance, in its role of upholding the rule of law,” added Mr Blair.

"The Chief Constable is responsible for operational policing matters and I have now raised this matter with the Policing Board, asking for a full report on the matter.

"People should not be gathering in large groups in the midst of a pandemic. They are putting into risk not only their own lives, but the lives of others. However, the PSNI needs to apply a consistent approach to all such protests or else they risk damaging the community confidence in the organisation, particularly from ethnic minority members of our society."

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