DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has condemned the burning of “posters, flags or photos of serving politicians” after a number of election posters and effigies of political figures were placed on bonfires on July 12.
After a statement, Mr Donaldson said: “While the overwhelming number of Twelfth Century celebrations have been wildly successful, some events require more work and other displays should be condemned outright as wrong.”
“Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of celebrating my identity around the world and educating others about my identity. At no time have burning posters, flags or photos of serving politicians been seen as part of that.
“Neither have slogans or expressions advocating sectarian violence against anyone in this society, regardless of their political position or religious views.
“I was also shocked to learn that the Twelfth awards were being destroyed in County Tyrone and that other hate crimes against the Loyal Orders were to be investigated across the county.
“We have a rich Ulster-British cultural identity. I want people to focus on celebrating and displaying our culture rather than denigrating others.
“When Republican terrorists waged a hate campaign against people of my faith, I condemned and stood against it. If anyone tries to foment hatred, I will cry out and take a firm stand against it.”
The DUP leader added: “All politicians in Northern Ireland must be consistent in their condemnation of hate.”
Sir Jeffrey’s comments come after an image of Naomi Long and Sinn Fein leaders Michelle O’Neill and Mary Lou McDonald was described as “utterly ill” by the justice secretary.
The Alliance Party leader said images of the Glenfield fire in Carrickfergus had been shared with her and confirmed she had forwarded them to the PSNI.
The sight of election posters on bonfires and sectarian slander has once again made headlines in recent days, with condemnations across the political spectrum.
Ms Long said she had become “accustomed” to seeing her posters at the stake and said she “thought nothing could shock me anymore”.
“Late last night I received photos of effigies of me, @moneillsf and @MaryLouMcDonald hung from the Glenfield bonfire in Carrickfergus,” she tweeted.
“I am not sharing the images because of the risk of distressing families who have lost loved ones to suicide. And because they are sick.
“However, I will share them and the photos of the bonfire builders proudly standing in front of their creation with the police.”
The East Belfast politician said she felt “physically ill” because of the images.
“These were not last-minute additions. There are pictures of a “nice day” for children by this fire with our effigies hanging from it. Some local businesses have even sponsored it,” she added.
What kind of parent would see that and think it’s acceptable for their child to see?
“I felt physically sick to those photos—not just the effigies, but the festering hatred and sectarianism they represent; hatred that not only perpetuates in our community, but which is passed on to the next generation as normal. This has to stop. Our children deserve better.”
Her party colleague Stephen Farry expressed his support, calling it “absolutely disgusting”.
“Solidarity with Naomi and all others who are threatened and abused on bonfires,” he added.
Southern Down Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard called it “premeditated, despicable hatred”.
“During the Assembly’s election campaign, some of our billboards in South Down were damaged when Michelle and Mary Lou’s faces were cut out with a knife
“We knew they would probably show up further down the road.”
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie called it “utterly mean”.
“Putting effigies on bonfires does not represent the union and union culture I believe in,” he said.
“Sitting still cannot be an option.”
In a statement about the effigies, Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly said it was “wrong, deeply offensive and a hate crime”.
“Sinn Fein has reported a number of hate crimes to the PSNI related to bonfires,” he added.
“It is the responsibility of union and community leaders to stand up to these displays of sectarian hatred and make it clear that there is no place for them in this society.
“It’s also just not good enough for bonfire builders to say they’ve made ‘a democratic decision’ to commit hate crimes.
“Police say they have gathered evidence about these hate crimes, what the public needs to see is action.
“All of this highlights the need to protect the regulations surrounding bonfires, which have become a necessity.”
On Tuesday, Sinn Fein councilor Gary McCleave revealed that his children asked him why “daddy is on a bonfire” after the politician’s poster appeared on one of the Eleventh Night pyres in Belfast.
Meanwhile, DUP MLA David Brooks lashed out at “pathetic scribbled messages” at an East Belfast bonfire after a number of sectarian slander and election posters were depicted at the stake.
In a statement, the PSNI said: “Police are aware of images that have surfaced showing effigies placed on a bonfire in Carrickfergus and are investigating.”