Annual Northern Ireland Unionists march stirs tension

It is one of the most divisive days in Northern Ireland's calendar, when Unionists celebrate their Protestant heritage.
But Republicans want the province to be part of a united Ireland and accuse them of using the event to stir tensions.
There are even more challenges this year, because the province is in political limbo.
Al Jazeera's Neave Barker reports from Belfast.
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[@breaddboy]

The tri colour does not represent Sinn Fein, it represents peace between Ireland's people the green and orange Irish and British united in peace the White. That was the meaning behind the flag when the French gave it to Wolftone and that is still it's meaning today.

[@larrydelamb]

They didnt give it to Wolfe Tone. They gave it to Thomas Francis Meagher before the Young Irelanders revolt in I848.

[@breaddboy]

larrydelamb you are right, don't know why I always thought I tri colour started with Tone. thanks for pointing that out. However my point still stands.

[@larrydelamb]

Yes Thomas. The Brexit Bill is published today? With EU/ UK interests at stake the effects on both sides of the border in Ireland may mean the case for ROI quiting also will rise in popularity.

[@breaddboy]

larrydelamb being from the Belfast I'm not sure how the south will feel but I'm pretty sure it's more likely that a United ireland is more possible than the Republic leaving with England. Besides they can never set up a border as it would violate the good Friday agreement and if that happens there will be trouble.

[@drumnykerne1]

The tricolour represents murder and hate to unionist people.

[@johnmckeown9540]

She said she was from Britain - she is right but lives in Ireland....

[@andykane439]

Tax payers,,, oh and tax payers clean the mess up after

[@DoubleAAce]

She is from the uk not ireland

[@ffi1001]

@@DoubleAAce she lives in Ireland

[@finlay1702]

Technically all of the British isles are British

[@christinamcilwaine350]

​@@finlay1702Belfast is Irish

[@evanomairtin1279]

The Irish National Flag (Brat na hÉireann) or 'Irish Tri Colour' is not a 'republican' flag it represents peace between catholics and protastants, so its offensive to see my flag being disrespected, i'm not a suporter of Sinn Féin and i'm not a republican but thats still my flag and i'm proud of it, you would never see the british flag being burned or disrespected in Ireland!!

[@trevorjackson1398]

Evan Ó Máirtín but you would in northern Ireland .

[@James-hp3in]

I am not a bigot I do not have a prejudice against the Irish but I have seen many British flags being burned with shouts of a free Ireland so if they wish to disrespect my flag then I see no other choice but to turn a blind eye to people burning the Irish flag

[@francenjensen608]

​@@James-hp3in😮

[@francenjensen608]

​@@James-hp3in😂

[@danielkelly53]

some people are just stuck in the past the British empire is dead

[@ChuckChuckWood]

@Straight White British Protestant Ha ha ha!! Sure it does...

[@apemangeezer6969]

@Straight White British Protestant I've seen you every where. You are obviously a troll account

[@Valencetheshireman927]

@Wee Man films -No ! He’s just a loyal unionist who wants to speak his mind . There’s nothing wrong with that besides by your logic you must be a troll if you’ve been able to see him so many times in these videos it just mean you’ve seen them a lot .

[@williammonaghan9147]

@@Valencetheshireman927 unionists are pathetic honestly.u guys have no backing from here(England)ur a disgrace to britain tbh.either get along or leave

[@Valencetheshireman927]

@@williammonaghan9147 Get along with who? The Irish? We haven’t had any major problems with them since the nineties. 🤷‍♂️ We’re British just as you are so we should be sticking out for each other. Your interests are our interests and vice versa. How are we pathetic? A disgrace? What are you on about? We get good and bad people same as in England. We do have backing in England otherwise we would have been betrayed and traded off to the Irish decades ago. I have seen English KZbin accounts that support Northern Ireland’s people so thankfully I can say we still do have the support of people from England. Thanks for your response to last years comment but that comment I wrote is no longer relevant since the KZbin account I was writing about has sadly been deleted.

[@iancoyle7944]

That's not an Irish republican flag, it's the flag of Ireland a country you muppet!

[@Marc-kr8pc]

It is the flag of the Republic of Ireland hence it is a republican flag.

[@BC-ef8vu]

It is the flag of the republic of Ireland, hence irish republican flag

[@bobbills2953]

Burning the tricolour is like wanting war.

[@johnirvine9942]

I don’t understand why people are still fighting over this. They should just leave each other be.

[@bobbills2953]

@@johnirvine9942 aye, well said.

[@mijicmugendo]

@@johnirvine9942 The problem is British immigrants refused to go home when Ireland was liberated

[@johnirvine9942]

@@mijicmugendo Ok, but why are they still upset about it.

[@mijicmugendo]

@@johnirvine9942 I nearly forgot both ian paisley and the head of the orange order ( British KKK) refused to shake the hand of the wife of the sitting British prime minister because she was a catholic. That was only about 15 years ago.

[@tellingfoxtales]

Make Ireland whole again.

[@Marc-kr8pc]

I agree under British rule, like the old days.

[@hapennyproductions3800]

Thepr0df4ther dream on

[@Marc-kr8pc]

@Night Shade They aren't ruling over anyone Northern Ireland is part of the UK the majority of people here are British Citizens. Besides throughout history countries have been rulling over other countries, it is just how the world works.

[@Marc-kr8pc]

@Night Shade It was a joke, I thought most people would of got that.

[@harryflashman3451]

Ireland has only ever been whole under the British

[@alexanderrutland6349]

What a waste of wood

[@adrianreyes1877]

Free Ireland all 32 counties!!! End colonialism. Free Palestine Free Kurdistan

[@coojsta69]

Adrian Reyes free kekistan

[@missyo1283]

Adrian Reyes thank you

[@chriswatterson2420]

ADRIAN I AGREE WITH YOU, AND 26 CAN BE FREE OF THE EU, AND 6 CAN BE FREE OF THE EU AND PUT UP WITH A LOT OF LEECHES FROM THE DUMP OF 26, UNTIL THE NEAR DAYS WHEN WE BOOT EM BACK DOWN TO LEECH OF THE 26 INSTEAD OF THE ULSTERMANS SWEAT, YEAH IM ALL UP FOR IT BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE UDA UVF RHC UFF NDD SHANKILL ROAD PROTESTANT BOYS THE BUTCHERS AND IF IVE FORGOT A FEW IM SORRY OURKID BUT I WAS IN LONDONDERRY THE DAY AND GOT LOTS OF NICE CHAT FROM SOME TAIGS AND FENIANS WHICH SURPRISED ME BUT HEYHO AWAY YOU GO, IM SHATTERED NOW,,, OH YES ONE MORE BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE WILLIAM FELLOW NICE WEE JOB YOU DID AT THE BOYNE, I HOPE THAT INDIAN DUDE DOES THE REBLAND LOTS OF GOOD STUFF . THEIR GOING TO NEED IT WITH WHATS ABOUT TO HAPPEN TO THE EU AND THE INSTABILITY TO THE BANKING SET UP

[@martinbrennan1161]

Free crisps

[@nicdel-villa8068]

were a british. .. saying it with a accent irish . ahah

[@indigo5561]

We're, learn to spell.

[@larrydelamb]

When the Z team currency system collapses they wont be burning pallets in the middle of the summer.

[@nicdel-villa8068]

indigo thanks!

[@nicdel-villa8068]

larrydelamb yea.. i thought they don't even want to be part of uk anymore?.. cause brexit..

[@MarforSonOfLucifer]

Theres no such thing as a British accent, so your statement is stupid :')

[@thestonedabbot9551]

I just dont understand why *(burns Irish flag)* people seem to hate my culture *(marches paramilitaries thru civilian neighbourhoods)* its honestly like theyre out to destroy me *(throws bottles at old women)*

[@GraveVisitations]

I bet half of these didn't even finish school 😂 history teacher pulling his/her hair out

[@toriesout2702]

NI's segregation, homophobia and anti-abortion laws are an embarrassment to the rest of the UK.

[@david1445IRE]

Kekistani nationalist it’s not morally decent to deny someone a basic right like getting married

[@andrewkingston5360]

Thats why it should be united irelans

[@apemangeezer6969]

Wee bit ironic considering that the Irish Tri colour means peace but okay

[@calumcooper6841]

But by definition they're not British

[@Valencetheshireman927]

They are though . British is their identity

[@tgm_rka8888]

J 19 they are British citizens but they have Irish blood

[@tgm_rka8888]

@Caden Patton Hamilton lol just because someone claims to be a certain ethnicity doesn’t mean they are. If I am Greek and I claim to be french am I french? If a man claims to be a women is he a women? No he’s not. If the people of Northern Ireland want to remain in the United Kingdom thats there decision.

[@tgm_rka8888]

@@mr_flacohernandez3196British isles has 2 islands. Great Britain and Ireland. The Island of Ireland is mainly composed of ethnic Irish. The island of Great Britain is mainly composed of English, welsh, Scottish. ( although I live in Hounslow and I’m not sure if I’m in England or Pakistan sometimes 😂).

[@roymarius1634]

Every single native born and living on a british island is technically british, whether or not they are english, irish, scottish, unionist, republican, etc

[@roberthayes3009]

Everyone born on the Island of Ireland is classed as Irish in England and Everywhere else too, No matter what Passport a person has.....No Irish Unionist has ever been able to Justify the Partition of Ireland and Never can, Everyone should Google MODELLING IRISH UNIFICATION and ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF A UNITED IRELAND

[@silviamc251]

Just a thought, would a bonfire that big be allowed on mainland Britain? Wouldn’t be allowed where I live.

[@paulproductions9213]

Maybe Ireland don't want to become Britanistan.

[@hammou1312]

It's not about Immigrants. Irish people are welcoming.

[@Shell2164]

@@hammou1312this didn’t age well 😂

[@johnmichel5541]

Northern Ireland Leave UK...!!! Northern Ireland United Ireland...!!!

[@matthewmclaughlin1882]

John Michel yeah i agree

[@Valencetheshireman927]

Northern Ireland wants to be part of the UK so you should respect that decision especially if you’re a foreigner from the ROI who has no right to interfere in NI affairs .

[@TheJellyCentral]

@@Valencetheshireman927 Not all of Northern Ireland. Only recently they did a survey and the majority want united Ireland. If they love the crown so much then why don’t they move to England? the only reason I could imagine they like their situation in the North is because the UK pump millions into it every year.

[@TheJellyCentral]

@@Valencetheshireman927 Oh and it’s mad that you just said we have no right to interfere with NI affairs. We completely do.

[@Valencetheshireman927]

@@TheJellyCentral Oh , really why ? Northern Ireland is separate to the ROI so the only times the Irish have the right to interfere is in circumstances set out in the good Friday agreement but that agreement does not say you have the right to interfere with Northern Ireland’s place in the U.K. or anything major like that .

[@oliversherman2414]

As a Brit from England, I send my best wishes to our Northern Irish friends and brothers fighting to preserve their identity. Never surrender!

[@newshades7009]

Alla akbs

[@irishduck2826]

Their identity was stolen after the ulster plantations

[@bosvegasboscombe388]

As an English man They are not British and never will be! They are Irish ☘️

[@davidbunting4045]

We're British 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@davidbunting4045]

@Fíonán Murphy go home we are home born here won't be going anywhere

[@davidbunting4045]

@Fíonán Murphy bollocks

[@davidbunting4045]

@Fíonán Murphy couldn't careless

[@In-Christ-Alone]

we are 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@MsDboyy]

Free Northern Ireland

[@Valencetheshireman927]

It’s IS free you fool !!

[@Valencetheshireman927]

@Fíonán Murphy Just because it’s part of the U.K. and you don’t want it to be that does not mean it isn’t free . Northern Ireland is free , free to choose its own destiny regardless of what individuals outside of the country demand of it .

[@user-cj1br1hx9q]

It's their culture, so it is.

[@liamwilson538]

Imagine the uproar if we burned the union jacks

[@jimmycumslayer9439]

Paddy’s do that all the time

[@johnkelly879]

King William was Dutch

[@tiktoksal99]

republican power

[@martinbrennan1161]

Is the same as battery power

[@JMBPro]

This shows that we're not Irish, so all those idiots trying to make us Irish should realise that and stop trying to take our country away; there is only The republic of Ireland (Ireland) and the United kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

[@ohhhyeahhh3950]

then why are you living in Ireland?

[@JMBPro]

I'm not though, I'm living in the UK in (Northern Ireland). Ireland is the (Republic of Ireland).

[@ohhhyeahhh3950]

Northern IRELAND

[@JMBPro]

NORTHERN Ireland is a different country

[@johnmckeown9540]

Well how comes your ancestors had to cross the Irish sea to get to it....

[@MrBillcale]

up the ra

[@martinbrennan1161]

Yeh we love the ra

[@CharlesLunt-yf7zh]

When is it

[@colinjoyce4685]

That buring pyre collapsing reminded me a little of the twin towers collapsing on 911.

[@Abdullah_0083]

AHAHAHAHA

[@colinjoyce4685]

@@Abdullah_0083 Nice One Abdullah, Salam Alykum (sorry, I can't write in arabic). They burn the Palestinian flag in some of those bon fines also.

[@JewTube001]

That's quite the pyre eh

[@tonyholohan2847]

How did they get the pallets for the bonfires

[@coreyfox7944]

Cops

[@JosephBoyce-tj7pm]

A message for her u are in lreland

[@macky4611]

Proud of Britain but live in ireland 😂

[@RevoeLad]

The 6 counties of Ulster have never been part of Ireland. It’s always been British or it’s own kingdom.

[@mn5499]

I stand with the unionists.

[@slavianalbanovich9025]

👎👎

[@WjfhdhShshshsh]

Most of them too fat to stand or don't have kneecaps

[@user-us6mg9fv1m]

Now that... Is a bonfire

[@deanwhale367]

Ireland republic save there people in the past 1916 raising and the country.

[@aldairmcveigh6004]

And for anyone that tries to call the loyalist culture Racist in anyway, skip to 2.30 and take a good look at the left side of the video

[@johnmckeown9540]

Bollocks. If they are truly inclusive - is he muslim or catholic? Token gesture by a racist, supremist and non-inclusive group. They dress militarily but are nothing but disorganised thugs and hypocrites in pressed uniforms.

[@ChuckChuckWood]

little suspicious there Aldair, saying "we're not racist, look" - straight outta the gate 😂

[@narendrapatel9144]

UISTER IS BRITISH NO SURRENDER GOD BLESS HM KING WILLIAM THE THIRD

[@cianw2942]

Ulster isnt British. Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan are all in the Republic. Maybe buy yourself a map and educate yourself

[@user-mx4sm9cv7e]

I thought the state was whoever was the ethnic majority yet Protestants/Unionists are a minority doesn't make any sense sounds like occupation

[@newshades7009]

Your queen was hot when she was young

[@patrickferran1678]

Them people need Education.

[@tonyholohan2847]

"Its sinn feins fleg"

[@Valencetheshireman927]

Sinn Fein is connected to the IRA who both support a unified Ireland. Since the flag represents Ireland it’s fine to represent the oppression and fighting unionists face to express their loyalty against Sinn Fein and nationalism .

[@user-go3jv8rw7i]

@@Valencetheshireman927 did you just say Irish republicanism is oppression?

[@Valencetheshireman927]

@@user-go3jv8rw7i The IRA is oppressive to the people in Northern Ireland who’s friends and families died at their hands so yes Irish Republicanism is oppression to the people of Northern Ireland (Unionists) because they naturally associate it with the IRA.

[@user-go3jv8rw7i]

@@Valencetheshireman927 the IRA and Irish republicanism are different things. Ones an ideology and ones a group of people. The IRA never oppressed anyone, never systemically oppressed anyone, like the British army did

[@Valencetheshireman927]

@@user-go3jv8rw7i I am aware that Irish Republicanism is an ideology an idea and that the IRA is a group . Did I say otherwise anywhere ? You wrote that the IRA hasn’t oppressed anyone and yet they wrongly slaughtered HUNDREDS of innocent people in the Troubles . You can sympathise with the ideals of the group if you wish but you surely can’t deny that it is a terrorist group and oppressed the people of Northern Ireland by killing people for their beliefs .

[@texaslibertyadvocatenetwork]

The beginning of the end of the dignity of mankind began when Hanoverians took over...

[@fionanmurphy5352]

lads i'm lukewarm on a united Irish but come on it represents you

[@chrismullan7191]

you cant even spell.

[@lil_timmy7443]

#NOSURRENDER

[@Protestant16907]

Grow up in a British state, born in a British country spend British money ,live in British homes,have British jobs , then call urselves Irish 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 paint it any colour u like ur still British yes it’s Northern Ireland

[@seamusmcfadden15]

This is funny , ask most ppl in Britain and they think these unionists are insane and want nothing to do with them and think their irish

[@VidWatcher-v4j]

26 + 6 = 1

[@leerowly384]

God save the queen!

[@andrewkingston5360]

Hope ya get knee capped

[@Valencetheshireman927]

I hope the UVF visits ye !!

[@irishduck2826]

In a box 😂

[@normansmith4736]

this is our culture respect

[@bobsmith5441]

Lol tragic

[@frasermckevitt2417]

And you don’t respect there’s

[@Irish_G.O.A.T]

Stinkin

[@paddybrady9492]

well said martin..

[@jimmycumslayer9439]

Go on lads!

[@blackmanjoe154]

Rock apes.

[@gremlinuk1968]

I have family from both sides !! ,, but growen up as a prod,, , but ! can say all my family love the 12th !! & have friends, catholic ,that love the 12th as well !!!

[@user-mx4sm9cv7e]

You have Catholic Friends who enjoy hearing profane anti-catholic songs and insults thrown at them interesting?

[@lukefallon6460]

Imbred scum ÉIRE 32

[@angryjock3938]

2:35 see the black loyalist, racist sinn fein must hate that even more

[@larrydelamb]

Er Gerry Adams carried Nelson Mandelas coffin at his funeral.

[@robbiewright9145]

he would've carried Ian Brady's coffin if it meant more votes for Sinn Fein

[@Marc-kr8pc]

larrydelamb One terrorist carrying another terrorists coffin.