Racist flag 'put up to cause offence'
Controversy has flared over racist flags in Ballymena - including one directly outside the front door of offices jointly used by the Social Security Agency and Housing Executive.
The White Nationalist Party (WNP) flag was put up on a street lamp beside Twickenham House at Mount Street in the Co Antrim town. Others appeared in the nearby Clonavon district which has previously seen racist attacks on homes.
It is believed to be the first time WNP flags have gone up in Ballymena, where rows have flared in recent years about loyalist paramilitary and Irish Tricolour flags.
A police spokesman said they were aware of the WNP flag at Mount Street.
One Ballymena resident said it seemed those who put up the WNP flag thought they would cause most offence by placing it near the joint offices. "Twickenham House would be a place where foreign nationals, just like the rest of us, would probably visit as a point of contact with the Government and it appears it was designed to make foreigners feel particularly unwelcome."
Ballymena's Ulster Unionist Mayor, Alderman Joe McKernan, said: "The erection of this new flag in no way reflects the views of the vast majority of people."
A Social Security Agency spokeswoman said it had no comment on the flag as it was not on its property. A Housing Executive spokeswoman said: "The flag was not on Housing Executive property and we do not have details with regard to its erection or its removal."
In recent years there has been an increase in racist incidents in Ballymena. Racist stickers were put up and homes of foreign workers were attacked.
Belfast Telegraph - 23 July 2003
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